How Was Your Commute Today?

[pfunk12]

This is the second time in the past 2 weeks that I have almost been intentionally run over. And on both occasions, it happened at the same intersection - right in front of the building where I work. About 2 years ago, the Washington, D.C. Department of Transportation changed one of the lanes in front of our building and it created a dangerous situation for anyone who is trying to cross the street. Instead of having a center lane that goes straight, they changed it so the center lane can also turn left. When they turn left, they are flying down a hill and turning into pedestrians or cyclists. It's a blind spot for them. But even so, it's a crosswalk for pedestrians. I had 31 seconds to cross the street. I was going slowly and cautiously. I saw that a car across the street was going straight so I figured that I had enough time to cross since it would surely slow down the traffic that was turning. I was in the intersection and both lanes that were turning were coming right at me. I guess I panicked. I went to stop and I was trying to unclip but I was looking over my shoulder to my right -watching the cars that were bearing down on me and I guess in a defensive move, my body twisted to the left (as if I was trying to avoid being hit). And of course, I fell. So I'm sprawled on a Washington, D.C. street during rush hour traffic. One of the cars stopped but at least 2 other cars flew by me - AS I WAS LYING ON THE ROAD! I am frazzled - to say the least. I want my agency to make a formal complaint. I'm not sure if it should be to the Dept. of Transportation or even the Mayor. Since he's a cyclist, maybe he would be a little sympathetic. We've seen car accidents and at least once, we saw a woman get hit by a car. The last time it happened (less than 2 weeks ago), I was crossing and the guy picked up speed and again was bearing down on me and when he went by, the passenger yelled, "Yeah!" And it was supposed to be a calm commute home...

[redrhodie]

(((pfunk)))! Are you okay? How's your bike?

[pfunk12]

(((pfunk)))! Are you okay? How's your bike?

My bike is okay - thank goodness. I have a scratch/bruise on my knee but I'm just really upset. There have been times when I have crossed the street with co-workers and I have actually felt like I have had to protect some of the older women so they wouldn't get hit. That's how bad that intersection is. Thanks for asking!

[7rider]

Instead of having a center lane that goes straight, they changed it so the center lane can also turn left. When they turn left, they are flying down a hill and turning into pedestrians or cyclists. It's a blind spot for them. But even so, it's a crosswalk for pedestrians. ...

That sounds just like the intersection by my building in Silver Spring. Cars routinely come bombing through the (often red) light to make that left - right into crossing pedestrians. Just today, an Escape did it, and squealed to a stop just inches from a line of pedestrians (and me), and of course, grid-locked the intersection for traffic going straight, until the pedestrians cleared out and he could finish running that red.

That does sound like a horrible scene for you - and for all your fellow employees. You should take it to your building manager and see about filing a complaint. If no one says anything, they'll assume it's okay...until someone gets killed.

Glad you are for the most part okay. Scary way to start the ride home. <<<<safe rides>>>

[pfunk12]

That sounds just like the intersection by my building in Silver Spring. Cars routinely come bombing through the (often red) light to make that left - right into crossing pedestrians. Just today, an Escape did it, and squealed to a stop just inches from a line of pedestrians (and me), and of course, grid-locked the intersection for traffic going straight, until the pedestrians cleared out and he could finish running that red.

That does sound like a horrible scene for you - and for all your fellow employees. You should take it to your building manager and see about filing a complaint. If no one says anything, they'll assume it's okay...until someone gets killed.

Glad you are for the most part okay. Scary way to start the ride home. <<<<safe rides>>>

I know exactly where you are talking about near your workplace.

The reason that the DOT changed that lane was for the motorists. They never thought about how it would affect pedestrians or cyclists. I have watched some of my co-workers run across the street because it's the only way they could get across without getting hit.

I will definitely talk to the building manager tomorrow.

[tzvia]

pfunk12-
That intersection sounds like a deathtrap! Glad you are ok, and definitely file a complaint!

Is there another way you can go and avoid that intersection?

[pfunk12]

pfunk12-
That intersection sounds like a deathtrap! Glad you are ok, and definitely file a complaint!

Is there another way you can go and avoid that intersection?

In the evening (when the motorists seem more aggressive), I can't avoid it. My plan from now on is to be unclipped when I am crossing in case I have to stop. And also, to never assume that the motorists are going to stop because apparently, they don't care.

When I was at the light this morning at 6:50, I almost witnessed a woman walking her dog get hit.

[redrhodie]

Fabtastic commutes for me the last 2 days. I've started riding my summer route in the mornings, which is 3 miles longer (18 miles one way). It's such a pretty ride. I go by a horse farm, and the horses all look so happy. I pass a couple of small farm stands just selling rhubarb and asparagus at this point. It's a little hillier, and my legs are feeling it now. I had a sweet tailwind for the ride home. I needed that!

[Biciclista]

we sure have touchy weather. Yesterday, I escaped by minutes a hail storm and high winds... (well, i got enough wind)
Today it misted in the morning and RAINED all the way home. Maybe tomorrow it will be nicer?

[BikingNurse]

I was so happy to be on my bike this morning. This has been the most stressful week of my life. Our family is in crisis and it really helped me to be out on my bike. (hadn't ridden since my last post on this thread because we've had really bad rain every day and I don't feel comfortable on my dolce when the road is soaked) I see a long ride comming this weekend so I don't go crazy

[e.e.cummings]

Why do runners who have a perfectly good footpath - no loose gravel, etc., much easier on the joints (I am a runner too) - choose to run on the paved bike path instead? The foot path is a stone's throw away! If I rode on the foot path, I would be shouted off!

And why do cyclists who have a perfectly good bike path that costs the city a fortune to maintain STILL ride on the road right beside it? Risking being 'doored' by cars, etc. and all of the other risks of riding in traffic? It's their business, I guess, but it's a mystery to me.

I don't know, thought I'd would think out a loud a little. You have these thoughts when you commute back and forth.

[7rider]

Yesterday - after DH and I washed all the sweat off our bikes after a particularly sweaty, sticky, drippy, club ride - I started getting nostalgic for winter.
And I went back and re-read NYBiker's "Enough with the snow already!" thread in the Mid-Atlantic section.
And I was looking at all the pictures of mountains of snow and folks bundled up in their winter layers.
And I recalled, back in January, looking at the thermometer one morning before a commute, - a thermometer which was pegged somewhere south of 20 degrees F (-7C) - I was amazed that there would EVER be a time in the year where it was hot and sticky and gross, and I'd be wearing a sleeveless jersey when I left the house at 6:45 in the morning, and not wondering how I would ever move for all the layers I had on my body.
But, this morning was such a morning. I got into the gym, glistening with sweat.
It's amazing what a little time can do for you.

[blackhillsbiker]

Missing my commute. Second surgery is tomorrow. Hopefully then I'll be back on the bike in 2 weeks ("gentle, moderate riding") and back up to speed in about 6 weeks. I had forgotten how stressful it is to drive in the mornings. A police car pulled in behind me this morning with lights flashing & sirens blaring. Why do my thoughts immediately jump to "what did I do??!" Anyhow, he was on his way to an accident further down. Between traffic and gapers' block, I was late to work. I ignore the far-off sirens when I'm on the bike path… Sigh.

[JennK13]

Cant believe it's the same day it was this morning! Was cloudy and raining until after 3 today. But i heard it was supposed to clear up. So i brought my Fuji to work with me (dropped the commuter off at the LBS at lunch for a tune up), along with a change of clothes for tomorrow, and rode home leaving my car at work. Absolutely gorgeous evening ride home!

[kmehrzad]

This is the second time in the past 2 weeks that I have almost been intentionally run over.

Patty, so glad to hear that you survived the crazy ordeal and weren't seriously injured.