today's close call

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10-12-2006, 08:05 PM
kellichou

today's close call

Well, this morning marks my 2nd wipe-out, and the first bicycle-car
accident (and hopefully my last!).

It's 6:20 in the morning. I'm riding from my house to work, and waiting to cross where the city directs ped/bike traffic for the state park (I'm in the Denver/Metro area of Colorado, USA). I typically ride about 10 miles through city bike trails to work. It is an awesome ride, one that I've been doing for only about a month. I ride with the flow of traffic, and cross at crosswalks at busier intersections. I do everything by the book.

Even though I'm lit up like a frickin' Christmas tree (orange cycling
jacket w/ reflective trim, backpack with reflective trim, helmet with
headlight, flashing red light on my backpack, reflective short details
and reflective shoes), apparently this 50s ish guy doesn't see me.
And turns right into me, as I'm crossing in the crosswalk. WTF?

My [well, my twin sister's, actually] bike is pretty messed up. I have a scraped knee & bruises. But I am ok, have the guy's license plate, name & cell phone #. He says he will fix my bike. And if he doesn't, I have recourse by way of the police claim #, because I filed a claim with the local police.

I wish I had done what I usually do, and paused & looked to ensure he saw me BEFORE I went ahead. Ach!

I am just glad the motorist stopped. As he drove to pull over in the morning rush hour traffic, I jogged behind his car, carrying the bike with its horribly bent front wheel, bleeding, memorizing his license plate # in case he fled. And once he & I were talking, i pulled out the index cards & pen I keep in my emergency bag in my backpack, to write down his contact info, and his licence plate #.

The motorist was very nice. He asked me repeatedly if I was okay, and reassured me he would take care of my bike. I made it a point to shake his hand before he left, thanking him for stopping for me. Some people wouldn't.

I ended up carrying the bike home (front wheel wouldn't move), chatting with the officer who I contacted, and then eventually driving to school (I'm a 6th grade teacher). What a crappy day! But I am glad to be otherwise okay.

Oh, and my kitty-cat Boo jumped on the policeman's shoulder! This was the officer who responded to my call for a police report. He did NOT seem pleased. Oops! She does that to almost everyone. What can I say, she's a weird cat. I locked my bad kitty in the bathroom, and apologized. I
apologized again when he left, and he seemed slightly bemused by it.
So that was good.

Again, I am glad that it did not turn out too badly. I am fortunate to only have scrapes & bruises.

And the good news is, my bike shop says that I should get a new bike! They contacted the motorist for me, and I should get a new bike, because I have an "entry level" bike, and it would surely cost more to repair the bike than to replace it. So I am happy.

Again, I have learned a hard lesson about being careful. And that I am one lucky girl, to have only a few bumps & bruises. I'm just glad I was wearing my helmet, like I always do; and that it was a low-speed, low-impact crash. Nam myoho renge kyo!
10-12-2006, 08:15 PM
KnottedYet

Wow, scary! I'm glad you are ok, and that the driver stopped.

I like the idea of the index cards and pen on the bike. I'll have to do that, too.

Heal well, and good luck with a new bike!
10-12-2006, 08:39 PM
CyclChyk

Thank goodness you are ok! And it sounds like you learned a valuable lesson from this --> pause and look/make eye contact before proceeding.

Wishing you a speedy recovery. Those bruises hurt!
10-12-2006, 09:34 PM
Grog

I'm glad you're okay Kellichou. Enjoy the new bike shopping, and remember to remain alert to any pain onset and to act quickly if you feel something. Good that you had an 'emergency bag'!!

Your story convinces me that I'll stick to my decision NOT to use crosswalks. On the bike, I don't think there's safe. I'd rather take the lane. At busy intersections, that might mean taking the whole lane to make sure no smart-@$$ tries to make a right-turn in front of me...

Let us know how your next commutes go!!
10-13-2006, 01:04 AM
lph

Ouch, Kellichou. I empathize - I know just what that rush of adrenaline and fear and anger feels like...

BTW, Your cat sounds fun :)
10-13-2006, 04:15 AM
Geonz

Glad you are okay and that the humans were reasonable (even if the felines were their weird normals selves :)). WHEW!!

(But this is why paths have a significantly higher risk factor than on-road facilities... those intersections!)
10-13-2006, 06:50 AM
spokewench

Glad you are okay

Glad you are okay - and I sure hope he pays for your bike - sounds like the driver is trying to be accountable for his actions (so many people are not these days).

Good for you trying to memorize the license number! You never know if they are going to stop or not. I got hit by a young girl a few years ago and she was not going to stop but another motorist that saw the accident drove up beside her and that made her feel like she had to stop. It was a good thing cause i ended up sitting backwards from her on the ground and had not gotten up yet from the ground.
10-13-2006, 08:54 AM
mimitabby

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellichou

I'm just glad I was wearing my helmet, like I always do; and that it was a low-speed, low-impact crash. Nam myoho renge kyo!

I am glad you are okay, too! what does Nam myoho renge kyo mean?

The other day I was approaching a red light... I could see that the opposing traffic light (a highway offramp) was turning from green to amber ... to red. I had the choice to keep slowly rolling (into the intersection) so i didn't have to stop to get off the bike. I chose to stop. Just then a gravel truck came barreling up the ramp and right across MY path, and the light was red. I would be dead. No doubts.

The moral of the story: you are on a 20 pound bike. DO NOT EVER ASSUME THEY SEE YOU.
10-13-2006, 11:50 AM
chickwhorips

glad to hear your ok and the gentalman was resposible.

have fun bike shopping!
10-13-2006, 04:38 PM
momof4greatkids

Quote:

Originally Posted by mimitabby

I am glad you are okay, too! what does Nam myoho renge kyo mean?

The other day I was approaching a red light... I could see that the opposing traffic light (a highway offramp) was turning from green to amber ... to red. I had the choice to keep slowly rolling (into the intersection) so i didn't have to stop to get off the bike. I chose to stop. Just then a gravel truck came barreling up the ramp and right across MY path, and the light was red. I would be dead. No doubts.

The moral of the story: you are on a 20 pound bike. DO NOT EVER ASSUME THEY SEE YOU.

I'm so glad you're OK!

"nam yoho renge kyo" I first heard in the Beatles tune "nothing's gonna change my world". I think it's some type of gregorian chant?

I don't even take for granted anymore that cars will stop at a red light when I'm crossing in the crosswalk. A motorist screeched to a halt halfway through the intersection and smiling real wide, looked at me and said "I didn't even see the light"...........I mumbled something very unkind under my breath. Gotta make that eye contact and make sure they actually see you!

Colleen
10-13-2006, 05:24 PM
kellichou

nam myoho renge kyo is a Buddhist chant. It's the title of the Lotus Sutra, a text considered by many to be an ultimate Buddhist teaching. It also means, "I dedicate my life to the mystic law of cause and effect through sound [chanting]." In my Buddhist practice, chanting this phrase is a way to raise one's life condition, and get in rhythm with the universe/life.

Because I'm so grateful I wasn't badly injured, it's my little "thank goodness!" and thanks to the universe.

I am surprised--I always thought that bike path riding was safer than riding on the street.

Although now that I think about it, perhaps it would be safer to ride down this street "like a car" and proceed directly with the light and flow of traffic to the state park's entrance!

I wish I wasn't so scared to ride in the street! Any words of wisdom? Thanks, Ladies!
10-13-2006, 06:39 PM
Grog

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellichou

I wish I wasn't so scared to ride in the street! Any words of wisdom? Thanks, Ladies!

Here is THE best source:

http://bicyclesafe.com/

Good luck, and hang in there.
10-13-2006, 07:03 PM
Artisan

These are always the hardest threads for me to read. I contemplate whether or not to read them because I have such a fear of auto/bike accidents. I for the most part do end up reading them because I know I can always learn from others experiences. I'm so glad to hear you are ok and that the motorist is being responsible.
10-14-2006, 03:52 PM
Kathi

Kellichou,

Do you have a DBTC (Denver Bicycle Touring Club) map? If not you can pick up one at your local bike shop. The map shows low traffic streets, bike lanes and paths around the Denver area.

My experience in Denver has been that motorists are used to seeing bicyclists in bike lanes and are more courteous. They may or may not be aware of you when you are crossing from a bike path.

However, this does not excuse the motorist who hit you. Colorado law requires motorists to yield to those in crosswalks.

Regardless, I still wait to make sure the motorist sees me before I enter the intersection.
10-15-2006, 01:13 AM
Duck on Wheels

A ton or two of steel always makes me a bit nervous, whether I'm on my bike, on foot, or driving that ton. My route to work goes mostly on bike paths that are a marked section of the sidewalk. I tend to do the crossings on foot, because that lets me stop quicker when drivers look straight at me and keep on going. Eye contact is a must, but still no guarantee! Luckily, most of the instersections I go through have bike and pedestrian underpasses, so I don't have to dismount all that often.

Good to hear you're only a bit scraped and bruised. Good that the driver took repsonsibility (too late, but still ...) and will cover your repair costs. Good that you're able to get back in harmony with the universe (and back on your new bike without being overly nervous). Stay safe out there!
10-17-2006, 01:00 PM
DDH

That is so scary!!! I don't think I know what I'd do if someone hit me. I'm afraid I would be a real be-atch out of shear shock!! :eek:
That is if I was in good enough shape to still act that way.

I'm glad you are okay. Like everyone else I try to watch out and follow the rules, but you just never know when someone else isn't doing the same.

We all make mistakes, I am sure the driver was mortified about hitting you. I just hope if a driver, or myself makes a mistake when I am riding that it is a smaller one and not a great big OWIE one.
10-19-2006, 08:19 AM
kellichou

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kathi

Kellichou,

Do you have a DBTC (Denver Bicycle Touring Club) map? If not you can pick up one at your local bike shop. The map shows low traffic streets, bike lanes and paths around the Denver area.

Yes, Kathi, I do have a DBTC map, and it's the best! It was my most helpful tool in planning my commute route.

I was following the posted route for bike & ped traffic to the state park (to keep peds/bikes away from a very congested part of a busy intersection). There's bikes there all the time!

Great advice, though (and one that I typically follow) is stopping and making absolutely certain the motorist is stopped. I was in a hurry that morning, and look where it got me. :P