The Chainlink

Think of this as a Missed Connection.

You blew the red light east bound on Lawrence at Damen at 5:26 pm this evening.

 

There was enough time for the biker in front of me to make it half way into the intersection, northbound on Damen, before you came whizzing past my front wheel.

 

I yelled "You're an idiot!" at your big haired chick, self, and you looked back at me. I meant it!

 

I woulda testified for any of the cars, that managed to not kill you, if they had.

 

Keep riding like a tard!

love,

gabe

 

Witness bad behavior during your commute? Feel free to post. Maybe that lovely human can read it and think they are famous. Maybe you can also inspire the whole generation of kids to shower but we can start with small things.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Andrew on October 9, 2013 at 11:11am

131008, 7:35 PM, Monticello @ Cortland: If, as a pair of cyclists traveling together, you're going to ride the wrong way down a one-way street, perhaps at least stay on the same side of the street?

131009, 9:00 AM-ish, Diversey/Milwaukee/Kimball:  It would have never occurred to me to sit on my bike in this intersection during morning rush hour and plainly fire up a one-hitter.  It not only occurred to you, but you turned that thought into an action item.

Permalink Reply by Michelle on October 9, 2013 at 11:14am
I connected :(
With a dude who decided he didn't need to check the bike lane before making a left onto Milwaukee in the first gap he saw, ignoring my fluorescent pink shirt, headlight, bell, and screaming. I hooked his tail light off his car with my handlebars and possibly I've broken my ankle (luckily I work for orthopedic surgeons.)

I called the cops and they did a report but I don't think they issued any citation to the dude- even though he tried to run. A man in a suit on a divvy chased him down and he played dumb, like he didn't know what happened. His car was already all dented On the left side like he'd done this before but with a car. He was irate, even with the cops.

I don't think they issued him a citation? Luckily I work for orthopaedic surgeons so my healthcare is taken care of- messed up my ankle pretty good though.

Ugh.
Permalink Reply by Michelle on October 9, 2013 at 12:48pm

Update: no broken ankle. Badly sprained and on crutches. But geez. 

Permalink Reply by Huck1eberry on October 9, 2013 at 1:04pm

That is great news, considering. 

Michelle said:

Update: no broken ankle. Badly sprained and on crutches. But geez. 

Permalink Reply by Bez on October 9, 2013 at 1:12pm

Sucks that you have to be on crutches, but glad it isn't broken.  How's your bike?



Michelle said:

Update: no broken ankle. Badly sprained and on crutches. But geez. 

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on October 9, 2013 at 1:18pm

That stinks. Bad sprains warrant some caution during the recovery period, which can take longer than you think. I've been down that road and learned that, if you get overly optimistic too soon, that sprain can turn into a chronic condition. Wishing you good healing.

Michelle said:

Update: no broken ankle. Badly sprained and on crutches. But geez. 

Permalink Reply by Michelle on October 9, 2013 at 2:48pm

Thank you all! 

The bike looked ok. I am going to have it checked out. I think most of what happened was that my handlebar hit his tailight, and then me and it fell. I dont think there was a lot of impact with the car. Its currently at the fire station, seemed like the best option to keep it safe till I can come get it later, though maybe in hindsight, locking up at Rev. Brewery might have been ok. 

Permalink Reply by Steve Weeks on October 9, 2013 at 3:07pm

Glad to hear it's not worse!

This morning I was headed to the ADA building on Chicago Avenue. Crossing the bridge over the river, there was a guy in an SUV laying on the horn. I was off to the right, but it was a tight squeeze, and I guess he didn't think he could fit (he was right!). So he eventually got alongside of me and yelled "What the fuck are you doing on the road? You're not a car!" There was no time to interact properly, so I just gave him the finger (practially through his window) and asked "Can you count?"

Sadly, he had a young child in the front seat. 8-O

I would have liked to explain the law, then ask him how he would feel if his daughter were treated the same way... but no time.

My normal response, if time permits, is "Do you not understand the law, or are you just ignorant? Let me help you."

Steve

Michelle said:

Update: no broken ankle. Badly sprained and on crutches. But geez. 

Permalink Reply by Ann Sch 9.3 on October 9, 2013 at 3:12pm

Michelle, so sorry this happened to you.  I assume you already followed everyone's crash hotline advice.  My advice is the same as Anne's - learned the hard way, ankle sprains are often more painful, and longer recovering than breaks.  SERIOUSLY do not push through pain - it may take a year easy to fully recover from a bad sprain.

Michelle said:

Update: no broken ankle. Badly sprained and on crutches. But geez. 

Permalink Reply by Thedutchtouch on October 9, 2013 at 4:48pm
You:lakefront lance. Me:enjoying a leisurely ride. I was headed south on the lakefront path, you were merging on to it from a side path. I swung as far left as I could without crossing to the other side of the path, and pointed out my direction of travel. We made eye contact, we both slowed down, but then you for some reason kept rolling right on forward. I slow down, you keep creeping forward. I come to a complete stop, even though I have the right of way, and you crash into the side of my front wheel. Those things in your hands, yeah, the handlebars, they allow you to turn left or right. They also carry brake levers which allow you to stop. Any one of those three would have avoided this slow speed crash, but true to form, you refused to deviate from your path. Hope your cervelo is OK, my bike is just fine, thanks for not asking before you took off in a huff.

The other 24.99 miles of my ride today were beautiful and uneventful.
Permalink Reply by Davo on October 9, 2013 at 5:04pm

watch out roadie wrath may be upon you soon



Thedutchtouch said:

You:lakefront lance. Me:enjoying a leisurely ride. I was headed south on the lakefront path, you were merging on to it from a side path. I swung as far left as I could without crossing to the other side of the path, and pointed out my direction of travel. We made eye contact, we both slowed down, but then you for some reason kept rolling right on forward. I slow down, you keep creeping forward. I come to a complete stop, even though I have the right of way, and you crash into the side of my front wheel. Those things in your hands, yeah, the handlebars, they allow you to turn left or right. They also carry brake levers which allow you to stop. Any one of those three would have avoided this slow speed crash, but true to form, you refused to deviate from your path. Hope your cervelo is OK, my bike is just fine, thanks for not asking before you took off in a huff.

The other 24.99 miles of my ride today were beautiful and uneventful.
Permalink Reply by Anika on October 9, 2013 at 8:04pm
Glad you are ok. I came up on you after the accident and the fire department was already there. Was watching from the yoga studio at that corner and was just heading out to offer to lock up your bike when the guys climbed on to the truck with it. At least it will be safe until you can pick it up.



Michelle said:

Thank you all! 

The bike looked ok. I am going to have it checked out. I think most of what happened was that my handlebar hit his tailight, and then me and it fell. I dont think there was a lot of impact with the car. Its currently at the fire station, seemed like the best option to keep it safe till I can come get it later, though maybe in hindsight, locking up at Rev. Brewery might have been ok. 

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