Hesitant to ride
 

I was riding last week and a car did not signal, turned left. Neither of us had a stop sign and he hit me. I was fine and so was my bike I did more damage to his bumper than anything. But everythime I think about going for a ride since then I skip it. Think ill go for a run today.... Sucks that the hobby I love can be so dangerous. Just happy I'm not hurt.

Bummer. One does have to be alert. Odd that there was no stop sign at the intersection. Generally, absent stop signs or in presence of multi stop, the vehicle arriving first has the right of way. Arriving at the same time, the vehicle to the right has ROW. People don't remember this from driver's ed and it can lead to well intentioned but awkward standoffs.

At any rate, a vehicle turning left across the intersection must yield to oncoming traffic. I suspect a driver who wasn't paying attention.

OP -- glad you're okay. Not wanting to get out of the house is understandable. I imagine once you're riding that you will be fine.

Glad you are fine.

I use a front blinker light and I yell "Bike" when in these type of encounters. Really is amazing how impaired people are or they just do not give a damn about cyclists. Last ride I had three near misses by 1. getting squeezed by a Suburban on a road with no shoulder missed hitting me by a few inches; then, 2. being J-hooked by a minivan that sped up and cut me off on a right turn, and 3. I had to swerve out of the way of an SUV that passed another vehicle going in the opposing traffic lane.

Then, if they do hit you, they will either run leaving you dying on asphalt or lie to the police.
I am going for a hike today instead of riding too!

Your concern is quite understandable. A couple years ago I was hit from behind on a road with a marked bike lane. It was a clear, sunny Sunday morning on a road with 35 mph speed limit and 4 travel lanes. It was the only car visible for a long way off. I could see in my mirror that the vehicle was staying in the right lane. It wasn't until I heard a big bang that I realized his fender had caught my handlebar. There was absolutely no reason why the driver could not see me and give more room. I had a flashing rear light and a safety flag. I wasn't hurt and the trike had minimal damage - broke mirror and a damaged bar end light. It spooked the hell out of me so while I didn't quit riding I did a lot less of it. I am now back to riding nearly every day during the cycling season (about 8 months long here) but it took a couple of years. You can't anticipate every possibility of getting in an accident but I am very cautious about turning vehicles and expect the possibility of having to do evasive maneuvers.

Glad to hear you’re okay. That’s the main thing.

I had a pick up back out of a short driveway right in front of me this morning. Thankfully I was already slowing down to turn and I could tell the driver didn’t see me. Once he did, he stopped and apologized. He was visibly a little shaken up by it. I said it was okay and that I saw him and told him to have a good morning.

Sometimes they aren’t paying attention and sometimes the rider appears just after they look to see if the coast is clear.

Need more details but not sure why you would ever be next to a vehicle while going through what you described as an uncontrolled intersection.

I got hit by a left hook car 5 years ago. Short story...cuts and bruises for me and a destroyed bike. I wanted to get back to riding a.s.a.p., since I knew the longer I waited the more it would get into my head. Unfortunately, I was on vacation when it happened and had no other bike to ride. First thing when I got home was go out riding. I'll be honest, it seemed like every car was out to get me on this first ride. The more I rode the better it got, though. I'm glad now that I kept at it. I did learn a few things too. Added daytime lights and more high viz clothing.

Sorry it had to happen. But you cant let one random accident control your life. If that was the case everyone would be hiding in their basement.

What? If a car is going the opposite direction through the intersection and there's no stop signs on the road you both are on, would you normally stop? I'm reading between the lines here, but this sounds like both vehicles were passing on the non-stop road at a two-way stop intersection. Unless they're signalling, I don't think you're expected to assume they're coming out of their lane to cross yours. By your logic, I should stop every time there's a car coming the opposite direction and there's a driveway on my side of the road just in case the car is going to pull into the driveway without signalling.

Glad to hear you're okay. I don't understand why the car wouldn't signal, but more importantly, just stop if he is going to cross the oncoming lane. That is the driving rule in every state, no? You have the clear right of way. I mean, did the driver just not see you?

even if you are in the right, you can always stop and make sure

That's the thing, you can't always make sure. If fact it's darn near impossible some times. There are plenty of two lane roads in just about every city with regular constant traffic that have driveways or other road intersections. If you stopped every single time a car was approaching from the other direction, you'd be better off walking.

ok keep going then

You are trying to read between the lines and I love that you are comparing a likely uncontrolled intersection to a driveway lol

I'm glad you weren't hurt physically. I'm also glad your bike is OK. If your riding style was good, I hope you get back on your bike. If it isn't good ... I hope you correct yourself and get back on your back.

I've been riding and crashing bikes and motorcycles a long time. I don't ride bikes on the road much anymore after the last time I got hit. I should/want to start again. I like mountain biking, but miss wandering the backroads from my house and touring. In the last 3 years I totalled 2 motorcycles in deer strikes on the way to work in the morning. I reduced my motorcycle riding initially each time and am still getting back from the last one in june. I don't want to stop riding, but maybe 25,000 miles a year is a little too much. Take a little time and make sure your mind is right before riding. There is only so much you can control. Don't let fear control you.

Car is in opposite direction lane and you're saying that I shouldn't be in the intersection because the car heading in the opposite direction may illegally turn left into me without signaling. I notice you don't explain how this is different from the driveway situation.

And you read between the lines to make it an uncontrolled intersection. I suspect a two-way stop sign situation is far more likely, and that isn't uncontrolled.

Just admit to yourself you posted something really stupid and move on. You'll feel better.

Too perfect lol.
You suspect a two-way stop sign situation?
Even though the OP clearly stated “Neither of us had a stop sign and he hit me”
Just admit to yourself that you again posted something really stupid and move on.
:roflmao2:

I'm glad you're not hurt, but I suspect you're in a "get back on the horse" situation. If you want to get back to riding, you'll have to get back on the bike. I'd add an unignorable blinky light in front., even if it's just to make yourself feel better.

Never give up Chris. Get back in the saddle!

I was coming up on a light controlled intersectiion with a green light going my way. A car approached the intersectiion with a red from my right. The guy was slowing down as if to stop so I proceeded through. He was only slowing down to roll a right turn, not to stop. At the last second, I stepped off my bike, a LWB recumbent, and let the bike go. He hit the rear wheel but didn't hit me. It only cost me $15.00 to have the rear wheel trued. I considered this a real wake up call concerning inattentive drivers.It was time to ride somewhere else.

I've been riding MUP's ever since. I sure don't miss having cars in my rides anymore. bk

It was a north south main drag with an east west side street. I was heading south and they driver north, he went turn left and our situation happened. He was actually really good about it. He jumped out ran over to me and was just in total shock. I'm already itching to get out I'm sure ill hit the road in a day or two. Thanks for the words of enthusiasm.

No more riding on streets for me, we bought a van and drop in a different trail heads to ride. There is still some danger, but no cars, and the surfaces are usually better. Someday it may be safe to ride the streets.