Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Yesterday I almost didn't come home from my exercise ride

... as I was almost mowed down at a street crossing.
Bike path crosses a t-intersection and continues running parallel to the street which is the perpendicular connecting part of the intersection for a very short while. Car was sitting at the stop sign at the parallel running street and just as I was crossing the street, he peels out to make his left turn. I hit the brakes as hard as I could and he misses me by inches. I just barely get to unclip my left shoe as I loose balance as I'm now stopped dead in the middle of the street. I'm able to hop of my bike without a scratch, but the bike takes a fall as I'm not able to hold it anymore :(

At least the driver stopped and asked me if I was OK. That was at least a highlight. After I told him to be more careful at intersections I hopped back on my bike and finished my 25 mile ride at 16.7mph avg. Wheew.

Thomas

Glad you're okay. I about got mowed over at an intersection, but the guy never stoped because he never saw me because he never bothered to look.

This is why I dislike bike paths that cross roads: motorists are not looking for you. Those crossings are bad spots. I feel a lot safer riding in traffic.

This is why I dislike bike paths that cross roads: motorists are not looking for you. Those crossings are bad spots. I feel a lot safer riding in traffic.

You too,huh?;)

Truly.

This is why I dislike bike paths that cross roads: motorists are not looking for you. Those crossings are bad spots. I feel a lot safer riding in traffic.


I understand that...but on the other hand you don't see many "I got hit crossing the street fron an MUP" threads. A lot of threads about getting hit or killed in traffic.

here in Chicago where my trail crosses streets the streets are painted like railroad crossings instead of the X they have a bicycle picture works very well.

I don't know... I do ride some parts of my ride on the street and sometimes it's scary how close some of the cars come to me. They don't even bother to even move a little into the middle of the street for a safe pass. If I would loose just a bit of balance and swerve a little to the left I'd be toast during such encounters.
At one point I had my trailer with my son in it, which was sporting a huge flag, and I was riding on the street and from behind comes a car and was inches away from clipping my sons trailer. I was so pissed I was trying to catch up with the a-hole at the next red light, but it turned green before I was able to get there. I would have beat the living **** out of him/her if I would have made it. I'm very protective when it comes to my kids and have an extremely short fuse when my kids are in danger.

Thomas

glad you're ok - without trying to make this a VC debate (honest :D ) try riding/behaving as if you were driving a car - If they can squeeze past without having to change lanes then your in the wrong place - move further away from the kerb and dominate the lane.

This keeps most drivers from doing the drift sideways thing while next to you but unfortunately doesn't stop the 1% ass hats.