RTA

I had my first collision on a bike when riding as an instructor.  Riding with a middle aged trainee on his first ride on the road we pull up at a junction. The trainee does the right thing, slowing to stop to give way to the car descending the hill from our right.  Me, wearing a bright dayglo yellow tabard saying “Instructor” on it, stop behind and speak to the trainee over the radio.

“Look in your mirrors.  I am about to be driven into from behind”. 

Bang. I am jolted forward a couple of inches.  A car has hit me.  

I was sat with both brakes hard on wondering how much speed the car was going to lose.  Normally I would accelerate away from such a situation.  There was space in front of the approaching uphill car but it wasn’t something I could do here with the trainee taking the hit.  I recall the examiner in Oxford and his near miss.  I now start to understand how he felt.  I however was merely pissed off.

I put the bike on its side stand and walk back to ask the driver whether he has considered taking driving lessons or whether he is blind given I am wearing several square feet of bright yellow fabric.

“I thought you were going to pull away” he says.  Clearly quite concerned.  No damage has happened, no injuries, and he clearly felt a fool.  So hardly worth an argument.  I walk slowly up the trainee and explain what has happened and why checking your mirrors is key.  He thought I was a psychic motorcycling god for my foresight.  I was just following the roadcraft rule book.

So far that’s my only collision on a bike.  All my other accidents I have managed quite well on my own without anyone else’s help.