West Sussex cyclist injured in hit and run urges driver to turn himself in

mr-andrew wrote:

We recently spent some time at my sister-in-law's in the area. I was appalled at the way people seem to drive in that part of the world. I have commuted extensively in London, Johannesburg, Essex and Kent, but nothing prepared me for Sussex.

Both the wife and I felt so threatened by the traffic that we decided not to move to the area based purely on that factor. Something in the drinking water?

Nah, just a huge sense of entitlement that, in turn, leads to a lack of consideration for others and other road users in particular. Some of us take a pride in our driving others just take a pride in shaving 10 seconds off their journey times. Which is why I avoid the dual carriageways unless I'm in a tin box.

mr-andrew wrote:

I was appalled at the way people seem to drive in that part of the world. I have commuted extensively in London, Johannesburg, Essex and Kent, but nothing prepared me for Sussex.

Both the wife and I felt so threatened by the traffic that we decided not to move to the area based purely on that factor. Something in the drinking water?

I'm speechless! I've lived in Sussex for over a decade and I wouldn't say it's any worse here than anywhere else. I'd certainly say it's better than London (where I lived and cycled for the previous decade and a half).

Funny how quickly we form impressions about areas. I'd say Bristol's a nightmare (got badly cut up twice the only time I've ever cycled there), but Telford's even worse (cut up three times and sworn at twice - but again, only been there once). On the other hand I've cycled through Midhurst countless times and never had any problems.

I certainly wouldn't let such perceptions put me off moving to an area though! All I can say, mr-andrew, is that you missed a treat. There's some gorgeous cycling down here (although to be fair virtually none of it is on the A24).

Martin Thomas wrote:

I'm speechless! I've lived in Sussex for over a decade and I wouldn't say it's any worse here than anywhere else. I'd certainly say it's better than London (where I lived and cycled for the previous decade and a half).

I've also ridden the surrounding area a lot, but we found the trip from Amberley through to Brighton to be hellish, no matter which route we took. The way people seemed to drive left very little room for error - if they hit you at that speed it wouldn't be pretty.

We're heading down coastwards now, more cycle friendly routes.

mr-andrew wrote:

...we found the trip from Amberley through to Brighton to be hellish, no matter which route we took....

Try following the relevant bit of this route: http://www.bikemap.net/route/494068. There's a bit of unpleasantness on the A283 but I wouldn't call it hellish by any means.

If you've got the energy (and you don't mind the coastal slog home along the A259) you can cut right at Steyning and climb Bostal Road for some well-earned stunning views.

Coleman wrote:

How about giving the culprit the usual lenient punishment but then use them as a crash test dummy in a recreation of the 'accident'?

Now I do like the sound of that! Paint those black and yellow circles on him and test away