Jun 11, 2009
Riding Home the Other Night…
… I came to a four way stop. A four way stop where from all four ways, cars want to get onto the freeway. To go home. On our way home. From a day of work.
And so, I stopped. And waited. And watched as each way had their turn. And then it was my turn. And I went. Straight ahead. Next to a car that was going straight ahead. Because it’s better that way – to ride with a car sometimes, so that no other cars from any of the other three ways, hit you – because while they may not see you on the bike, they’ll at least see the car.
But the car gassed it and flew away from me fast. And there I was, in the middle of the intersection, alone. And while I was there, in the middle of the intersection, a black mercedes drove into the intersection and we made contact. My front wheel to her bumper and my right side to her hood.
And it was in slow motion. Slow enough that I knew and felt and thought about how she was going to hit me. And if I would get hurt. She never looked at me.
Afterwards. I stood there staring at her and she rolled down the window. And before I said anything, she said calmly, I didn’t even see you.
And I said, I know, you didn’t look my way, you just went. And she said, I’m so sorry, I didn’t even see you. And we just looked at each other. And I said, you HAVE to look. We’re out here. We’re everywhere. We’re here.
Look for us.
And she said, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.
We spoke calmly to each other. Like we were in line. At the grocery store. And cars were lining up at all the stops while we were in the middle of the intersection. We were talking. Not yelling. Not angry. We were there, just talking. And everything around us was frozen. Time stood still.
In the middle of the intersection.
And then someone honked, for us to get out the way. And she squeezed my arm. And I squeezed her shoulder. And we both continued on our way, in separate directions. Home.
I’m very happy to hear that you were not hurt in your accident, Lauren.
After a summer of cars regularly cutting across my path who “didn’t see me”, I’ve resigned myself to accessorizing my BD with lots and lots of high-power blinky lights. I’ve been riding with the Planet Bike Blaze 1W in the front and a SuperFlash in the rear. When we get closer to the fall and it darkens earlier, I’ll get a down-low glow.
One tip, try to stay in their sightlines and out of their “A” pillar blind spots.
Scott
thanks scott! lights are such a good idea. i’ve got a downlow glow – and when it’s dark, with it’s brightness, it almost feels like it’s safer than riding during the day.
it seems like if we make a point to catch their eye – when in the sight line – it registers for them, that we’re right there. that’s a good tip!
this women looked straight the entire time. busy 4 way stops make me so nervous now.
Lauren,
I’m so glad you’re OK! And I’m so impressed you didn’t yell at her. I’d like to think your chat resonated with her more than yelling would have. Good for you. Be safe out there.
btw – Tim wove Christmas lights into his basket and he still uses them at night – even though the holidays are long over. Drivers stop him constantly to tell him how visible he is. You’re right, we’re safer in darkness than we are in the light.
oooh christmas lights on the xtracycle! i like that!
Yes, sometimes using a car as a shield works, but…while a shield protects, it also hides; so use it carefully.
When I teach cycling safety courses the point I make over and over is: your first priority is to be seen by the drivers who may be on a collision course with you; you do this first and foremost by positioning yourself correctly, secondarily by having the appropriate clothing and lights.
At a 4-way stop, if you command the lane (don’t hug the curb) and take your turn, the other drivers will see you because you are exactly where they are looking for other vehicles to be.