NeezyDeezy

I have been biking to work from brooklyn to chelsea and back for a while now, and I've had a lot of close calls, but today it finally happened. I was in Chinatown on my way back home, obeying all traffic laws, NOT WEAVING through cars, and BOOM, the driver of a van opened his door right in front of me. I was going quickly, and I didn't have to time to even apply the breaks.

Full on collision.

It knocked me out and I found myself on the pavement with a bunch of people around. I got up and checked myself out. My ribs felt funny, and I couldn't breathe that well. I moved my bike out of the street.

The person who had been in the driver's seat had disappeared, and a woman had taken his place. I thought this was very shady. I motioned for her to get out, and she proceeds to cuss me out. I was shocked, but surprisingly calm and civil. While I am gathering my surroundings, she's yelling over and over, "you're fault! you're fault!"

To make a long story short, I calmly demanded that we call the police and file a report because I wasn't sure if I would end up having any injuries. At this point she got very nervous. She told me that I ****ed up her car and had to pay. When I told her that she was not even in a position to see what had happened because she wasn't on the driver's side, and she told me that she had been driving and saw exactly what had happened. She claimed that I was weaving through cars and slammed into her car to avoid traffic. There actually had not been another car anywhere near us (THANK GOD). The police came, and several witnesses corroborated my story. It turned out the driver didn't have a license.

I have 3 bruised ribs and a terribly scraped up bruised wrist.

At this point, I am not sure what is going to happen next, but I do know that I won't be commuting by bicycle any more. I do not mean this as advice, it's only a personal decision.

I got lucky.

I absolutely hate it, but I just can't take any more risks like this. For a while now, in the back of my mind I knew I had been throwing the dice everytime I biked, but I have to own up to it: this city just doesn't have the infrastructure or willpower to support this way of life I'd like. It's not my fault, but I have to look out for my best interests. Until it's safer, I'll take the subway.

The only advice I give to other people is that if you are EVER in ANY kind of accident, always contact the police, no exceptions. Because of the adrenaline, I didn't even realize I had hurt my wrist until several minutes later. Calling the police will be your one and only recourse. Also, make sure one or two witnesses stick around in case you encounter one of these people who will tell any lie to protect their own interests.

Sorry to make a thread that is such a bummer, but I thought you might prefer that I shared it. Goodnight, and be safe.

CastIron

Bummer. DO call an attorney. Today.
Rules for accidents:
Always call the cops and get a report. (keeps others kinda honest)
If you're hurt and it isn't your fault, leave in an ambulance. (steps up the investigation)
You're always hurt if you go down. Stay down if you can. (gets you a faster response)

jayhuse

I kind of know your feeling. I live in nebraska and for the most part my work commute is all bike path of 18 miles. A few spot are a bit sketchy. At first I was really scared, now I just watch myself on what I call the dreaded 1.5 mile march. The 1.5 miles is the point where the path ends and I have to get on the side of the road. I have a few rules i always follow and I mean always follow.

If did not have the bike path I probably would not bike. I can put up with 1.5 miles or about a total of 3 miles of cars but if it were super busy like what you describe I would just call it quits.

The sad thing is that if you crashed in Nebraska, I could just about guarantee you the person at fault would of said what really happend. Most folks are really kind and have insurance.

The problem where you live is there is just too many people, too much poverty and crime. Thus you have to watch yourself at every corner.

Sorry to hear that. If you can move out of that area, I hear Colorado and Minesota have the best biking around.

jay

nelson249

Man, really sorry about your accident, that really sucks. I am glad, however, that you called the police and got it sorted out. At least there will a record of the driver opening his door improperly in case you have to fight to get compensated for your injuries.

Juilin

In most counties, it is illegal to open the door of a motor vehicle without first making certain it is clear of motor vehicle traffic (including bicycles). Not saying you should do this, but my friend was awarded $12,000 dollars in compensation after being rear-ended on the freeway--different situation but both involving willful disregard for safety and illegal acts. On a personal note, I took off someones door in an ambulance, which is what I do for work, and we got a brand new rig outta the deal. At any rate, best wishes, and good luck to you.

Gabbo

That's terrible. I hope you heal up and get to enjoy your bike in other ways besides commuting. (Don't let the cagers get you down.) I don't run the risk of getting doored on my commute, but I do run that risk on my weekend rides, so I'll definitely keep your experience in mind. At least that's a tiny bit of good to come out of lousy experience.

Canonet

I'm so sorry to hear about your accident. Hope you recover quickly.

froze

Wow you had the potential for a very serious accident; I'm glad you came out of of reasonably well.

As far as never commuting again, I wouldn't let one accident shake you up that far. Accidents will happen and do happen and you can't quit something you love to do because of an accident. Just imagine if everyone stopped doing whatever they were doing when they were involved in an accident...there would be a lot of job openings, a lot less cars on the road-maybe that would be a good thing! the list could go on and on. So don't give up.

Next time you ride along side a line of parked cars do this: as you approach the line start looking through the back windows of each car to see if you notice anyone in the car, then as you come closer to each car look into the side mirror to see if you see someone you missed in the driver seat. So your constantly looking into the back window then the mirror then the window then the mirror etc. Most of the time you should be able to see through several cars back windows at once. Once you figure out this method your chances for a catching a door will be severly reduced. If you see someone in the driver's seat then and only then begin to gradually move over into the traffic lane making sure of course that you don't get hit by a moving car!

But always watch, but NEVER weave from being close to a car then being far to try to avoid the flying door syndrome. By weaving around parked cars you become a target for the cars that are traveling down the road with you, and they don't know what your doing. Maintain a straight line at all times unless avoiding a potential door threat due to seeing someone in the driver's seat; and maintain hand positioning on the brakes.

Glad to hear you OK!!! and keep on riding.

spidercyclist

Sorry to hear about you getting doored. With the way they try to treat you, you should get an attorney or at least threaten to get one. See if they'll settle. But you shouldn't give up something you like doing just because of one bad experience. When you get that sixth sense about something that's going to happen, you need to pull over and check out the situation. I hope you're feeling better. Have a good night.

Cyclaholic

Neezy, I'm glad you're going to be OK, I hope you hang in there and at least continue enjoying riding recreationally, lots of nice bike paths around I'm sure. I hope you get a decent compensation payout. Do you know if the woman tried to lie to the cops, and if so are they taking any legal action against her for it?


Wow, you get paid to take peoples' doors off with an ambulance?

Allen

I sorry you were hurt. Take care and heal quickly.
And there is always the park, don't give up on riding yet.

--A

slvoid

Not to poke a jab at you, I mean, I ride like a crazy mofo sometimes and take insane risks but... since it was evening, did you have lights on? And you said there haven't been any cars near you (so you weren't weaving in and out to avoid traffic), then why did you ride so close as to get doored? I'm running a HID light up front blazing away and I also try to ride as far from parked cars as possible, aside from going the wrong way into 3 lanes of traffic, etc.

With that aside, isn't lying to the police officer a crime? I hope she got nailed for that one too.
This one seemed like a fluke, don't give up.

sukram

NeezyDeezy, good to hear you could still walk away. I believe the law is pretty much on your side, the person opening the door is liable in NYC. Not that it's much consolation.

Not to sound like a nutcase advocate or anything, but it might be good to send your story to Trans Alt, Mayor Bloomie, and especially your local reps. NYC has so many cyclists and yet it does so little to make it safer for commuters.

I've complained a few times to my local rep, at least he responds though. I don't know what good it has done (none that I can see), but that's what they're there for.

chephy

Repeat slowly after me: DO NOT RIDE IN THE DOOR ZONE.

I am not prepared to take risks like that either. That's why I don't ride near parked cars or slow down to almost pedestrian-speed crawl, watch cars like a hawk and keep ringing my bell loudly when I do it. You go flying right past parked cars, get doored and blame the city for not making it safe for cyclists?? I know the city probably does a piss-poor job of it, and a lot of drivers are POS's too, but riding fast past parked cars is setting yourself up for a bad accident, period. It is a bit unfair when people set themselves up for accidents like that and then say that cycling is oh so dangerous and oh I got hit when I was doing everything right. No, you were not.

Sorry you got hurt, and that you got treated so badly by the a$$holes who doored you (it IS all their fault and they should at the very least cover your medical and bike repair cost). I probably sound too harsh, but I am really hoping to help you realize that cycling CAN be safe if you learn a few things. Here is a pretty good place to start: https://bicyclesafe.com . It shows the most common types of bike-car collisions and how to avoid them. If you are really interested, you may read one of several books on cycling out there or take a LAB course in biking. I am not trying to convince you to commute by bike - it's all your choice - but I think before making an infomed decision you need, well, the information.

Get well!

newbojeff

Glad you weren't injuried worse. Glad you called the police and I would add my vote to following through on reporting the driver in some way and informting the city.

Totally reasonable for you to take the subway for a while. If you've been committed to bike commuting for a while and have enjoyed it, I would bet you are going to get sick of the subway in short order.

On a less serious note -- and I can't believe no one has asked yet: how's the bike?

Flimflam

Wow, great to hear you could walk way, etc. - I hope the dude without a licence gets his dues, and thank goodness for stupid criminals. I can't believe the lady had the gall to start cussing at you, etc. - I guess being abrasive was her way of trying to get you to leave the situation and avoid the police.

As for quitting, that's your decision - I have a young family to provide for, it's crossed my mind sometimes regarding the dangers of riding - but I have to look at it realistically. I figure if I do my best to ride properly and sensibly and use the appropriate safety equipment (admittedly maybe not enough) like my helmet, my "I'm here, see me please!" lights - I do need to go get myself some better lights and a reflective overjacket thing (workers vest?)

Excellent tips, I do this when I ride all the time - just another part of road awareness IMO. Nice to read someone else thinking along my lines - makes me feel less paranoid / crazy

Good luck with the recovery, I'm still on the mend following a bluntforce impact on my left wrist (it hit the handlebars when I got my front wheel stuck in a rail crossing by making an idiot mistake) and it sure sucks being off my bike for now.

I hope you enjoy any future riding you have, ride safe!

joejack951

It is much easier and safer to just not ride next to parked cars than to try and peer through the windows and each and everyone looking for heads. How can you pay any attention to the rest of traffic if you are devoting that much attention to parked cars?

If you want to write a letter that might have some effect on making the city of New York safer, tell them to remove all of the bike lanes that are striped next to parked cars. I'm pretty sure New York has a mandatory bike lane use law and from the pictures I've seen of their "bike lanes," they are an accident waiting to happen, or happening in this case. Were you in a bike lane or do you regularly use bike lanes striped in the door zone?

Mariner Fan

I always look through windows to see if the driver is aware of my presence. The cars that scare me the most are the ones that have darkly tinted windows. I can't see the drivers and don't know if they see me.

Sorry about your accident. I also understand your decision to quit commuting. It's too bad we have to risk our lives just to ride a bike in the city.

Lucky07

Sorry to hear, but glad you're ok. Yeah, +5 about calling the cops. Not that they'll do anything, but your insurance might give you a hard time after the fact if you don't.

I try to stay out of the door zone, but sometimes that's tough in heavy traffic or a crowded street. Also some vans/trucks have much bigger doors. Hard to judge sometimes... Definitely ride with lights day and night & get a bell.

rknj

If you were knocked out you really should have gone to a hospital. Sorry to hear about the accident, wring those bastards for all you can, hopefully they'll have to sell their car.

timmhaan

i agree. blacking out is nothing to brush off.

oboeguy

Sorry to hear about your dooring! I've been doored, though, not by riding in the door zone (long story documented here last summer). I got a sprained elbow out of it but was commuting again by bike as soon as I could (a few weeks). Don't let this get you down!

FormerBMX'er

I agree with the reduced speed part because it's not always possible to avoid door zones. As I always say, "it really all depends on where you live". Some Boston roads are just too narrow to avoid door zones. We have very aggressive non-skilled drivers and lost College Students behind the wheel every day. Taking more than your share (or even your share) of the road is an invite to be buzzed or worse.

Choices are:
(1) Ride in the Door Zone (at greatly reduced speed)
(2) Ride on the Sidewalk (virtually no safer than door zones)
(3) Walk your bike through the zone
(4) Take Public Transit or Drive

I've spit lanes only to have someone open a passenger door, very dangerous stuff. I'm sure I ride in the zone at times (<5ft), but I try to be at the outer edge of this zone to give myself some reaction time.

Get Well Soon!

JohnBrooking

Glad to hear you're okay.

cooperwx

...and they happen in cars as much or more than on bikes. I guess taking the subway would keep you from getting into an accident on the street.

Hey, getting doored would no doubt change my outlook on commuting by bike, but for now I see driving a car to be just as risky.

I hope you can hop back on the bike.