Very scary stuff. I’ve had a couple of run-ins with cars that could have been worse than they turned out to be. One was one of those parked-driver-opens-door situations, where I hit the edge of the door with my right shoulder and side - as my right arm was going through where I’d expected a window to be, I remember hoping that the window was rolled down, because the alternative was not good. (Fortunately, it was down.) The other was when a van that had passed me up not more than 10 seconds prior turned right, cutting me off, and knocking me off my bicycle onto the (grassy) shoulder. Both times I came out of it merely bruised and shaken.
I tried to be a very good, law-abiding, cautious bicycle rider, and I guess I could look at those accidents on the bright side by realizing they weren’t my fault and weren’t all that bad.
Second, I’m suddenly sad that I’m going to be moving. I once drove all the way around my condo complex and it came in at 3 miles exactly. So, I usually ride my bike here - getting in at least 6 miles in the good weather. The streets are pretty wide for a residential area. They are also pretty well lit and virtually empty at night. It’s very easy to see oncoming traffic and to stay out of its way. I love riding here because it’s so safe. Even still, I have reflectors on my bike and helmet (which I ALWAYS wear).
Unfortunatley, between the snow and the cold and my recent back and leg problems, I haven’t ridden in almost a year. I miss my bike
monstro, you’re one of my favorite Dopers. Man, I’m glad you’re all right! Take care of yourself, will you? I’ll be spending a weekend in New York this summer and you’re one of the people I was hoping to meet!
I’m glad the guy who hit you behaved more than decently. I spend so much time in the Pit, it’s refreshing to read about the good guys.
CJ
Wow, good thing you’re okay. I know the area you’re talking about, and it’s good to know the driver wasn’t at fault. I live in South Miami right across from UM. My ex-roommate used to ride her bike to school when we lived together at the Dadeland Marriott. She’d come home with all kinds of stories of near death experiences, she almost got hit many times but thankfully always escaped the car. Since I’ve been here I’ve determined that people in Miami drive like maniacs; they have no consideration for pedistrians. It’s great to hear that the driver you encountered was so nice, even though he was just covering his ass.
