After an accident
Originally Posted by
sleazyrider46
I am a 69 year old cyclist in San Jose Ca. On April 30 2015 I was involved in a bicycle accident.…
Getting back to riding but ...More than one person has told me I am an old fool for urban cycling but I won't stop riding out of fear.
Dittoes to all the above good wishes, like this one.
Originally Posted by
CliffordK
I hope you get well soon. Oh, it has been a year, so hopefully you're fully recovered….
As far as safety of riding. I am now at an age where I believe the risk of inactivity is much higher than the risk of riding my bicycle.
Well said, [mention=392454]ClifordK[/mention]. Occasionally I have to defend my cycle commuting lifestyle, and I’ll add that proposition to my argument
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
…So today ..the roads were literally caked with salt, with scant, easily seen ice at the sides of no consequence to my studded tires. As I was getting off the bike, my most hostile “nemesis” as describe above, walked furiously past me muttering something about “ice.” I couldn’t quite hear her remarks, but they were not pleasant.
Now, this is otherwise a pleasant lady with whom I’ve had many cheerful conversations, and I don’t look forward to seeing her in the halls; she’s not a direct co-worker. I see no use in arguing with her, with reasons as above.…Furthermore, since I was already involved in a serious bike accident on a warm night in June, with three months off work, this lady certainly sees justification in her attitude….
Originally Posted by
sleazyrider46
.…Getting back to riding but a lot more cautious in traffic..
Originally Posted by
Steve B.
…As well, learn to ride a safe distance to the left of parked cars. Take the lane if needed but
assume that every parked car has a door about to open.
Originally Posted by
AlmostTrick
I'm sorry that you were injured, and hope you have made a full recovery, SR46. I don't blame you for not giving up riding, I wouldn't either…
I assume you're already wise enough to don the high vis gear and blinking lights. Don't be afraid to take your place in traffic when necessary, it's much safer.
I have a few aphorisms in my head for various circumstances as mentioned above.
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
"Like a weapon, assume every stopped car is loaded with an occupant ready to exit (on either side).”
” Make yourself as visible as possible, and assume nobody sees you.”
(From: The Sayings of Chairman Jim)
Finally about the aftermath of my accident:
LEGAL
Originally Posted by
sleazyrider46
…Went to a bicycle attorney and found out what happened. I was doored by a guy who suddenly opened his drivers side door without looking.
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
Thanks for your story. As distressing as it is, others can learn from it.
… as advocated on a sticky on the Advocacy & Safety Forum,
“****If You've Been Hit By A Motor Vehicle: ALL MEMBERS READ****”
Now that my serious accident is settled and well behind me (totalled the classic Bridgestone RB-1 and off work for three months) I can relate that having a lawyer was instrumental in obtaining a reasonable insurance settlement, eventually about two and a half years later.
Of course there was the lawyer’s fee (at least it went a lawyer who was a family friend), and the insurance company recouped a hefty share for reimbursement of some medical expenses. Our lawyer explained to me through some peculiarity of the Mass. Law, if I had tripped on the sidewalk, rather than hit by a liable driver, the insurance company would not have had a claim.
FAMILIAL
Originally Posted by
sleazyrider46
...My wife wants me to stop riding but I enjoy it too much.
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
… On a couple of occasions, including yesterday at 8° F, my wife (a former cyclist herself) has chided me, "You just want to ride today so you can write about it on Bike Forums.”... My wife is usually kidding when she says that.
We were formerly long distance tourists, so she’s aware of the hazards.
In particular though, she carefully attended to me when I was hit by a car from behind, and in the hospital for six weeks, off work for three months, and off the bike for five months.
Many people are surprised, some admiring, that I ride again, and my wife is OK with that. Of course, then she has total use of the single family car, since I cycle commute to work.
