Probably gonna get downvoted for this, but every single 'serious' cyclist I've ever known was an insufferable, stuck up arsehole - looks like he's just living up to the same stereotype.

If you dont wan't a gift and return it to the giver, that's fine. If you want the money, you should have accepted the gift, waited a day and then return it yourself and get the money. Instead, this rather blunt knife in the drawer rejected the gift outright, insulted his wife and children and on top of all that asked her to return it and give him the money. This is one big man-baby.

He could thank her for the thoughtful and expensive gift and probably kindly explain to her that's a gift he won't use that much and ask her to choose together something different.

I admit that I am curious as to why it was rejected, because there doesn't seem to be anything here about asking him why. Not calling anyone an a-hole or not, because I am not touching the money part, but what if he thought that it meant that his family were blaming him for the accident?

Grown-äss adults acting like 5 year olds. When you give someone a gift, if it's not something they chose or asked for, you have no control (and neither should you have) over their reaction. They might like it, they might hate it or they might be completely indifferent. But if someone specifically says they want/need nothing, then there's a very high possibility that, whatever you get them, will be met with indifference. Once you gift something, it's the other person's to do as they please with it - keep it, enjoy it or exchange it, it's their choice. Maybe he could have acted happier in front of the kids, but then what happens when the gift is returned and you have to explain to them that he didn't like it after all? If your partner says they don't want anything for their bday, just get them something small, a token of affection like a cake or take them out to dinner/movie... don't buy them something you think they will like and expect them to like it

I feel like it's enrained into you since you're a kid that even if you don't like a gift you have to say thank you and act grateful about it. He could have returned it on his own a few days later or conveniently forgot to put it on his bike and sold it on ebay or something a few months later as he doesn't use it a lot or something. Tons of way he could have handled this more graciously The people saying he said he didn't want a gift seem to overlook that he wants the 500€ for himself instead, so imo he actually doesn't not want anything and possibly just says it as a way to present himself a certain way. My step-father does the same thing, saying he doesn't want anything for christmas/his birthday but he kicks up a fuss if we don't actually get him anything. Wouldn't be surprised if it's the same kind of situation here.

It would have been his gift and his money if he accepted it and returned it. Instead, he rejected it.

K**b says it's his gift so his cash. He rejected the gift so, by his own logic, he rejected the cash.

Male bike riders are a PITA but what do you expect from someone who sits and smashes their gonads and thinks it is fun. Sorry he rejected gift he doesn't get the money.

He's definately an a*****e, but he may also have taken the gift as an insult. It's kind of backhanded to give him expensive high-tech road safety equipment after an accident. He may be taking it as her saying that the accident was his fault, and he needs this additional traffic-awareness kit so he doesn't do it again. It may be the high-tech equivalent of giving him a red bike flag and training wheels.

YTA for being a slave to the husband. If he didn't want the gift give him the receipt and let him return it, jam it up his butt, or whatever else he wants to do with it.

I'm inclined to say YTA because 1) The wife didn't even try to find out the reason for the rejection of the gift - what if he has PTSD from that accident; 2) making gifts is about showing appreciation, not getting gratitude or some kind of reward for doing it; 3) giving and receiving gifts does not carry the obligation of gratitude - sometimes people don't like the gift you got them and that's okay, it happens to everyone; 4) she makes a lot of assumptions, mostly about him being ungrateful (maybe he is, but just doesn't want that particular item), and about him being ready to get on the bike again (maybe he really isn't but is just faking it).