FedericoMena

On Saturday evening I was riding on my way back home from a friend's house. I decided to take a different route than usual, one that goes through downtown, as it would be better lit and I knew the road was smoother there.

There's an avenue where I was going downhill, somewhere around 30 Km/h, and there was a big square cut-out in the middle of the lane, *WITH NO SIGNALING* that there was unfinished construction. My instinct was to swerve to the *right*, to avoid suddently changing into the left lane, but then right after that square cut-out there was a large groove cut into the road's surface, diagonally. We all know how shallow-angled grooves work; I didn't have time to react and hop it, and down I went.

Some kind pedestrians helped me up. My fork mis-aligned with respect to the handlebars, and I didn't have the strength to straighten it. Then I noticed that the front tire was flat. I couldn't inflate it, so it must be punctured. Since I was on my folding bike I just half-folded it, as much as the misalignment would allow, and took a cab back home.

On the cab ride I was feeling around my sore parts and noticed that the right clavicle felt strangely non-symmetrical. Eventually, after getting back home, I drove myself to the hospital (damn, it hurts to raise your arm with a broken clavicle), and the X rays confirmed it. I have to wear a figure-8 contraption for a couple of weeks and take things easy.

Now, I have mixed feelings.

On the one hand, I'm trying to place blame on the irresponsible construction crew who left the road cut-up with no signaling. On the other hand, if I had been going slower I would probably have had time to react, or at least to look back to see if I could have swerved to the left lane instead of to where the groove was.

I know the city is responsible for guaranteeing the safety of all users of the street, but evidently they aren't doing that - am I to blame for trying to bike in a town with zero biking infrastructure? Reading that clavicle fractures are a very common biking injury, was I just on the wrong side of probabilities? Now I cannot fulfill my daily responsibilities as well as usual - making breakfast for my family, taking out the trash, etc. The "responsible" thing may have been to take the car to my friend's house instead of biking, but isn't the "responsible" thing also to try to reduce motor traffic/pollution/etc.

(This is my first broken bone ever, so at least it's a new experience...)

I'm just venting now. Stay safe, everyone.

10 Wheels

Count your Blessing that you head did not get injured.

fietsbob

been there done that, I was 12. high-sided off the edge of the pavement in a down hill corner , so, nobody else to blame.

back pack straps like brace to pull your shoulders back, while the bone knits, or surgery to screw the bones back in place was the options .

'A couple' in this case is likely is probably 6 weeks (typical bone minimum) rather than 2.

downwinded

Sorry to hear about your crash. Glad it was no worse. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

JanMM

Some would say a broken collarbone is a cycling badge of honor. (Imagine you'd prefer to do without that badge of honor.)

Not unusual to see unmarked hazards related to road repairs around Indianapolis. That shouldn't happen, but it's not uncommon.

spare_wheel

I always violate doctors orders and continue to ride with broken bones that do not prevent cycling (sometimes one handed). There is no medical evidence that sitting on your ass helps bones heal faster.

linnefaulk

Heal well.

TransitBiker

2 things.

1: Sorry that happened, please get well soon!

2: Take the city to court & get a good lawyer. All road hazards caused by construction should be properly marked or identified by signage & reflective/blinking barriers. You will win.

- Andy

I-Like-To-Bike

Is this advice based on your "scanning" of similar legal cases in Mexico?

Mvcrash

Feel better.
1. If you were not above the posted speed, there is no issue.
2. There are rules/laws on how construction crews are required to mark a roadway being worked on. I'm not sure about any other state but can tell you in NJ they are required to give notice at certain distances. I'd do some research and then call them. Pictures are a good idea.

imi

But... But... how is your BIKE?

just kidding. Heal well!

Darth Lefty 

About twenty years ago in junior high, on a MTB, riding no hands, trying to carry two Super Soakers... again about nine years ago, on a crotch rocket, trying to keep up with someone better than me, and avoid a dinner-table-sized pothole. Get well soon.

joeyduck

Heal up and all the best.

I almost ran into something like that the other day with my son and the full commuting load. Fortunately it was at the top of a hill, so I was slow. They had it filled that night. But still no warning and I thought about calling and complaining, but forgot.

TransitBiker

Uh, what?

- Andy

FedericoMena

Well...

I don't have the arm strength to really do anything on the bike right now, so I've been only looking at the half-folded bike, wondering how bad things really are.

It doesn't seem that bad. The fork turned a bit with respect to the handlebar; I think I just need to find the right manual for that part of the Brompton to see what I need to loosen up to align things again.

The front rim is dented in one spot. I'll take it to the shop so the mechanic can hammer it back into shape.

The rear fender seems to be mis-centered with respect to the wheel. I don't know yet what's causing the misalignment.

I think I'll look at the bike more closely once I actually have the strength to move it / lift it

Thanks to everyone for your kind words. Now keep posting your commute reports, so at least I can waste time properly!