White van with my imprint on the side

[molly_DC]

This morning on my commute, I crossed an intersection and a large van turns right in front of me! Apparently, he did not see me depite the flashing red light on the back of my bike and the bright yellow jacket with reflective stripes. Luckily, I managed to stay upright on my bike as I slammed into the side of the van then continued to pedal in the direction the van was going. I hit the van so hard I dented the side of it. Thank god, the metal gave easily. I am very sore but thankful I did not fall or else he most certainly would have run over me. I was surprised how calm I reacted during the impact. I basically said, "oh no" and then just gave into going the direction of the van instead of continuing in my direction, which would have increased the likelihood of injury. What a jerk! I hope he is fired for damaging his company's van. I was in such shock, I just continued to bike to my office.

[ACG]

Sorry!!! and glad you are okay. I had a similar situation where I was going east and a car came out of a street, didn't stop at the stop sign and proceed to make a left turn south/west. I grabbed the driver side mirror, turned my handlebar and wound up turning around with her! I was yelling at her and she looked startled. I know my tire left a mark in her door. She slowled allowing me to rebalance myself - to not fall and go under her car, then sped away.

You should pat yourself on the back for knowing how to manuever so well, staying calm and staying alive!

[yellow]

Ugh! Glad you are OK. I know it's hard to have the presence of mind when something like that happens, but did you at least see the company that owned the van? (Perhaps since you knew that it was a "work" van?)

I never think to look at the license plate. I think it's just something we have to train our brains to do.

Do some stretching tonight...you'll probably feel it tomorrow. :(

[CorsairMac]

So sorry to hear about your incident but Kudos on your bike handling skills! People think I sound morbid when I say my clock is ticking but I bike commute on a busy street everyday and I truly believe - my clock is ticking. I know how scary that was and I'm glad to hear you held it together enough to stay upright!

and that you're still commuting!!!

[Selkie]

Molly, where did this happen? Somewhere in downtown DC? Thank goodness you are OK. I applaud your calm reaction and your courage. That would have scared plenty of folks enough to give up commuting!

[molly_DC]

It happened on Gallows Rd. in Vienna. I did not get the plate or company. I was shocked and angered, so I didn't stop to "chat" with the idiot. I would have punched him in the face.

[Selkie]

That's a dangerous place. Lots of "idoits per square mile." Unfortunately, Northern VA roads, for the most part, aren't very friendly for cyclists. That's why I can't ride to work (yet---I'm working out a route that will have me on the more dangerous roads for a short time or I can sidewalk it during those bad segments--I just have to get a cyclocross bike, so I can take advantage of a few unpaved trails.)