Bike Hate

when tantan got a job locally (around 4miles from our house), he bought a bike so he can just cycle to work. i never liked the idea as i hear/see lots of accidents involving cyclists. but he insists that it'll be good for his health and pocket (especially since petrol price has really rocketed).

for the one year that he's cycled, he had 3 accidents
(1) probably 4 months into his cycling, he tried to avoid a stupid dog. he crashed and ended up with a black eye. fortunately, he was wearing a helmet and the black eye was all he got. he went to the ER nonetheless to have himself checked (he was given the all clear)

(2) 11 months into his cycling, coming home from work, a 50-something y/o polish lady crossed his path and bumped into her. it was all the lady's fault, as per witnesses. tantan couldnt understand why she crossed (it's not even a pedestrian crossing!) and didnt see him when his bike light was so bright (and he was wearing an orange jacket, which is easily seen). he fell from his bike but the lady suffered more (a cut on her forehead). the ambulance and police were called to the scene. the lady was brought to the hospital, tantan was checked but was given the all clear. the police got annoyed bec. they said it wasnt like a car-person accident, they shouldnt have been called.

a few weeks after, a police officer knocked on the door. apparently, the lady's nephew filed a complaint and wanted to claim for injuries. fortuantely, the police officer who came was the same one who responded to the call at the time of the accident. he just came as a formality, actioning a complaint. anyways, he knew that it wasnt tantan's fault. he even told us that they will be visiting the nephew and will be told that (a) there's no case and (b) the police somewhere north are after him - either way, he wouldnt be happy.

a few weeks after, we got a letter from the constabulary officially telling us the case was closed. trying to  pull a fast one on us, ey?

(3) 12th month - while cycling home from work, tantan was bumped by a CAR at a junction. the lady driver didnt even pause, when she's about to turn on the main road (where tantan is). tantan's bike got damaged. though wearing a thick jacket, his elbow got bruised and until now hurts. his tailbone was also painful at one point. but since he was wearing all his gears, the damage was less.

the driver immediately admitted fault. she however asked tantan if she could just have the bike fixed without going through her insurance as that will increase her premiums. tantan agreed, not minding his physical injuries. the lady brought him home and had the bike fixed the next day. tantan also used my car, so he had to shell out for petrol.

but tantan wasnt happy with the way his bike was fixed. he told the lady what he wanted but he got peeved when the lady said "ok, out of the goodwill of my heart....i'll have the bike checked again.". like, duh! tantan didnt want to be bumped by a careless driver like you! besides, tantan was the one doing her a favour by not going through her insurance and wasnt even claiming for his injuries and petrol!

in the end, they both agreed to just settle with her insurance. so now, tantan is also claiming for physical injuries and petrol costs.
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tantan's driving again since he got a new job and it's a bit far to cycle... to my relief! he's been driving for  over 6 years now and he only had 1 car accident (not his fault) as compared to 3 in just one year! i told him no matter how careful he is, there will always be a careless moron driving out on the streets. he's been lucky his accidents were minor. but the worrying and terror is still as bad - on my part. im really happy he's not cycling anymore. at least, to get to work. he's still allowed to cycle - recreationally.