When will people stop backing into my bikes?

[Oakie]

Well yesterday makes it three times a bike of mine has been knocked over by reversing drivers. It was different yesterday though as I was still on the bike at the time!
Scenario. Going to Rebel Sport on Colombo St in Christchurch. Stop behind a car stopped on the median strip waiting for opposing traffic to pass before turning right into R.S.. Road is clear so he proceeds. I proceed after him. He stops at the entranceway to allow a car to come out and I stop about 1.5 metres behind him. He then decides that the guy needs more room so starts reversing ... back towards my front wheel. From then it all happened very fast. I heard Mrs Oakie on her bike behind me yell at him "F**king idiot", then as I unsuccessfuly tried to find the horn and instead gave the bike a big rev hoping he'd hear that, his bumper hit my wheel and started pushing me backwards. Unfortunately I was at an angle to him instead of straight on so I just wasn't able to keep the bike upright. Can't remember much of what followed apart from ending up under the bike in the middle of the road behind the car and being vaguely aware of a bunch of pedestrians watching. Next was being upright with the bike back on two wheels just as the driver got to me asking if I was alright. This surprises as the last time my bike had a wee lie down, I needed help to get it up. Adrenalin is a wonderful thing.
Bottom line was no damage to me although I think the elbow armour in my jacket had something to do with that. Only damage to the bike was a bent gear lever and bent clutch lever (Thank God I saved the bike's fall). Probably $100 all up which he is going to pay for.
Interesting little experience and if that is my allocated 'bin' for the next few years, I'll accept it.

[ManDownUnder]

Mr Air Horn is my friend... and he comes out to play when idiots like that cross my path.

[Oakie]

Mr Air Horn is my friend... and he comes out to play when idiots like that cross my path.

All very well if you can find the button to make it go. I think my horn button shrunk in fear as I was trying to find it.
If it wasn't for the possiblilty of collateral damage (to me), Mr Surface to Surface missile might be my friend in those circumstances.

[Pex Adams]

http://www.nippynormans.com/products.asp?dept=259

Stebel Magnum - 17 quid
136dB -

[ManDownUnder]

All very well if you can find the button to make it go. I think my horn button shrunk in fear as I was trying to find it.
If it wasn't for the possiblilty of collateral damage (to me), Mr Surface to Surface missile might be my friend in those circumstances.

Understood and agreed. It's a bit late when you're on your side but still VERY satisfying to have the whole block stop and look at the cock sucker that hit you.

I treat it as a teaching aide. I figure the pain of the increased embarrassment should help them avoid making that similar balls up in the future. Besides...

... IT FEELS GREAT!

http://www.nippynormans.com/products.asp?dept=259

Stebel Magnum - 17 quid
136dB -

That's the fulla! I have the nautilus

[Oakie]

http://www.nippynormans.com/products.asp?dept=259

Stebel Magnum - 17 quid
136dB -

Ha ha. It would be funny to see the results of that being tested by some unsuspecting schmuck in the Vehicle Testing station next time. Soiled overalls all round I'd suspect.

[Oakie]

still VERY satisfying to have the whole block stop and look at the cock sucker that hit you.

I treat it as a teaching aide. I figure the pain of the increased embarrassment should help them avoid making that similar balls up in the future. Besides...

... IT FEELS GREAT!

Very good points!

[Steam]

People who back into anything should be done for careless driving, more, the maximum possible. It could easily have been a baby in a pram, or a 5-year-old kid following her mum around the back of the car.

[vifferman]

Understood and agreed. It's a bit late when you're on your side but still VERY satisfying to have the whole block stop and look at the cock sucker that hit you.

I treat it as a teaching aide. I figure the pain of the increased embarrassment should help them avoid making that similar balls up in the future. Besides...

... IT FEELS GREAT!

Ha ha!
That's my philosophy too. If someone misbehaves, I hold the horn button down long enough that it goes beyond, "Watch it!" and becomes, "Hey! Look at this twunt! He's been BAD!"

[Pumba]

STEBEL **NAUTILUS** HORN - 139d

Personally I like watching there head spin round expecting to see a Mack Truck about to remove them from this earth.

And maybe you need a big red panic button to set it off, just a thought

[Marmoot]

Well yesterday makes it three times a bike of mine has been knocked over by reversing drivers.

Considering it has been three times, perhaps it is a good time to take a step back and evaluate what can be done to improve your odds.

Is 1.5m behind enough to minimise your risk? Can this be increased realistically?

Perhaps you were in their mirror blindspots? Or have been unnoticed for the duration you were trailing the vehicles prior to them stopping?

Can you improve your visibility, etc?

And thing of anything that can be done to increase your lifespan.


Face it, with millions of cars, every day there are hundreds of thousands of cufk ups and chances are some of them would be right in front of you.
If you don't have that "safety zone" to accommodate other's mistakes, you'll end up kissing the ground REGARDLESS OF WHOSE FAULT IT IS.

[Oakie]

Considering it has been three times, perhaps it is a good time to take a step back and evaluate what can be done to improve your odds.

Cheers. The first two times my bike was actually parked and unattended when big 4WD vehicles backed into it.

[sunhuntin]

oakie... my horn shrinks as well... normally i end up putting the indicators on

glad it wasnt worse damage to either of you...

[Marmoot]

Cheers. The first two times my bike was actually parked and unattended when big 4WD vehicles backed into it.

Parked "too close" maybe?

Big 4WD has inherent rear-visibility problem, especially if they have spare tires hooked up to the back. Compounded with bikes' generally much lower height compared to the 4WD driver's view.

Perhaps it is unwise to park behind them, or within 5m behind them.

[sunhuntin]

why are you trying to switch the blame from the blind cage drivers? 4wds, if they cant see properly, maybe the driver needs to check first. it could well be a child they reverse into.