SMH: Sydney: The city that hates bikes....

haters out there.

Sydney seems to breed more than most.

I was knocked down by a car on Saturday on the roadie - i wouldn't say he was a hater but i don't think he was driving with the care required

It was at the intersection of Forest way and Mona Vale road on the way home – I was going along Mona Vale Road with traffic, he was merging onto Mona Vale Rd from Forest Way – he claimed he didn't see me in the rain, but it was more likely he was looking behind him for cars and not in front of him – Frustrating thing is I was watching him, thought we had made eye contact and he was slowing down for me and next thing I know I am on my back sliding along the road on my arse, looking up at the bumper of the car and waiting for it to come over the top of me. I kinda remember the sound of his brakes but I definitely remember the sound of the impact.

The amazing thing is the bike pretty much took all the impact, and when it all came to a stop I jumped up swearing and shaking, looking at my bike, swore some more, and swore some more. He did stop, he was apologetic, he did give me his details and I was lucky, so very lucky.

The two guys I was riding with then appeared, then another cyclist stopped saying “I’m a doctor are you alright” then more cyclist stopped, then the drivers young kids started really freaking out.

Rear wheel is cactus and other bits will need to be replaced, the LBS currently is checking frame alignment and the other carbons bits that slid across the road – my jersey was ripped, shorts are absolutely shredded, my arse is marginally better than the shorts.

so in all likelyhood, bike is out of action for at least 2 to 4 weeks and now I need to figure out how I am going to get the guy to pay

Glad to hear you're OK - sounds like it could have been an awful lot worse.

You need to lodge a Police report straight away. Without this, no insurance coverage of your damage will be provided.
Did your ride buddies see the impact? (If not, they can at least provide a record of what you first said to them that will go to corroboration even if it is hearsay.)
Did you or your buddies take photos with your/their phones at the scene?
Did you have a light on and running on your bike at the rear?
Any other witnesses?

I figure the answers to the above are probably going to be no - from experience I know your head is in such a whirl after the impact that it is almost impossible to remember all these things.

The good news is the dude stopped and exchanged details instead of trying to run off like the guilty fink who did me. You need to find out who his insurer is, and then lodge a statement of claim quickly before he gets over the feelings of guilt for hitting you. I'd also lodge a CTP claim ASAP as well, in case any consequences pop up later.