very sore and very lucky
We had a great run out of the city and down Anzac Hwy. Morphetville was a
bit of a challange with the traffic but we made it to Glenelg without incident.
I had no idea that the bikeway was even there so it was an interesting ride as
far as West beach. That's were it went wrong...crossing a roadway at about 25kph
the rider infront of me suddenly swerved and I slammed into a unseen bollard.
To cut a long story short after laying on the path for a while, an ambulance ride
to the RAH, countless tests and xrays and 2 1/2hrs in a neck brace I finally went
home with a full collection of cuts, bruises and strained tendons but nothing broken.
Counting my lucky stars.
Mind you, I still havn't seen my bike yet. :-(
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Konadog on -
Bummer - good you're OK in the end - hope you find you bike in good nick too...
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Permalink Reply by Richard on -
Ya silly bugga. I suppose you've bent that bollard and the poor council are going to have to fix it. Serves you right for riding the tourer, not the recumbent :}
Relax and enjoy your injuries. I'm glad it wasn't worse.
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Permalink Reply by Patrick O'Kane on -
Glad the injuries are not worse, hopefully the bike is OK.
In the interest of not repeating this incident why did the rider in front not signal the presence of the bollard, why were you so close to him that you couldn't see and avoid the obstacle? (Not wanting to be critical f either party here)
It seems from reading various ride reports on AC that as more group rides occur there are more of these incidents, maybe that's inevitable but can t be better managed. I'm very wary of drafting a rider I don't know,or one who doesn't make me feel comfortable. There are riders whose wheel I will gladly sit on a 40kph comfortable that they will ride in a manner that keeps us both safe, there are others that I will ride 10m away from because they scare the daylights out of me.
I used to think it was familiarity with the other rider but on the last two Thursday Nightriders I've sat behind a rider I didn't know and he inspired confidence in me from the very start. I hope that as AC rides get more popular and attract a diverse group of riders that we don't get more crashes like this.
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Permalink Reply by Richard on
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In Matthew's post on this group's message board, he mentioned that it was nearly dark, the bollard in question had no reflectors or anything else to make it visible and the two riders in front were well in front while the rider immediately in front was too busy trying to avoid the bollard to go signalling. This group isn't a high paced group - it's just a casual ride.
You're right about your general comments and they are one reason I don't have much to do with group rides, I'm just suggesting that maybe they weren't as relevant in this case (I wasn't on the ride so am guessing somewhat, trying to get in before this thread drifts off course)
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Permalink Reply by Patrick O'Kane on
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Good points Richard. Lets hope we can all stay safe.
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Permalink Reply by Gus K on -
No good. I hope you are feeling OK today.
What I take out of this is how good our Ambos and hosptital staff are to observe you properly and only discharge you when you are pretty much in the clear.
It also reminded us that cycling insurance is important, ambulance cover is essential and we all need to look after each other.
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Permalink Reply by Lee-Anne on -
Not to mention propper communication between riders on a group ride - no matter how big/small, or where the ride is.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Bland on -
Good point ,, I better look into & get ambulance cover ..
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Permalink Reply by scott mccann on -
well i was the front rider and yes i didn't see the obstacle until it was too late to offer a warning.I will be seeing council tomorrow about the lack of reflective strips and color of the bollard.Also the fence blocking off the sand dune works goes a little on the track which pushes you over a touch maybe thats why the collision occurred something else i will be looking at and reporting to council
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Permalink Reply by heather on -
Scott, will you please give me the exact location of the bollard: council, suburb, bikeway and nearest street. I have reported to councils bollards without reflective stripes, even bollards that are painted grey! If the same council is repeating this cycling hazard, then it will enhance your complaint. I hope you take photos of the bollard and fence intruding onto the track before you speak to the council. Also tell council that you have photos of the injured cyclist -- do this while the injuries are fresh and most obvious. Explain to the council that bicycle lights are small as are the batteries, and legal lights can be far less powerful than vehicle lights. That council needs to allow for this when planning and maintaining shared paths and roads.
Best if bollards are painted white, have a grey reflective strip AND a red reflective strip. Note that cyclist rails on bicycle passageways (breaks in median strips) are white with grey and red reflective strips. I do not know what Austroads or Australian Standards states on this.
On the subject of bollards. In 2011 during the Mad Hatters Ride / Angus' surprise birthday event, while cycling Linear Park, I noticed a bollard without reflective strips in the middle of the shared path. Treated wood so a dull colour, and similar wood in the fence posts on either side of the path. I reported this to the pertinent council. Recently I rode the Linear Park again for AC's river run / third anniversary ride. The bollard and fencing has not been improved. Belatedly learnt that I had not recorded the location in my file of HazardsCycling2011. I asked the Saturday Night group to get the address for me, so I can report again, but no response. With this post reminding cyclists that bollards can be hazardous, perhaps someone will get the address details and pass onto me.
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Permalink Reply by scott mccann on
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I am taking photos of the area tomorrow after work i am not sure who will be responsible as the fence that contributed to the crash is put up by a subcontractor i think.I will let you know how i go
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Permalink Reply by heather on
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Scott, if you cycle there via the Linear Park, will you please note the cycling hazard of a dull green wooden bollard in the centre of the shared path. Take a photo and note the nearest street, forward to me, and I will remind the local council that I reported it in May-2011 and still no reflective tape.
Re who is responsible: If a member of RAA, ask them for a legal answer over the phone, arranged through Mellor Olsen I believe. Could also get answer from Legal Aid over the phone.
I have some info from Austroads and another authority on keeping a work-site safe for cyclists.
© 2013 Created by Gus K.
