First of all Jez, I hope you are on some good pain meds? My accident happened just over 4 weeks ago, and though my injuries aren't as serious as yours, (no broken bones) I still have a great deal of pain in my right thigh :( Anyway, I'll call you limpy from now on - cos that's what everyone call me now, lol!
Anyway, Re: The Bradley Wiggins incident; The same thing happened to me just a week before his. It was a young lad pulling out of a side street in his car. Unfortunately, no independent witnesses, but the cop is gunning for the driver - BIG TIME. I have been a driver and a cyclist for 40 years (I started very young - dad is a trucker, so I had a unique perspective of 'idiots' etc... using our roads).
Thing is, I feel that a campaign IS NEEDED. We used to get adverts for "Think Bike" (remember those?) which was aimed a motorbikes. I don't know if that ad was successful or not, but I know it hasn't been on for years now.
Something I do notice, is if I am riding when kids are about, they will walk out into the road right in front of me without even looking!! How I have never hit any of the "precious darlings" is due to my insight and luck. But guess who would be in the wrong if I DID hit any of them. I told the cop who took my statement of that issue, but think it fell on deaf ears. Kids just give a lot of abuse at me cos I've shouted at them to get out of the bloody way, and because they somehow think it's their divine right to walk into a road without looking.
We somehow need something to make motor drivers AND pedestrians THINK about cyclists approaching. Just cos Pedestrians can't hear an engine, they think they are safe to dilly dally in the road! Car/van etc... Drivers need to be alert at all times - they are driving a lethal weapon - and I don't think they even realise that fact. When they are driving they have to be aware of ALL potential road users.
How many have you have seen the driver chatting away in the car in front - and you just KNOW they are not paying any attention to the road whatsoever. Some have kids jumping around all over the place (another distraction) and of course - using a phone is now the classic excuse for not paying attention.
And yes, unfortunately, there are idiot cyclists out there as well. They really get my goat when I do see one, as it is these idiots who are rembemered and people in general tend to tar everyone with the same brush. (I think that is human nature - and a huge flaw that is too!)
As for a campaign, I don't mind writing to my MP, or even Dave to see if something can be done. It must be better to try to make everyone aware of cyclists, motorbikes, and even horse riders, joggers, etc... - anyone that uses the roads basically. Than to have ambulances come out, and use hospital resources, and police and coursts and everything else that happens after an accident.
Jez, what do you think? I will be more than happy to add your name onto my letter as someone who has had a Bradly Wiggins. I actually had been wondering myself about a campaign, but generally it helps to have others behind you.
Again, I know how you feel. You are hurting real bad and it's difficult to get comfortable. That's why I hope you are on really good meds. They help to a certain extent, but time is the real healer here. TAKE CARE for now.
