Commuting - I will never ride again...

What are the odds of being hit twice in less than a year? Apparently pretty good if you live in Owensboro, KY. The first time I was hit, was on 9/22/08. The second time was at 1:45p.m. today, while on my way to work.

I was at an intersection. I stopped at a stop sign and proceeded onto the main road by turning right. (there is about 15 - 20feet between the stop sign and the main road...awkward design). As I turned onto the main road, a car was coming from that direction and making a left. The driver crossed the center line completely and proceeded into her fast, left handed turn. She left me nowhere to go. I of course, yelled to get her attention. I didn't get it. I swerved as close to the curve as possible and still took the side mirror of of her car, left a 3 foot long dent in her car, and ended up on the grassy shoulder beyond the curb.

She gets out, tells me I was in her way, and asks if I was hurt. I told her I thought I was ok, so she gets in her car to leave. I yell out I was calling the cops (my bike is unrideable) and she stops (she moved her car to the correct side of the road). The cops show up and talk to her. She claims I ran the stop sign. He talks to me and accuses me of running the stop sign. I asked him his reasoning, and he said that he has seen me do it before (i probally have, but didn't then). I told him that I stopped and went because it was clear, and that she turned into my lane. He then told me that I don't own the lane and that I was at fault.

Welcome to the attitude in Owensboro. I of course, have his name. If the police report tells anything but the truth, I will throw the biggest hissy fit ever seen in history.

As for commuting by bike, it is over. I am done. Best of luck to all of you, but I am tired of risking my life with close calls.

Sorry to hear.

Get a lawyer.

I hope you got the ******bag cop's name. What a ******bag.

Sorry to hear.

Get a lawyer.

I hope you got the ******bag cop's name. What a ******bag.

Unfortunately, it probably wouldn't do any good. I wouldn't give up though. Give it some time.

If you were hit twice in one year, it sounds like you've been putting yourself into compromising positions. If you're not going to ride, you're not going to ride, but if you do perhaps a slight rethink/paradigm shift is in order.

Best of luck either way.

If you were hit twice in one year, it sounds like you've been putting yourself into compromising positions. If you're not going to ride, you're not going to ride, but if you do perhaps a slight rethink/paradigm shift is in order.

Best of luck either way.

I wear a high visibility reflective vest, have reflective tape all over my bike, have a 12 volt 55 watt lawn and garden spotlight for a headlight, take the lane when appropriate, get to the side when common sense dictates, wear a helmet with reflective tape on it, and follow the rules of the road and even signal my turns. I am Fredish.

maybe I should just drive irresponsibly and never be accountable for my actions like some people, but I personally believe that rules and laws should be followed. So, in short, rethinking/paradigm shift is happening. I chose to take up bike riding, and I am choosing now that it is too dangerous.

No other witnesses?

Unfortunately, it probably wouldn't do any good.

And you say this based on what? It sounds like the cop shot from the hip on this one, and OP has plenty of grounds for both a civil suit and criminal charges.

The only witness was a man who was cutting grass nearby. He said he looked up because he heard me yell, and saw her hit me. THen he continued on cutting his grass...

I had to go get him and ask him if he saw anything and to ask him to give a statement.

I also had a witness for the cops negative attitude. I had called my coworker to come pick up my bike, and she overheard what the cop was saying to me.

I'm sure you didn't come here to get beat up and micro-analyzed.
But I just can't grasp your accident scenario.
You were in the process of turning right. She was making a sloppy left and takes the oncoming lane rather than making a proper 45 degree turn. She clips you in your lane. What does running a stop sign have to do with her illegally being in the oncoming traffic lane?
Was there no shoulder? Was there not enough time for a ditch dive with a vehicle bearing down on you?
Don't give up. Get mad.
An inexpensive disposable camera should be in every commuters tool bag.

If you were hit twice in one year, it sounds like you've been putting yourself into compromising positions. If you're not going to ride, you're not going to ride, but if you do perhaps a slight rethink/paradigm shift is in order.

Best of luck either way.

The first time I was hit, I was T-boned when the driver ran a stop sign...

I know...now I am venting...must stop....

And you say this based on what? It sounds like the cop shot from the hip on this one, and OP has plenty of grounds for both a civil suit and criminal charges.

Ever try and suing a cop for anything? They routinely get away with far worse behavior.

Wgaynor: Sorry to hear about this. I must say based on your sig line I'm a little surprised the women who hit you is still alive. Nevertheless, I have officially checked Owensboro, KY off my list of towns to tour through next Summer. Perhaps a similar move is in your future.

I wear a high visibility reflective vest, have reflective tape all over my bike, have a 12 volt 55 watt lawn and garden spotlight for a headlight, take the lane when appropriate, get to the side when common sense dictates, wear a helmet with reflective tape on it, and follow the rules of the road and even signal my turns. I am Fredish.

Dear lord. Maybe they're aiming for you.

I am a gun-hating, big-city, devil-worshiping liberal tree hugger, but I still have to say: Sorry to hear about your accident. Hope the police report is filed fairly and truthfully.

Suck it up, Get back on your New Bike and life goes on

Can I say HTFU and ride? or is that innapropriate? I never know.... :P
(jk, mostly)
but really man, that sucks. I'm sorry!

Wgaynor: Sorry to hear about this. I must say based on your sig line I'm a little surprised the women who hit you is still alive. Nevertheless, I have officially checked Owensboro, KY off my list of towns to tour through next Summer. Perhaps a similar move is in your future.

funny you mentioned that about marking this city off of your list of towns to tour through. THere was an article in the paper last week about how cops and motorists must learn to share the road and cyclist must learn to follow the rules of the road.

As for my sig line surprising you that the lady is still alive, I would never harm a lady. Or a man for that instance. ...unless it was necessary to defend my life or my family's.

Evansville here... I feel your pain. I wish the best in whatever you decide. I hope you will ride again.

Best regards,

Mike

Disposable camera. Immediately start taking pictures as soon as your up. I know it sounds bad, but even if your scabby and bleeding, you've got the proof that she moved her vehicle before the police got there to parlay a 'he did it!' argument.

I would take it to court. A police officer using the "I've seen you do it before" defense is not admissible. Is he indicating he has failed to ticket you for known violations he witnessed? Well then he's not doing his job, period.

Ex-Military and your letting a couple of bumps and bruises scare you off?

What exactly were you doing in the military, piloting a desk?

You have reflective tape, but do you have a horn? You may need two...

First off wgaynor I'm glad to hear you are relatively alright. I do hope you do not stop commuting, rather take some time away as needed.

It sounds like from your description it is a four way intersection. She was making a left hand turn and cut the corner really sharply (thus going into another lane to hit you), is this correct? You meanwhile were making a right hand turn and the car hit you. The mirror you describe being taken off is then the "driver's side" mirror and the dent is on the drivers side of the door?

Although it is a little late I would still go back and take pictures of the intersection and where the accident took place at. Also take a picture of the womans vehicle where the damage occured. I think you would be able to get her information from the police report. Definetely double check the accuracy of the report and if it has a diagram of the intersection where everything is located at. It is good you have both a coworker and witness who can give thier accounts of where the bike was located at also (assuming you did not move the bike prior to the police showing up) and what they saw or heard.

I am not a lawyer but you may want to find one or consult with one.

I'm sorry to hear that you were in a wreck.

I was born in Owensboro and return occasionally to visit family. My grandfather rides on some of the bike paths around the city. Would it be possible to incorporate those into your commute so that you could avoid traffic?

Sorry to hear of your accident and am glad you're ok. If you do decide to not ride anymore, don't give up. Take up a sport like tennis, running or maybe a local soccer team. Get a track bike if there is a nearby track or see if there is a rowing team at a nearby lake.
It doesn't necessarily have to be bicycling, just something that involves plenty of exercise and good cardio.
Ernest

Two things:
AirZound horn, 115db.
T-ball bat.

ONE of them will get the attention of even the densest idiot.

Simple answer, move out of the backwards south. I have never met more selfish people then in the south, or most republicans. I'd be ditching the bike if I were in your shoes too. Sounds like a bad place to bike.

Simple answer, move out of the backwards south. I have never met more selfish people then in the south, or most republicans. I'd be ditching the bike if I were in your shoes too. Sounds like a bad place to bike.

You obviously never been to Texas. :notamused::mad:

You obviously never been to Texas. :notamused::mad:

Hey....Texas was a slave state and part of the confederacy. What makes it not part of the south? Or are you claiming that Texas is the exception to southern idiocy?

Because I can assure you that this part of Texas is not even remotely close to being bike friendly.

Simple answer, move out of the backwards south. I have never met more selfish people then in the south, or most republicans. I'd be ditching the bike if I were in your shoes too. Sounds like a bad place to bike.

What a jackhole thing to say.

Two things:
AirZound horn, 115db.
T-ball bat.

ONE of them will get the attention of even the densest idiot.

U-lock in tucked in belt > bat.

There's a lot of dented Mercedes and BMWs around here...

I am not a lawyer but you may want to find one or consult with one.

My sentiments exactly. Take photographs of the area. Get your witness statements. A diagram should be able to show exactly where and how the accident took place. It will probably show that the driver did NOT see you or yield to you in the lane. The police officers accusation that you "probably" ran the stop sign because he saw it before will not be admissible in court (if it were true he had an obligation to ticket you when he did).

GET A LAWYER! And good luck!

Get a lawyer, srsly.

Oh, and I would never personally move to the South, too many bad experience there. But people's homes are their homes, and it's never gonna get better if all the good people leave.

Or are you claiming that Texas is the exception to southern idiocy?



I thought they did it bigger and better in Texas :P

Oh, and I would never personally move to the South, too many bad experience there. But people's homes are their homes, and it's never gonna get better if all the good people leave.

Yes, surely things like this can be easily categorized into such specific geographic categories as "The South" and "Not the South". This is definitely not something that would have happened north of the Mason-Dixon line.

Ever try and suing a cop for anything? They routinely get away with far worse behavior.

Did I say sue the cop?

Again, I'm not sure what your original response was based on. It sounded, frankly, like a sweeping unqualified statement whose basis is emotional rather than factual. The guy got hit. The motorist was in the wrong. There are witnesses. The cop mis-handled the situation and failed in his duty, but he's not the main problem here, just a speedbump. I'd be astonished if OP truly had no remedy under those circumstances.

Simple answer, move out of the backwards south. I have never met more selfish people then in the south, or most republicans. I'd be ditching the bike if I were in your shoes too. Sounds like a bad place to bike.

This comment is just silly and/or immature. I myself am a northerner liberal democrat, but please...there are careless and/or ignorant people scattered everywhere.

I am not a mod but please keep these types of inflammatory remarks to yourself.

To the OP, I hope you heal up and reconsider riding again in the future.

wgaynor, sometimes the same thing happens multiple times in short period of time then never happens for years afterwards. Maybe this is the case for you, the wife and I were nearly run into the curb by different drivers two days apart in the same spot. We've taken measures to eliminate having that type of incident from happening again, so far, it has worked.

You could take measures like we did, if you are not wearing bright colored clothing, get some, use of a strobe headlight at intersections you may have had constant issues with motorist turning/pulling out in front of you, or just ride like you're invisible, and all motorist's are crazy and unpredictable.

I've been fortunate, all the years I've been riding a bicycle, I've never been hit by a car, and it wasn't all due to luck.

"I have never met more selfish people then in the south, or most republicans."

To hear Democrats tell it, only conservative Republicans indulge in condemning people based on stereotypes. Glad to have PROOF that it just isn't so!

Truly odd, but some of the best riding I've done was across Tx. Generous people, and even though the road I was on had huge shoulders, I'd often as not get full lane away passes. Admittedly, it was rural, though. I did have some "Bubbah with the pickup truck" experiences, but often as not, if I happened to run into Bubbah at the convenience store down the road, he was fascinated with my touring stories. Usually the conversation would go like this:

Bubbah: "Hey, where ya riding from?"

Me: "Well, I started out in San Diego."

Bubbah: "Well holy.......!, I could never do that n all my born days!"

He would usually offer me a beer at this point.

Truly odd, but some of the best riding I've done was across Tx. Generous people, and even though the road I was on had huge shoulders, I'd often as not get full lane away passes. Admittedly, it was rural, though. I did have some "Bubbah with the pickup truck" experiences, but often as not, if I happened to run into Bubbah at the convenience store down the road, he was fascinated with my touring stories. Usually the conversation would go like this:

Bubbah: "Hey, where ya riding from?"

Me: "Well, I started out in San Diego."

Bubbah: "Well holy.......!, I could never do that n all my born days!"

He would usually offer me a beer at this point.

Tom, sounds like the 'Southern Tour'? :)
I truly have not met friendlier people all across the southern coast to coast route.
In fact, I was usually the 'rude' northener who politely tried to get moving and get some miles in while many people were very interested in talking to me about my travels.

"I have never met more selfish people then in the south, or most republicans."

To hear Democrats tell it, only conservative Republicans indulge in condemning people based on stereotypes. Glad to have PROOF that it just isn't so!

My experience has been that Democrats condemn and go as far as get violent. Republicans (I prefer the more descriptive term conservatives) may get a little mouthy, but they won't do you physical harm. As this is a bicycling forum this is as far into politics as I care to go. As others have said Texans are as friendly and generous as you're ever going to find in this country. To tar them and stereotype them due to party affiliation is wrong.:notamused:

The truth of the matter is not matter where you are you can find a population where the Drivers' Ed instructors have glossed over the sections stating that under the MV code bicycles are vehicles and the population at large has interbred.

U-lock in tucked in belt > bat.

I'm really liking the idea of a old, heavy U-lock attached to the end of a belt. Swinging that bad boy around would definitely clear a path. And I've got just the circa-1995, ultra-heavy Kryptonite to do the job to go all Bernard Goetz on some folks.

the south isn't all bad, but for the most part not bike friendly. I usually don't have any issues but i also don't live in a tiny city.

southerners can be very friendly and generous . . . . . . . but unfortunately for some they won't extend this friendliness to people who may not share their ethnicity. this is not always the case thankfully.

Simple answer, move out of the backwards south. I have never met more selfish people then in the south, or most republicans. I'd be ditching the bike if I were in your shoes too. Sounds like a bad place to bike.

It's not just the South. I had to deal with all manners of craziness for 10 hours a day when I rode courier in Cleveland. (Check a map, you can't go any further north in Ohio without a boat.) I live in Washington now, and it's further north than Cleveland... and we still have idiots who try and pinch me into parked cars, and who shoot riders with blowdarts. (yes. 4" long blowdarts!)

I've been hit 6 times (over 20 or so years). Never bad enough to end up in a hospital for more than some stitches and a cast, but bad enough to crack 2 helmets and total 3 bikes.
Get a lawyer, get this idiot bimbo to replace your bike, any additional broken items, and pay your medical bills. Then rub some dirt on it and get back out there.

Did I say sue the cop?

Again, I'm not sure what your original response was based on. It sounded, frankly, like a sweeping unqualified statement whose basis is emotional rather than factual. The guy got hit. The motorist was in the wrong. There are witnesses. The cop mis-handled the situation and failed in his duty, but he's not the main problem here, just a speedbump. I'd be astonished if OP truly had no remedy under those circumstances.

Um, okay, you're welcome to believe that. If you're talking about suing the woman who hit him - great, fine, there might be a shot at that. My impression was that the suggestion was to get the cop in trouble for failing to adequately perform his duty. And you have to incredibly privileged and/or naive to honestly believe that there's a realistic chance of getting a police officer for something like this. Protection for incompetent, dangerous or just dishonest police is institutional everywhere you go in the U.S. That was my point. I have no intent of making this a P&R discussion; one of my uncles is a police officer, I appreciate that it's a difficult job, but I think it's also clear that any belief that police officers receive legally appropriate repercussions when they fail to perform their duties correctly simply cannot hold up to the facts.

you're entitled to feel like you want to quit- being hit is traumatic. i remember when i rolled my jeep a few years ago- it took me quite a long time to want to drive again-even when i did have to get behind the wheel i was so anxious it made things very stressful. take some time off and then
get back on the bike-

Ever try and suing a cop for anything? They routinely get away with far worse behavior.

Cop might get off with nothing more than a reprimand (depends on the quality of your lawyer), driver won't.

don't stop commuting! like others have said, take a little time off to relax and get a little distance from the accident. it's really frustrating, i have had a few encounters in my first year of commuting in the city. They legally weren't my fault, but I could have done more to prevent them. I'm getting better at being a vehicle. Not that I'm blaming you, but when you're being careless, you have lapses of judgment and awareness, and when this happens in a car or on a bike, bad stuff happens.

i do agree that the car being in your lane obviously trumps anything else that may have happened.