wow, thanks for all of the replies. i'm feeling a little better about it now, mostly. my handlebars weren't bent, just the shifter, which a nice person at the lbs clicked back in place in about 2 seconds.

i've been even more cautious with the peds now. i was grateful for that today when on my ride i slowed down a great deal for parents with a 4 yr old girl. the mom had pulled her to herself but the girl saw me, and literally broke away from her mom to run right into my path. why do they do that? it was ok tho because i was prepared for it and stopped easily. a little later i passed a family with a 2 or 3 yr old boy, i was walking the bike by him because his dad had to literally grab him by the arms to keep him from running into my path. i am so glad i am not a parent. i don't know how you parents do not go insane. well, it actually appears that some of you do sometimes.

after hearing some of your stories, i am even more glad that no one got hurt in my little incident.