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Judge rules cyclist’s lack of helmet “of no relevance” as taxi driver fined €1,000 for breaking rider’s leg in roundabout crash – after police noted cyclist’s dark clothes and earphones (road.cc)
submitted 1 year ago by to c/fuckcars@lemmy.world
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The dildo of consequences rarely arrives lubed.

I'm really not a fan of the cops arguing that the cyclist was partly to blame, though, and a €1000 fine is pretty damn low for breaking someone's leg and wrecking a good six months of their life.

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[+] -12 points 1 year ago (11 children)

Yeah, the helmet is a bit much.

Not wearing appropriate clothing and headphones while on the road is a fair point though.

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  • [–] 24 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    Not wearing appropriate clothing and headphones while on the road is a fair point though.

    I've nearly been hit several times (like tires screaching to a halt) while wearing high-viz clothing with the right of way.

    It makes no difference when the driver isn't paying attention.

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  • [–] -1 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    It makes a huge difference if you yourself are paying attention, which seems hard wearing headphones.

    And honestly, you said it yourself. "Nearly" hit. Could've been worse if you weren't wearing high-viz clothing.

    I cycle daily and just notice how little people are aware of blind spots, cyclists and drivers alike. No harm in driving a little slower, even when you have right of way.

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  • [–] 4 points 1 year ago

    I do agree that it's better to be more visible, but that still shifts the responsibility away from the driver.

    Wearing headphones is a pet peeve of mine, and I encounter pedestrians on trails all the time (multiple times per ride) who wear them. But it's still my responsibility as a cyclist to pass with caution.

    And honestly, you said it yourself. "Nearly" hit. Could've been worse if you weren't wearing high-viz clothing.

    Nope. These were inattentive drivers who should have noticed me (as a pedestrian or cyclist) well before making their turns.

    I wear high viz, ride with lights day and night, added additional reflectors, have tires with sidewall reflectors, and even have one bike that's high viz yellow! But I do it mostly so I could never be blamed for being invisible, and I sure as hell know that someone looking down at their phone while driving will still miss me.

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  • [–] 12 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    You can wear whatever clothes you like if you’re on a bike. Just like you don’t have to paint your car a specific colour to be allowed to drive.

    And drivers are allowed to blast music so cyclists should as well. All the safety shouldn’t fall on cyclist double standards.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago

    I’m obnoxious and usually just blast it out loud through my phone like I would if I were driving - I would have headphones in while driving either, so definitely not cycling. Maybe bone-conductors but even then I wouldn’t want magic drowning out any part of my awareness.

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  • [–] 8 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    I guess drivers with black cars, gray cars, ... Should also be partially blamed for the accidents with other vehicles when "not guilty", because they aren't visible enough...

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  • [–] 5 points 1 year ago* (1 child)

    I've had drivers not see me and pull out in front of me in broad daylight when I've been wearing a luminous orange top, while riding a bike with a bright flashing front light. What more should I have done to not make it my fault? Set off fireworks?

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