Sounds like you have an answer.

It's really is that each of our lives are ours to make & live.
Being open and listening to others suggestions is worthwhile, if they offer a view not yet perceived and options not yet known. but then the decisions should always be and are yours to make - in so far for which you have some control over. Being run into by a deer is one of those decisions placed on you and not in your control.
Aging does seem to place us in a position to make decisions for what is most important. It clarifies what is gloss and what is fundamental/essential.
If riding on a bike is important, then the 'how' of it needs to fit into your life in a harmonious fashion. If, at this time, riding a stationary bike is the best option, then that's it, for now.
If, in future times, riding outdoors is again an option, then 'how' best to do that becomes a consideration.
Over the past few years I have eliminated a few activities which present much higher risk of serious injury than what I feel can weather well. So they have been curtailed.
Cycling is not one of those - it's actually quite fundamental to me, my spirit and soul (among other things).
I'm hoping to always be able to have ride until my time comes... The future being fully unknown - what does happen will be seen.
What you and I and all have is 'Now'; best to live that now, and just prepare your intent for what might be...
Living 'Now' is not a free-for-all of doing anything. There's always staying true to your soul and character, and your 'intent' helps shape that.

As mentioned, developing a 'Mutual Support Group' is a great idea. A group where each is willing to each other in times of need. Even more appropriate when things become more difficult for each to do, Especially for those living alone. Retirement homes perform that, for a cost. But there's no reason to not do that also in a neighborhood or other group (like a church group). Some may need more help more often, but that's what living a 'civilized' life is all about. It starts with those who live near you...

Ride On
Yuri

As I approach my 74th birthday next week I am following this thread closely. As I age I find the real challenge is to do it gracefully. My mind still can live in a time when I could do things that my body tells me is a fantasy. When I think I would take a 7 mile run very early in the morning and then go to work and come home and deal with a young family, my body would say come back to the present. For me, and I know most here, there is something between full throttle and not getting off the couch. One big adjustment for me is not riding on the roads here in Southern New England. Drivers here are way too aggressive and distracted to coexist with on the roads. So I ride on bike paths that I find safer for me and can be visually more appealing. Riding a bike is always going to have some level of risk and with a body that is a bit more brittle falls can be brutal. The OP is dealing with this in a very admirable way and I wish you good luck in your recovery journey. Someone once said “Happiness is good health and a bad memory”. Works for me. Good luck getting better and thanks for sharing your experience with us.

Well the update today I went to the orthopedic surgeon today for 8 week follow up and xrays. The pelvis has healed and he said he could not even really see a line and all the hardware in place. I can go back to full weight bearing and riding indoors. I have been riding spinning the last 11 days but not much pressure. The problem now is I have to relearn to walk no joke. I have been using a walker so long that now walking free is really hard to keep balance. I still have the foot drop issue but it is getting better pretty sure it will heal all the way

Anyone here had to be lay up so long you had to relearn to walk. I knew it was coming but it hits home quick when I went to store and took me forever getting around pushing cart and getting in and out of store

I haven't had any crashes, but I did develop a serious health issue leaving me with brittle bones. My oncologist said my days of riding bikes were over. I asked, "Because I could crash and die?" He answered, "Worse. You could crash and NOT die."

He recommended that I check out recumbent trikes. I bought a really nice one and it's the best money I've ever spent. Get one with e-assist so you can keep up with your friends. You can still crash it but you'll really have to work at it.

I had 3+ months completely off my left leg, due to a moto mishap, July 4 2023, which caused mulitple breaks in the left foot ankle and lower leg... When released from hospital, I was told/asked to put no weight on the left leg at all, at any time... Once out of hosiptal, I started with 2 crutches, then transitioned to a walker, which I used for most of 10 weeks. After 2 wks at home I was going stir-crazy, so I decided to 'walk'/roll around the block using my walker... 1 circumfernecec of the block is 1/2 mile. I would move the walker about 2 ft forward and then hop to it, and repeat... Developed some really strong triceps...Bruned thru 3 cans of tennis balls... LOL!
After 11 weeks I transitioned to using a my mom's rolator - was easier !
Anyway, it did feel funny when I was eventually able to really 'walk' - not out of balance, just funny, strange... I used a cane for another 3 weeks and only walked on agreeable surfaces...
Ride On
Yuri

When you are able, try using only a cane, it's about halfway between in terms of stability, plus you can use it with your arm opposite the banister when climbing and descending stairs, unlike a walker. I find the T-top or "pistol grip" canes more comfortable than the curve top. (Mods, please note, that is the most common name for that style cane if searching for one. Thanks.)

Also, if your bike handlebars are the right height, you can fit a bolt-on ("clip-on") aero bar with *wide-spaced* forearms rests, that can give you support when walking the bike. (Or if narrower forearm rest spacing, the right forearm on the rest, and the left one leaning on the left flat-bar grip.) Bonus points for fitting an interrupter/mid-cable brake lever to the left front of it, for the front brake. Those levers are usually short-pull for use on road bikes on the top of the bar, but if your brakes are long-pull and if front wheel true and brakes well adjusted (close enough) it still works, plus it has better leverage, more brake power. But there are also long-pull mids, you just need to look harder for them. This bar and brake setup is very close to that of a "Parkinson's walker".

Are you not receiving physical therapy? That's pretty darn important after an injury like that.

100% pt. I shattered my spine and broke both wrists/arms. PT has made recovery possible.

And if you don’t. Your body can accommodate the injury in ways that cause a lot of problems later. It’s been 5 years ago for me and I still check in with the PT for varied things.

Nope. No chance. Not my nature and I’ve given up too many things already

You originally said ‘with all this and my fear’… Don’t get me wrong, I applaud your effort and desire, but somehow in my mind that’s the sticking point. Fear. It’s a bothersome thought. Takes up brain space. Conflicts with the inherent volatile nature of the sport and distracts from what otherwise might be instinctive life saving muscle memory moves on the bike

It’s when mistakes are made. You’re more vulnerable when you’re overthinking and reactive when you need to be proactive. It’s when folks get hurt, but I’m sure you know all that. Stay inside as long as you have to. Something tells me it’ll be hard to give up a 50 mile a day habit

I haven’t run into a deer, but I’ve had some serious crashes. And I’ve had friends talk about me after each one and eventually assume I was finished road riding. What a silly thought, I said. You must not know me at all, I mused

That foot drop issue is real and apparently rough. I’ve known of two people who had to overcome it and it can be done

I too counsel PT. It becomes a lifestyle, really, doesn’t it

As my old man would say ¨Wasn´t for Bad Luck, you Wouldn´t Have Had No Luck At All!¨

In 2007, riding home from work, Jerk in a Speeding Porsce 911 turned left in front of me. At the end of my Panic Stop I went over the bars with LOC and diagnosed with a Moderate Concussion. I will save you all the gory details.

What bent my crank the worst? The cop on scene gave our ScumBagLyingLowLifeMFer a bye. Mr. Porsche A-hole committed a non-contact-hit-and-run. A Misdemeanor in California.

My trusty 1974 Schwinn/Panasonic Le Tour was lightly damaged and repaired in short order at a friends and family rate. Thank You Endless Cycle (bike shop, now gone)

That first commute back on the bike was a bit shaky. Me seriously in pain, my new wider handlebars took time to adjust to.

Did I think about quitting? Perhaps a bit, not seriously. Commuting 28 miles/day out of financial necessity had not changed.

By the way, if you have a nasty crash Stanford University ER is a good place to land! Excellent care, no broken bones. Yeah! 4-hour stay, $10,000 tab and my wife arrived to haul me off. You should have seen the horrified look on her face. Rest In Peace Esther.