In issue 29 Steven Raeburn levelled a charge of evading responsibility at a cyclist who managed to knock off his wing mirror when filtering through traffic before cycling off without stopping. The problem was, as a cyclist the perpetrator of the deed could not be traced and Steven had to fork out for the replacement wing mirror from his own pocket. This month we received a response from a cyclist about their own responsibility, and those of drivers...

Whilst sympathising with Steve regarding the damage caused by a "hit and run" cyclist and subsequently being out-of-pocket I would like to recount two incidents demonstrating both sides of the coin.

The first incident occurred several years ago on a dark November night. I was cycling between two lanes of stationary traffic when I lost control due to what is called an "open joint" on the road. (This is where one part of the road surface is several inches higher/lower than the adjacent part). Consequently I hit the rear, nearside wing of a car on my right creating a fairly large dent.

Despite the motorist not enquiring if I was OK, but uttering "My car, my car what's going to happen to my car?" I exchanged details and subsequently paid the motorist's £100 insurance excess.

The second incident occurred in April 07 on a clear evening. On a four lane road, whilst passing a stationary line of traffic on my left the driver of a car decided to move into "my" lane knocking me over.

I was in the middle of the outer lane and almost past the car - the ever so slight damage to the car was the very front of the front offside wing. The damage to the bike was bent forks, bent handlebar, bent front wheel and the sidewall of the front tyre was so badly scraped/scuffed it too needed replaced.

I could tell a long story here, involving two police forces and stretching to September 07. Suffice to say, however, that the motorist was not insured and I had to fork out to the tune of approximately £175 to make the bike roadworthy.

So you see Steven,there are cyclists out there who, despite "being not insured" don't shirk their responsiblities and can be on the receiving end of motorists who do shirk their responsibilities.

.neil broadhurst