Commuting - WTF man, hit by a car, again.

Ok, this is the SECOND time this week that I've been hit by a car, once yesterday, once today.
Car had no turn signal on, TLC guy, slowed down so I assumed he was going to pull over to the right to pick up or let off a passenger (as they habitually do) so I went on his left side to pass him. WHAM! He makes a left turn and ended up taking me with him. I unclipped and threw myself away before I could get dragged under and fortunately he stopped in time. The stem was bent 45 degrees from the wheel to the left.
He got out, speechless (plus he spoke very little english). One of the cyclists behind me stopped to check up on me and I told him I was fine.
I motioned the driver to get out of his car, asked him if he was alright and he kind of nodded, speechless. I told him to grab onto my wheel and I bent the stem back so it was relatively straight, put the chain back on and went to work.
Ironically I got clipped when I took my road bike to work yesterday and made it in with 42 solid minutes of riding. Today I took my mtb and made it in with 44 solid minutes of riding. (Computer only counts running time.) Roughly 5% faster on my roadie. I think I'll keep that one at home.

I got hit by a car on Monday.

It was a case where I was making a lefthand turn on a green and a new black lexus on the opposite side of the road lane jumped the gun on his green. Since he was in a fast new car and I was on a significantly slower bicycle making a left, he slammed into me.

Luckily no one was seriously injuried. The driver and passenger were fine. I was only one with bruises. My ride side is sore and I can't seem to grab anyting tightly with my right hand which is scaring me since all I do is work in front of the computer screen.

I seriously think that this is a case where we were both doing the right thing and that a new traffic light with the left on green light should be installed.

I just hope this guy who happens to be a lawyer doesn't force me to pay anything to repair the marks on this car since it wasn't negliance in my part and to a lesser extent negliance on this part thought I truly believe he jumped the gun on his green like a drag car racer.

If this thing passes, I'm going to try to contact him to get the city to change the traffic light at that intersection so it is more bicycle friendly.

The sequence of time laspes in the traffic lights just doesn't support the amount of traffic on that particular road.

By the way, this was on Broadway and Third in downtown San Diego for all of you SD commuters.

I got hit by a car on Monday.

It was a case where I was making a lefthand turn on a green and a new black lexus on the opposite side of the road lane jumped the gun on his green. Since he was in a fast new car and I was on a significantly slower bicycle making a left, he slammed into me.

Luckily no one was seriously injuried. The driver and passenger were fine. I was only one with bruises. My ride side is sore and I can't seem to grab anyting tightly with my right hand which is scaring me since all I do is work in front of the computer screen.

I seriously think that this is a case where we were both doing the right thing and that a new traffic light with the left on green light should be installed.

I just hope this guy who happens to be a lawyer doesn't force me to pay anything to repair the marks on this car since it wasn't negliance in my part and to a lesser extent negliance on this part thought I truly believe he jumped the gun on his green like a drag car racer.

If this thing passes, I'm going to try to contact him to get the city to change the traffic light at that intersection so it is more bicycle friendly.

The sequence of time laspes in the traffic lights just doesn't support the amount of traffic on that particular road.

By the way, this was on Broadway and Third in downtown San Diego for all of you SD commuters.


Don't forget that most state laws say that you can enter an intersection when it is safe. The green light does not relieve him of the responsibility to make sure that the intersection is safe before entering it.

Ok, this is the SECOND time this week that I've been hit by a car, once yesterday, once today.
Car had no turn signal on, TLC guy, slowed down so I assumed he was going to pull over to the right to pick up or let off a passenger (as they habitually do) so I went on his left side to pass him. WHAM! He makes a left turn and ended up taking me with him. I unclipped and threw myself away before I could get dragged under and fortunately he stopped in time. The stem was bent 45 degrees from the wheel to the left.
He got out, speechless (plus he spoke very little english). One of the cyclists behind me stopped to check up on me and I told him I was fine.
I motioned the driver to get out of his car, asked him if he was alright and he kind of nodded, speechless. I told him to grab onto my wheel and I bent the stem back so it was relatively straight, put the chain back on and went to work.
Ironically I got clipped when I took my road bike to work yesterday and made it in with 42 solid minutes of riding. Today I took my mtb and made it in with 44 solid minutes of riding. (Computer only counts running time.) Roughly 5% faster on my roadie. I think I'll keep that one at home.

It may be time to go slower. When passing parked cars like you have to leave some crush space in case he decides to pull out. Furthermore, if you pass too close, he won't see you and you'll be in his blind spot.

It may be time to go slower. When passing parked cars like you have to leave some crush space in case he decides to pull out. Furthermore, if you pass too close, he won't see you and you'll be in his blind spot.

I guess I have to slow down and be more careful, everyone's telling me that now. Not to mention the tyler hamilton cracks.

What are the odds that you'll get hit again tomorrow? ;) j/k

What are the odds that you'll get hit again tomorrow? ;) j/k

None, fridays I take the subway cause I go out to dinner right after work hehe. Then again... as a pedestrian.. DOH!

I am glad you are all right.

Luckily no one was seriously injuried. The driver and passenger were fine.

Typically, the occupants of cars tend to fare better than the cyclists they hit, so I'm not too surprised. :p Glad you're not hurt worse though!

you should sue him. he has the money! :D

Ok, this is the SECOND time this week that I've been hit by a car, once yesterday, once today.


I'm sorry to hear that. cuz I know you're a careful rider. So let's look for some other factors. What was the weather like, what were you wearing? Don't know if this would have helped your situations but before that car can turn, he has to move that front wheel to the direction that he'll turn.

[QUOTE=Cro_Moly_Body]I got hit by a car on Monday.

QUOTE]
I agree, most drivers don't want trouble and try to watch the road. But why didn't he see you? What did the driver say?

Yes... I'm a <cough> very.. careful... <cough>.. rider...
Hehe, honestly I'm not THAT careful, I get impatient sometimes, normally I'd just wait behind a car that slows down, I'll only pass after I've had a few seconds to figure out what they're about to do.
I saw his front wheel turn but I didn't know if there were any pedestrians I would run into if I were to bank really quickly onto the side street (this was near a school zone). So I just ran into the side of him.
I usually wear a snazzy blue jersey with yellow graphics on it and my bike shorts. If the weather's bad, I wear my yellow jersey and run 26 watts of front lights with 2 rear blinkers.

I got hit by a car on Monday.

It was a case where I was making a lefthand turn on a green and a new black lexus on the opposite side of the road lane jumped the gun on his green. Since he was in a fast new car and I was on a significantly slower bicycle making a left, he slammed into me.

Luckily no one was seriously injuried. The driver and passenger were fine. I was only one with bruises. My ride side is sore and I can't seem to grab anyting tightly with my right hand which is scaring me since all I do is work in front of the computer screen.

I seriously think that this is a case where we were both doing the right thing and that a new traffic light with the left on green light should be installed.

I just hope this guy who happens to be a lawyer doesn't force me to pay anything to repair the marks on this car since it wasn't negliance in my part and to a lesser extent negliance on this part thought I truly believe he jumped the gun on his green like a drag car racer.

If this thing passes, I'm going to try to contact him to get the city to change the traffic light at that intersection so it is more bicycle friendly.

The sequence of time laspes in the traffic lights just doesn't support the amount of traffic on that particular road.

By the way, this was on Broadway and Third in downtown San Diego for all of you SD commuters.
I'm sorry, man, I think this one was your fault, though. admittedly, he should have looked, but he's got the right of way over someone turning left.

aw man, I know I'm gonna get flamed for this one... :cry:

Yes... I'm a <cough> very.. careful... <cough>.. rider...
Hehe, honestly I'm not THAT careful, I get impatient sometimes, normally I'd just wait behind a car that slows down, I'll only pass after I've had a few seconds to figure out what they're about to do.
I saw his front wheel turn but I didn't know if there were any pedestrians I would run into if I were to bank really quickly onto the side street (this was near a school zone). So I just ran into the side of him.
I usually wear a snazzy blue jersey with yellow graphics on it and my bike shorts. If the weather's bad, I wear my yellow jersey and run 26 watts of front lights with 2 rear blinkers.

Dude! yeah, I ride fast and hard too..not competing with the slower bikes.

Sounds like a speed AND clearance problem. Maybe you're passing slightly slower than normal and not clearing the car before they do something stupid? Also how many feet between you and the car as you passed? I need about 2 leg lengths (like 6') from the car as passing. If you can kick the car :D it's way too close.

Just my street-spun stuff. Anyone please correct it if it's just urban legend.

6 feet.. in NYC? I'm lucky if I get 6" lol.

My ride side is sore and I can't seem to grab anyting tightly with my right hand which is scaring me since all I do is work in front of the computer screen.


This sounds a little suspiscious to me. Are you sure you can call that work?? :roflmao: :roflmao:

Ahahahahahaha.... I think someone slipped up. Better edit your post while you can. :p

Don't forget that most state laws say that you can enter an intersection when it is safe. The green light does not relieve him of the responsibility to make sure that the intersection is safe before entering it.


"Proceed when the intersection is clear."