Hit

Welp, I suppose that the myths are true. If you bike long enough - you will get hit by a car. I try my best to swim out of my anger pool and just be enthralled that I wasn't seriously hurt.

The Story:

Location: Irving and Broadway Intersection

Direction: East-bound

Aggressive Biking Mode: OFF

As I was enjoying the post-rain sunshine on my way home from the Lincoln Square 'AppleFest' I was struck by a white Bonneville that was driven by a black male with dreds.

As some of you might know, this intersection gets a little crazy, as there are typically cars stopped turning left onto Broadway or Claredon. As I rode through the Broadway intersection, there was NO cars waiting to turn left. However, apparently despite the moving traffic this driver wasn't satisfied with his position in line. From behind me - he passed the car in the left lane (which was NOT stopped, but moving along normally) and attempted to squeeze between me on my bike and said car.

I first noticed this when I saw the corner of his car approx. 4 inches from the heel of my left foot. Before I could completely get out, "OH SHI...!", he floored his car rolling me and my bike down the side of his car ripping his side mirror off, dangling now from a single cable. There was no doubt that he saw me, tried this dumb move, and then ran. He saw me, he definitely heard me (between me yelling some explicatives and the sound of me hitting his car), but no...he ran. A young couple driving an SUV behind me stopped to check to see if I was okay, and then offered to chase after the guy in an attempt to get his plate. I very appreciatively accepted their offer, unfortunately, they came back in a few minutes with nothing - idiot driver had gotten away.

With the acception of a nice bruise and cut on my leg, everything - including my bike - is fine. Now I'm only mentally scarred. I've been commuting 19mi (each way) to Elmhurst about once a week over the last few months. Now I'm freaked to ride.

Question: How long after you got hit did you get back out? Change anything? Any wiser? Or are we all just destine to become a speedbump?

Ride on,

-Brian

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rachel Miller on September 28, 2011 at 12:38pm

I'd say get back out there when you're ready, and if it helps, just take short trips to the store or to grab food or something to start out. I got hit by a cab a few years ago and broke my shoulder, so I wasn't able to ride either way and by the time my injury healed I was itching to get back on a bike. Last winter, I was in an accident that left me with a concussion and I was on my bike the next day. I had to lay off for a few days, but I wasn't able to keep away from my bike for very long :) You'll be okay!