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Old 01-24-15 | 12:59 PM
  #29  
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halcyon100
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 155
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From: SF Bay Area
Sorry to hear about your experience & I am glad you are okay.

I was once hit by a police car turning right at a stoplight - the light turned green and I believe they had no idea that they hit me & I fell over... Luckily, I was okay and my bike was okay. I didn't make any reports or complaints, but I would have if there was any kind of damage to myself or my bike.

Over the years, I have tried to "channel" the energy of frustrating incidents into advocacy efforts to make our community safer for cyclists. On my commute, I pass through a very busy intersection on my way home where I get into the middle lane to go straight. Cars turning right get really backed up, so some cars will make a right turn from the center lane, which is illegal and dangerous. Rather than trying to report cars that do this, I contacted the local police and noted that this is a regular problem I observe and asked them to increase patrol/monitoring of that area. They said they would do this.

I am especially careful around elderly drivers. I have been in the car with some elderly family members driving, and it is anxiety-producing just being a passenger... One elderly family friend is senile and refuses to get the help he needs... His daughter tried calling Adult Protective Services after he hit a cyclist and they did nothing. I think the police gave him a ticket. He is seriously senile and definitely should not be driving. I think he should have had his license suspended or something - for his safety and for the safety of others.
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