7 days ago
Moment cyclist is hit by car at roundabout sending him crashing to the floor – but who's in the wrong?
THIS is the shocking moment a cyclist was sent flying off his bike after a car crashed into him at a roundabout.
Dad-of-three Ian Bates had been cycling around a major roundabout in Waterlooville, Hampshire, when he was suddenly smashed into by a red Fiat.
6
6
6
But the headcam crash footage from 2017, which resurfaced on TikTok earlier this week, has sparked a debate among viewers over who is at fault.
In the clip, Ian can be seen hurtling along a main road in the left hand lane, before shifting to the right hand side.
As he enters the roundabout, appearing to aim for the third exit, things appear to be going as normal.
However, as he continues around the junction, a red Fiat, driven by Natasha Howes, appears out of nowhere from his left hand side.
With barely anytime to react, Ian realises he cannot do anything to avoid the impending collision.
As the Fiat smashes into the front of his bike, Ian is sent flying to the floor, screaming as he does so.
After the horrific collision, the dad-of-three picks himself and his bike up from the middle of the busy road, as cars begin to stop behind him.
But as he tries to pull himself together, the red Fiat can be seen accelerating away in the distance, despite having appeared to have stopped temporarily.
Adjusting his camera, Ian can then be seen wheeling his bike to the side of the road, before cycling again, in the direction that the Fiat went in.
After the clip resurfaced on TikTok, viewers were split over who was in the wrong for the crash.
Shocking moment cyclist smashes into bus & flips over handlebars… but viewers can't work out who's to blame
One said: "Why do cyclists think bikes are their own car?
"Like who rides a bike on a round about?
Another added: "Car in the right here - you should've slowed down."
However, not all viewers shared the same view.
6
6
6
One said: "Comments are scaring me - you usually yield at a roundabout.
"Yes the biker didn't signal but it doesn't matter, if it had been a car, that red car would've driven straight into it."
Following the crash, and subsequent court case, Howes was banned from driving for six months and fined £250.
She admitted driving without reasonable consideration to other users, failing to report an accident and failing to produce insurance.
Howes also previously admitted driving without due care and attention and without insurance in 2012, after knocking a motorcyclist off their bike.
On that occasion, she was fined £450 and ordered to pay £50 costs.
The Highway Code on giving way to cyclists at roundabouts
The Highway Code dictates that motorists "should give priority to cyclists on roundabouts".
In the guide, it states: "They [cyclists] will be travelling more slowly than motorised traffic.
"Give them plenty of room and do not attempt to overtake them within their lane.
"Allow them to move across your path as they travel around the roundabout."
The code also dictates that drivers "should take extra care" to ensure they "do not cut across cyclists" when entering a roundabout.
It states: "Cyclists, horse riders and horse drawn vehicles may stay in the left-hand lane when they intend to continue across or around the roundabout and should signal right to show you they are not leaving the
roundabout.
"Drivers should take extra care when entering a roundabout
to ensure that they do not cut across cyclists, horse riders or horse
drawn vehicles in the left-hand lane, who are continuing around the roundabout."
Recounting the crash, Ian said: "I am very lucky I wasn't more seriously hurt.
"I bounced off the side of the car; if I had hit the bonnet, that could well have been it.
"Everything could have been much, much worse."
The cyclist, who has an advanced motorist qualification, was left with cuts and grazes, as well as minor neck pain and numbness in his legs, after the smash.
Describing the crash, Ian said: "It was a lovely summer evening and I was doing a 12-mile ride.
"I was just going round the roundabout and she was coming onto it but she didn't see me, she didn't stop at all.
"I let out this yelp and was thrown into the air. When I got up I thought she was going to pull into the bus stop but she just drove off. I couldn't believe it."
Following the ordeal, Ian said he was worried to cycle again – even saying he wouldn't let his children ride on the roads.
He added: "Unfortunately, you've got to have the attitude that everybody is out there to kill you. It's sad.
"I avoid city traffic as much as possible. Car drivers just don't give cyclists the time of day."
