Search found 20 matches

by JayGatsby
8 Oct 2015, 12:52pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Being rear ended
Replies: 45
Views: 3249

Re: Being rear ended

toomsie wrote:One of my biggest fears in cycling is being rear ended. Junctions and rounderabouts do not bother me so much. But apparently, being rear ended accounts fo 3%-4% of all accidents on the road. I guess it is comforting to know this. The other issue that issues that I may have are similar to a car, so I am used to them. Cars pulling out at junction , on comming cars etc.


It happened to me. 3 years of whiplash pain which has only just begun improving after physio and CBT. Luckily my claim went well and I was compensated. 4% maybe, but a 100% pain in the ass.
by JayGatsby
26 Jan 2015, 12:16pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Blaze light - genius or damp squib?
Replies: 21
Views: 2880

Re: Blaze light - genius or damp squib?

Notwithstanding the merit earned by the inventor of this device, I think it's a useless gimmick. Having seen a few in action, I can confirm that other road users don't see a nice clear bike shaped light display but instead a most fuzzy, jittery blob of a dull green colour dancing about the tarmack. It resembles nothing.
by JayGatsby
15 Jan 2015, 3:18pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: ASL and motorcyclists
Replies: 43
Views: 5058

Re: ASL and motorcyclists

The only scenario I dislike is when a motorcyclist, having overtaken a queue of traffic on the right, stops in the ASL but in such a way that it prevents anyone else from entering it from the right side by occupying that gap. I have ended up on the right side of a car at red lights a number of times that way and it's rather unpleasant.
Otherwise I don't care if they're in the ASL, so long as they keep a safe distance.
by JayGatsby
15 Jan 2015, 1:40pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Vomit-inducing content from the Guardian
Replies: 57
Views: 5757

Re: Vomit-inducing content from the Guardian

>realises the Guardian is terrible newspaper

I could have saved you the trouble of a lifetime of reading that publication.
by JayGatsby
17 Nov 2014, 2:08pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Give way to pavement cyclist when turning into side road?
Replies: 22
Views: 2712

Re: Give way to pavement cyclist when turning into side road

I'm surprised the OP even knows rule 170, a large number of motorists it seems are ignorant of it and beep in protest at pedestrians who have the temerity to cross a road they are turning into. Sadly cyclists appear equally ignorant of this rule and ping their bell in equal, but misplaced frustration. Personally I always let them cross if I turn into a road. It's just so much nicer for all parties that way.
by JayGatsby
16 Jun 2014, 9:41am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Any chronic whiplash sufferers here?
Replies: 9
Views: 10871

Re: Any chronic whiplash sufferers here?

Thanks. There's obviously the issue of financing treatment that NHS won't cover. What physio I had was abandoned because I was suddenly told the pain was chronic and there was nothing more they could do for me. I protested because my improvement had been constant over the course of 6 sessions, then suddenly they stopped it. As a layman even I think there's no logic to STOP a treatment which is clearly working. I guess I'll have to keep pestering my GP until I get something.
by JayGatsby
13 Jun 2014, 5:05pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Any chronic whiplash sufferers here?
Replies: 9
Views: 10871

Any chronic whiplash sufferers here?

I've had this for 2 years after a rear shunt by a car. If anyone else has long lasting whiplash symptoms after an accident I'd be interested to hear how you cope with yours as the care I received has basically done nothing to improve it.
by JayGatsby
17 Apr 2014, 9:50am
Forum: On the road
Topic: RTA - Insurance details
Replies: 12
Views: 3752

Re: RTA - Insurance details

Go here: http://stayinsured.askmid.com/about-askMID.html

For 4 pounds you can run a check if you have the car registration number. I have done it before and the website is reliable and genuine.
by JayGatsby
16 Apr 2014, 4:42pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Name the landmark
Replies: 101
Views: 18001

Re: Name the landmark

Lichfield Cathedral.
What did I win?
by JayGatsby
16 Apr 2014, 1:26pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Cycling Accident, help needed...
Replies: 6
Views: 2718

Re: Cycling Accident, help needed...

Hope you're on the mend. If you have whiplash I can recommend you keep moving - nothing fancy, go for a walk, carry on as normal. Maybe don't exercise, but don't confine yourself to bed rest either. Voltarol Gel is amazing at taking the edge off the pain. A nice hot shower will also warm up the muscles and ease tension. You can get heat pads as well to help. You will improve and get better. Just remember to keep a receipt for everything you buy :wink:
by JayGatsby
14 Apr 2014, 4:09pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Crikey - Losing my bottle!!!
Replies: 18
Views: 4610

Re: Crikey - Losing my bottle!!!

ChrisPAmbulance wrote:Out on the road on Saturday morning, I had three near misses.

1. "Person" turned right directly across me forcing me to swerve into the path of other traffic (Probably a candidate for a SMIDSY or ICBB2LCIAABMWD (you work it out)) in Rugeley, Staffs.

2. Very close pass from a People Carrier on the A51 near Lichfield

3. Another even closer pass on the A513 crossing Cannock Chase (Won't need to shave my right leg for the summer now!)

For the rest of the trip back, I found that I was flinching every time I heard traffic coming up behind me and shot over into the gutter when they did, nearly getting off when there was pavement.

Has anyone else experienced this loss of nerve? - Does it last?


Having Streetviewed these roads on Google maps, personally I wouldn't dare venture out there on my bicycle. What's the speed limit for traffic? Yes I know we should be able to cycle safely on these roads, but I wouldn't feel safe at all doing so.
by JayGatsby
14 Apr 2014, 1:05pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Cycling Accident, help needed...
Replies: 6
Views: 2718

Re: Cycling Accident, help needed...

Axe1986 wrote:Hi Guys,

I was hit by a car coming off a motorway junction on Thursday this week, typical cycling accident, bike is written off, and so is my right hand side of my body, head and neck. My first priority is recovery but while I'm off work id like to get my claim in motion, the problem is there are so many places and so many horror stories, does anyone have any positive feedback for claims companies? Who to use? Who not to use? My main requirement is the replacement of my bike and gear. Personal injury is a back seat thing, but i will pursue it because I'm genuinely in some serious pain. The CTC number has put me through to Slater & Gordon, who i have spoken to and they want to represent the claim, but i don't want to rush into bed with the first people i talk to, i have seen BIKELINE online but can't find any recent feedback for them.

Im lucky and thankful to even be posting on here asking these questions, so any help is massively appreciated.

Thanks all


Sorry to hear about your accident, I hope you make a full and speedy recovery.

As a victim of a crash too I can give you the following advice and also tell you about Slater & Gordon as they have acquired the firm Pannone which had been managing my claim until the takeover.

In order of priority, do the following things:

1 - see a GP and list all your symptoms, however minor. Even psychological symptoms if you have any. This will go on your medical file and will be relevant later on.

2 - keep a receipt for absolutely everything. If you take public transport to see a doctor, get a receipt for that. If you've missed time off work, get your employer to confirm it represents x amount of loss to you. If you get your bike repaired, again keep a receipt. Did I mention you should keep a receipt for everything? Keep a receipt. If you buy medecine, what are you going to do? keep the receipt. Put them all in a folder in chronological order.

3 - if you haven't done so yet, phone the police to report the crash.

4 - keep a pain diary. Make entries in it every day.

I note that you say your priority is to get your claim in motion, but I'd disagree. First is your health, and although your injury is 'back seat' for now, your symptoms may get worse before they get better, especially if you have whiplash which can take several days to reach its peak.

Therefore see a doc, get treatment and keep track of everything you are doing and document it with evidence.

Now, onto the claim. Slater & Gordon will no doubt offer you a no win no fee agreement, which is recommended as it means you won't have to spend a penny and get to keep all your compensation if you win. My experience with the firm I originally instructed (which later got taken over by S&G) was not great and I still haven't received full compensation despite the accident being 2 years ago and the Defendant having admitted full liability.

This is because instructing medical experts, obtaining your medical records and the general hassle of trying to get someone to speak to all add up to make these things long and slow. It'll likely be done all remotely and you'll never meet your lawyers face to face. In some ways I regret not having shopped around more because it is frustrating not being able to meet lawyers and case handlers in person. I would have probably gone for a smaller firm, still on a no win no fee basis, had I been more careful. These big firms treat thousands of claims like this and it's pretty much a factory - you'll be another number to them.
by JayGatsby
10 Apr 2014, 10:09am
Forum: On the road
Topic: York 'bad' cycling video
Replies: 107
Views: 7322

Re: Why You Don't Remove Jacket Whilst Cycling.

What happens exactly at 2:26? I can't quite determine whose fault that was.
by JayGatsby
3 Apr 2014, 3:41pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Cyclist killed in the City this morning
Replies: 16
Views: 3886

Re: Cyclist killed in the City this morning

[XAP]Bob wrote:But the bike gets caught on the wheels and dragged left?


I suppose it can. In the course of the collision, the rider comes off the bike so they can both end up in different places. Who knows, maybe the rider was moved, maybe the lorry driver manoeuvered after. Poor chap, and [rude word removed] lorries, seriously. Paris has banned them during most daytime hours. I know London is experiencing a construction boom these days but Paris didn't exactly grind to a halt and descend into civil war as a result of the ban.
by JayGatsby
3 Apr 2014, 3:31pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Cyclist killed in the City this morning
Replies: 16
Views: 3886

Re: Cyclist killed in the City this morning

[XAP]Bob wrote:What's bizarre to me is that whilst the bike is clearly under the left wheels of a left turning lorry - the body was out under the right hand side?

How widespread is CCTV coverage in London?


Collision takes place on the left side, lorry stays on left turn course for a second or two before the driver stops and in doing so ends up placing the victim on the right side of the lorry by 'turning over' him, as it were. So he emerges at the other side.