General Cycling Discussion - I "was" going riding today but

got hit by a minivan. When it hit me it didn't seem very "mini". :crash:
I was walking to Home Depot earlier today (only 5 blocks from my house). I was crossing at an intersection where a side street runs into a main road. I was about 1/4 of the way across the street when the van began slowing before pulling out into the main road. The driver didn't come to a complete stop for the stop sign. Only looked to the left because she was turning right and proceeded to hit me. She said later that she was late picking up her kids and in a hurry. Duh!!
When she hit me the right front tire ripped the skin off my right leg (from the knee to the ankle) just before running over my right foot. As the van continued turning it hit my left leg and tore some skin off the knee and then knocked me down. I'm glad she stopped and there was a witness who also stopped and called 911.
Luckily nothing is broken but my right leg and left knee are really sore.
I suppose tomorrow I'll know just how sore I'll be :o and how long I'll be out of the saddle. :(

That's stinks but glad you're not too hurt. Hopefully your recovery will be quick. :)

Wow - what a story! It's a real bummer getting hit like that, but I don't have to tell you, it could have been a heck of a lot worse. Gook luck with your recovery. I hope you're not off the bike long!

I guess that's when a mini-van isn't mini - when it hits you!! (At least you still have your sense of humor!)

Not that the blame goes totally to the driver---but you really need to be more carefull----be it riding or walking---make eye contact with the driver----if there is a cell phone attached to their ear----don't even think about stepping out into traffic.

Even being in the right will get you killed. Hope the recovery goes well.

Not that the blame goes totally to the driver---but you really need to be more carefull----be it riding or walking---make eye contact with the driver----

I gave up relying on eye contact years ago when I realised that even being "seen" doesn't mean that anybody actually cares you were there. Now I just look at the vehicle and try to predict what the driver is physically capable of doing from that position.

I hope she learned a lesson and feels terrible. I hope it keeps her up at night, and she is forever viligent in her driving.

I'm sorry, and I hope you're back in the saddle tomorrow. Thank goodness you weren't on your bike and it was damaged, as well :)

OMG Ron! I hope you are not too sore, and have a speedy recovery.

What a moron. As if "being late to pick up the brood of mini morons" makes it OK to hit you.

OWWWW! Van rash!

It hurt just reading that. I am glad you're not badly injured.

You know, running late to pick up the kids is always a good reason for running over someone. Someday people are going to realize that if you just leave five minutes earlier, you can slow down, still get there on time, and greatly reduce your stress.

Just five lousy minutes. That's all it takes.

Hope you get better soon...
Did you at least dent the van, and I hope your legs are shaved...:)
j/k
Get well and back in the saddle soon....

Wow! You sound lucky. I hope you recover quickly.
Just why is it when someone's late they make it someone else's problem? Ah yes, the typical pass the buck symdrome.

I hope she learned a lesson and feels terrible. I hope it keeps her up at night, and she is forever viligent in her driving.

Rant mode on: Frankly, I hope she suffers from some terrible misfortune that prevents her from ever driving again. It might just make our roads a safer place. Of course, it would be ideal if that "misfortune" was at the hands of law enforcement so that others might learn from it (and rest assured, there are plenty of others who would benefit from such a lesson). Rant mode off.

Not that the blame goes totally to the driver---but you really need to be more carefull----be it riding or walking---make eye contact with the driver----if there is a cell phone attached to their ear----don't even think about stepping out into traffic.

Even being in the right will get you killed. Hope the recovery goes well.

this is not directed at you Omaharider, just using your quote to get my point across

(rant on) Yes she is totally at fault, no one to blame but her and her stupid, in-a-hurry, lame excuse for hitting someone.
Wake up people and start making others take responsibility for their actions. I am so tired of everyone trying to push blame everywhere except where it belongs. Society is falling apart because of this,( in my opinion) and the children are picking up all these bad habits from worthless adults that blame everybody but themselves for their wrong doings. It all goes back to being raised with some sort of values I think, and having pride in yourself and what you stand for. Nobody seems to give a crap anymore. Is it so hard to admit when you screw up, and if you don't want to have to admit it, try your best NOT to screw up and the amount of appologizing will be at a minium. (rant off)


Thanks for the vent...back to your regular scheduled list topics

hope you recover quickly and good luck

I gave up relying on eye contact years ago when I realised that even being "seen" doesn't mean that anybody actually cares you were there. Now I just look at the vehicle and try to predict what the driver is physically capable of doing from that position.

I follow this reasoning as well.

I still try to use eye contact but I've learned it won't stop someone from driving into you.

2 times, after I was hit by a car I had the opportunity to talk to the drivers who hit me (and I did make eye contact with) and I asked, "Did you see me?"

Both drivers said yes and couldn't explain why they continued on to hit me when all they had to do was yeild to my legal right of way by stepping on the brakes.

Not that the blame goes totally to the driver---but you really need to be more carefull----be it riding or walking---make eye contact with the driver----if there is a cell phone attached to their ear----don't even think about stepping out into traffic. But the blame does go totally to the driver. It's a crosswalk. Vehicles yield. This was 100% the driver's fault, legally. When you step into a crosswalk, you're not "stepping out into traffic". You are traffic (pedestrian traffic).

When I'm crossing a street in front of a stopped/stopping car, and not absolutely certain that the driver sees me, I walk as close in front of it as possible (the less distance the car can accelerate, the better). Any sign of movement, BOOM, fist on hood. Not to "punish" the driver or get revenge, but to establish, by what is often the only means the driver understands, that someone IS in the crosswalk, and s/he MUST stop.

if there is a cell phone attached to their ear----don't even think about stepping out into traffic.


That will leave the total pedestrian population of California stuck at a corner for all eternity. :D


someone IS in the crosswalk, and s/he MUST stop.

You have never been to Miami, have you? Cars pass in front and behind you at the same time while you are in a cross walk. And they blow the horn at you too. School buses regularly run redlights too. Totally third world driving. I'm glad I'm outta there! :mad:

Try the Florida Keys. People will go NORTH on the southbound lane of US1 at MM100 when it divides into a widely split 4-laner. I had to move (haha move) the minivan into the other lane, hit the horn, and three blocks later the bonehead ran a Pizza delivery guy off the road, still without the idea that the 6 million <<<===ONE WAY signs are obviously referring to that road and the fact that he got the South Florida Salute from everyone behind me...

...speaking of which, maybe I ought to make a couple of 20' ONE WAY signs with blinking pattern lights and everything. Could you have an excuse for NOT seeing something that fills your entire field of view in front of you?

...you are fortunate your injuries are such. Minivans can weigh up to 2.7 tons (over 5000 lbs!) and don't drive as responsive as you would think, except for the top two minivans, 'cause they were made to go fast. The "mini" in minivan seems to refer to the V6 FWD vs. the V8/10 RWD monsters filling the "Full-Size Van" market...

Anyways, hope you recover well, and keep on riding when you are healed! Don't let this nuisance get the better of you...

Couple of years ago an old guy ran a stop sign & my husband was on his bike (had right of way) & he ended up running into the car, which had crossed the intersection right in his path of travel. The guy's excuse for not stopping at the stop sign was that he wasn't from this area (NH license plates on his car). They must not have stop signs in NH!

Hope you're recovery is quick & you make her pay for her stupidity!

When I'm crossing a street in front of a stopped/stopping car, and not absolutely certain that the driver sees me, I walk as close in front of it as possible (the less distance the car can accelerate, the better). Any sign of movement, BOOM, fist on hood. Not to "punish" the driver or get revenge, but to establish, by what is often the only means the driver understands, that someone IS in the crosswalk, and s/he MUST stop.
Try this in certain parts of L.A. and you might live to regret it. In New York, if the cars didn't queeze through the pedestrians, they never make a turn.

We each do whatever we can. Self preservation is very instinctive.

55/Rad

I got hit on by bike when i was 12 and it almost cut my finger off but she had to drop off her daughter at the dance lesson first before she dropped me off at home. I was iun the middle of the crosswalk with the green light.

Just an hour and a half ago, I was coming back from lunch (with my co-worker in his Trans Am convertible :D ) and saw a bicyclist get hit! We were going through town on the southbound, 3 lane side of the business route & there was a woman in a Chevy Lumina who was pulling out of a side street. She was looking left at the oncoming, one-way traffice before getting ready to turn right with the traffic.
Just as she started to pull out, a guy on a Mountain Bike came from the south (her right side) and she bumped into him!

She never looked that way to her right, but the bicyclist was riding against traffic also. I guess they both messed up there. He kind of kicked away from the bumper and hood and actually jumped off the bike and landed on both feet before he got pushed all the way over! There were both so stunned, he just hopped back on and kept riding. I bet at the very least, he's gonna have to get his wheels trued. Glad to see he was ok most importantly.

RonH, I pray you have a quick recovery! Glad it wasn't any worse.

Seems like more and more, people are paying less attention to driving. I must admit I have even noticed that about myself lately & realize I need to make an intentional effort. We've added alot to our driving experience in the recent years: Fast food, cell-phones, navigation systems, dvd players, and the kids in the rear seats have thier own set of things that are taking our attention, like their fast food and portable gaming systems, etc. We better check ourselves!!!

-jeff