Ok, this is probably preaching to the Choir, but check this out and then read on:
Today Tim and I went for a bike ride. We biked up to Kensington Metro Park, which is about 7 miles from our house. From there we biked around the park and then back home, the plan was for a 23 mile ride.
Well on the way home, we were coming up on this intersection where we needed to turn right. As we were approaching the corner, this car coming in the other direction turned left super fast RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME into a gas station. Fortunately Tim was able to barely escape him, but I was not so lucky.
As he was turning in front of me, in that split second I looked for options, couldn't go right, couldn't go left, so I knew I had to hit him. So as I was breaking for my life, I turned my bike a little to the side to side swipe him as I thought that was my best option.
My shoulder bounced off his car and I almost whacked my head on his mirror, and then my body slammed to the road, my right elbow taking most of the impact. Of course I was ripped right off my bike.
I was able to get up and walk away from it, which was good, but it shook me up pretty good. So I went to this grassy part in front of the gas station and sat down.
The first thing he said after he said he didn't seem me (obviously) was that we should be on the sidewalk! Tim corrected him right away letting him know we have every right to be in the road. The guy was very concerned and bought me a water and some ice because I was getting quite the goose egg on my elbow, but the whole time insisted it wasn't his fault.
As I was walking it off, Tim went and got the information from the guy, and this woman came up to us and urged us to call the police, because even though she didn't see my accident, he had JUST cut her off down the road and was driving recklessly and was apparently in a big hurry. Just as she said that, the police showed up, someone else called them.
As everyone was giving their statements (including the woman mentioned above), the guy kept insisting it was my fault!
He kept saying *I* hit *HIM*
I said "Of course I did, you turned right in front of me!"
He said "You side swiped me!"
I said "I did that on purpose to avoid getting killed!
He said that he didn't see me and that he never sees cyclists on the road and I said "Well *that* is a problem, we're everywhere!"
We got into a little heated discussion because he was totally pissing me off (no I didn't swear!) and the officer finally said "Ok, Ok, let's calm down" and I walked away. I did apologize later to the officer and he said not to worry, that he understood why I was angry.
So after the guy was issued 2 tickets (One for failure to yield and one for no driver's license), he did say he hoped I was ok, but NEVER apologized.
At first I felt fine to ride home (we had about 5 miles left), but then, I was a little worried about putting pressure on my arm. It's a little on the sore side, and I think it is ok, but I am keeping an eye on it. If it really starts hurting, we'll get it looked at. But in the mean time, I'm just bumped, bruised and scratched. So since I couldn't ride, the police brought me home. He told me in the car that the accident report stated that the other guy was at fault, which I kinda knew, but is nice to hear.
So anyway, I think I'll live. My bike appears to be fine, but I am taking it up for a tune up just in case since I do have a race next weekend.
And just in case I can't ride with "Tres Chicas" next weekend, I have a substitute: "Dos Chicas y un Hombre"!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
I'm glad to hear you're (mostly) ok! And yes, "I didn't see you" is more or less an admission of "I didn't look."
It's nice to hear that the police seem to have handled the situation in an appropriate/professional manner. There are, alas, incidents where they aren't even interested in hearing the facts because they just "know" that those damn cyclists are always doing stupid things and it's all their fault.
Anyway, hope to hear you're back up and cruising around soon!
Wow... I was hit once too, but the guy never stopped. Not even sure he knew I was there. This is scary... and why I wear my *lovely* high visibility jersey...
The whole thing about riding on the sidewalks.. PULEAZE!!!! and seriously, had you been there he'da still hit you! There are a group of stupid drivers out there that really do believe cyclists do not belong on the road. It is actually very dangerous to ride on the sidewalk for a multitude of reasons.
It would be nice if there were PSAs played in the states for cycle awareness. Motor cycles have issues with stupid drivers too, I have had some of those people has patients.
Keep safe! Don't let this blow your mojo, and I am so glad that you are (mostly) okay!!!!
Jeanne! That is amazing. I'd be calling 800-LEE-FREE or 800-CALL-SAM.
I have seen this happen many times and cannot help but think this is the bike rider's fault. Anyone who rides down the road and does not slow, turn around and look, before proceeding across ANY intersection on a bike has limited time left on this Earth! Any gas station, driveway, pull off, street MUST NOT BE CROSSED until you are sure a car is not going to cut in front of you! Yes, it may be true that the car driver MUST yield, however you will find that the knowledge of being right will not help your recovery time in the hospital. Tim
Good thing I don't know you personally tim, because I think your full of BS! It was absolutely not my fault. I *WAS* slowing down, I was getting ready to turn. The fact that he SPLIT up two riders was absolutely his fault. I think you need to go back to school, because you have no idea what you are talking about.
So Tim, whomever you are... let me get this right... okay??
So at EVERY driveway, intersection, etc. etc. I should come to a nearly complete stop?? I don't have to do this in my car - WHY would I have to do this on my bike???
Basically I should ride in the few feet from my drive way to the next one, and that's it??
OBVIOUSLY we all watch cars etc. if the DRIVERS of the CARS would obey laws such as.. Oh.. I don't know.. turn signals, looking before they turn, silly things like that.. accidents wouldn't happen.
I will give you the benefit of the doubt and assume either: you have a mental impairment, OR you are just trying to rile people up...
To assume everyone is this world will do as they are "supposed" to do is just _____. The FACT is, if you do not pay attention to cars and assume they WILL hit you, you WILL get hit!
Yes, if you are a smart rider you will look (you don't always have to slow down) for cars turning left and right at EVERY crossing. Flame me out if you want, but you are wrong.
Tim
Back under the bridge with you.
Post a Comment