The phone call you don't want to get

[trickytiger]

I was at work last Friday night, and my cell phone went off- with my boyfriend's ring- thinking he got home safely (we work at the same place and bike commute when possible- he got me into riding), I picked up, only to hear him say " Can you come downtown? I don't want to freak you out, but I just got hit by a car". When my stomach finished jumping around enough to let me remember how to drive (was working way past dark that night), I found him and two very freaked out young women, plus one mangled bike on the corner of one of the busiest intersections in Seattle.

It turns out that he was riding in the bike lane next to her SUV (with full lights and helmet/etc) when she decided to suddenly take a right-hand turn without looking or signaling, thus hitting him on the left side of his body and knocking him off the bike and under her car. His only thought at that point was fear that she might run him over. Fortunately, she wasn't going that fast, and managed to stop- and fortunately his worst injuries are some big bruises and significant loss of skin. He hit his head on the curb, but his helmet took the impact. The cop who showed up clearly cited it as her fault, but left it up to my boyfriend whether to ticket her. She did agree to pay for the bike repair, plus a new helmet, but it's not clear how or when.

This really scared all of us- driver included. Hopefully she'll be more attentive, and hopefully we'll get over this incident, but for the meantime we're driving to work, and will stick to riding for fun on less busy roads instead of bike commuting. And I was just getting more confident! It goes to show that even doing everything right doesn't mean trouble won't happen.

[DeniseGoldberg]

I'm sending healing wishes to you and your boyfriend. It sounds like he was really lucky.

It's OK to follow your instincts and switch to driving to work for a while. I believe that the fear of riding on your commute roads will ease after a bit, but you certainly do need to listen to yourself. I can tell you from experience that it is possible to get back on your bike again and to ride without fear. It may not seem like it now, but give yourself time.

--- Denise

[trickytiger]

Good advice- I guess we don't stop using cars even though we all know people who have gotten in accidents, so I don't think we'll stop riding, either. I think sticking to "fun" rides where we can choose how much car traffic to deal with and without the time restriction of trying to get to work might be best for us right now. I know we will pick up bike commuting again, but maybe a brief break is good, so that we don't make decisions out of fear. Thanks for the support!

[Trekhawk]

I was at work last Friday night, and my cell phone went off- with my boyfriend's ring- thinking he got home safely (we work at the same place and bike commute when possible- he got me into riding), I picked up, only to hear him say " Can you come downtown? I don't want to freak you out, but I just got hit by a car". When my stomach finished jumping around enough to let me remember how to drive (was working way past dark that night), I found him and two very freaked out young women, plus one mangled bike on the corner of one of the busiest intersections in Seattle.

Glad to hear that your boyfriend is ok. I can understand you both feeling shaken and driving your car for a little while. My husband got knocked off his motorbike a few years ago and when he called he said something very similar dont freak out but I have been knocked off my bike and need you to come get me. He was ok (motorbike not so lucky) but it did shake him up for a while and he said it took a few months back on his motorbike before he felt comfortable again.

Hope your Boyfriend is feeling like new again soon.

Trekhawk

[RoadRaven]

Hey there Tricky
Scarey story but glad everything has turned out ok...
Absolutely trust to your instincts and ride togogether where you both feel safe
We all try and stay clear of town/cities for this reason... cars are too untrustworthy... I have nearly clipped a couple of cyclists even though I am a driver and KNOW and DO watch out for them
I always say to my sons that they must assume they are invisible and always think for the drivers, dont ever believe that drivers will include bikes in their thoughts and never assume you can/will or have been seen
Thinking of you both