Chris Carmichael saved my life...

[maggie's sister]

I was finishing the last mile of my Tuesday night hill ride, on a street with a bike lane, when I came within five inches of my second car into bike crash. I was riding downhill toward an intersection with a light (we had the green). A woman passed me in the car lane, then immediately turned right at the intersection. Not surprisingly she didn't use a turn signal. This was going to be ugly. But, then suddenly I remembered reading a Carmichael article on road safety about two years ago. The article recommended turning with the car, so I did. When we both came to a stop, I was about five inches from her car.

I looked at her and she hadn't even lowered her cell phone. I was shaky for the next hour. I'm going to have to dig into my suitcase of courage for tonight's ride.

[beccaB]

WOW. I'm going to have to remember that one. That nearly happened to us recently , twice. One time it was two motorcycles pulling off into an overlook at the Blue Ridge parkway. It was incredibly rude because we were climbing a beast of a hill, and those motorcyclists are always complaining about drivers being inconsiderate.The other time was on our neighborhood ride, but we already know drivers around here where we live are idiots.

[Biciclista]

wow, Maggie, glad you're ok. did you scold the woman???

[maggie's sister]

I didn't get a chance to really scold her since she sped off as soon as I was clear of her car. I don't think that she had any clue that she was in the wrong.

[Tri Girl]

WoW- glad you're OK, Maggie!!! How terrifying! I will remember that! Stupid drivers-- they just don't realize we can be going so fast- they're so stuck in their own little worlds. I'm glad you came out of it unscathed (well, physically- emotionally it hurt).

[TrekTheKaty]

Wow. That's a good tip. I have an intersection where I've had two close calls. The second time, the women cut in front of me then STOPPED sideways across the two lanes because there was traffic in the right turn lane. My husband pounded on her passenger window, but she was on the phone

Now I just take the whole lane.

Anyone noticed how many kids on bikes are talking on the phone? We don't have a prayer when they turn 16.

[OakLeaf]

Now I just take the whole lane.

I'm a huge advocate of taking the lane, but if someone's going to right-hook you, they will go into the left lane, run oncoming traffic off the road, and STILL right hook you. Just had it happen last week ... good thing someone was paying attention.

[maggie's sister]

Thanks for all the back up today. I am a little apprehensive as the end of the day at the office and ride time near. If I don't get on the bike today, I won't get on the bike tomorrow...

I know that, logically, the probability of the same thing happening again today is statistically insignificant. Sigh.

[redrhodie]

Ride a little slower than usual tonight. That's what I do if I'm recovering from a crazy driver. Try to keep it from becoming stressful. You did a great job, and your cycling skills are excellent. You should be proud of yourself for avoiding that.

[Tri Girl]

you're right- if you don't get on your bike today you might not ever get back on. You can do it. Be extra aggressive with cars and not only take the lane, but make sure they see you (and if you can ride down that same stretch again and not have an incident it will be even better for your confidence).
Get back out there, girl, and OWN your ride!!

[grey]

I will remember that! I had a close call with a similar situation in my neighborhood a few years ago. It scared the crap out of me! I yelled - the lady's windows were down - but I don't think she had a single clue that I almost landed myself across the back of her car because of her stupidity. Thankfully I was able to swerve left, but I missed by inches.

[Tri Girl]

so how was your ride home?

[maggie's sister]

Yesterday's ride was great. I was a little more cautious at first, but after a few miles fell into my old rhythm. I was more apt to take a lane when needed and even rode through the same intersection.

I also noticed that the BF was a little more attentive to my whereabouts last night.

Thanks for the great advice and support.

[jessmarimba]

Glad you're ok. I'm always wary of drivers who look like they're about to do this. Some people have genuinely asked in the comments sections on news articles on bike stuff in Denver what they should do in a situation like that (driving alongside a cyclist, need to turn right). The idea of slowing down and turning behind the cyclist hasn't really occurred to most of them.

(Can I just say, it's hilarious to me - as someone who went by Blahblah's Sister in my running group for years - that we have all automatically shortened her name to Maggie even though her user name clearly states that Maggie is her sister )

[buffybike]

Good advice from Carmichael. I'll have to share it with my accident-prone husband.