Sojodave

I got T-boned at an intersection by a 17 year old kid. I broke my right ankle on both sides, my tibia/fibia/left shoulder. I still have more hardware in me than Home Depot. I'm worried about getting in another accident and what would happen with all the plates, rods and screws. I ride with a flashing front light and tail light and I'm super paranoid at stop signs and intersections. I also pick routes that are safer. I keep my fingers crossed that cars see me and I assume they don't at intersections.

MSchott

This sounds right to me but my reaction would have to speed up not brake if it's this scenario and I'm past the turning car.

Nachoman

This common idiotic behavior poses such serious danger to cyclists as well as other drivers.

Lemond1985

The solution I've been seeing lately is for people to just completely black out their side windows. Despite the fact it's illegal. I guess in their minds, the window tinting might be illegal, but if that saves them from getting caught doing something else illegal (f@rting around with their phones) then it's worth the risk.

seedsbelize 

Sounds like a classic right hook.

Maelochs

In a classic “right hook” the car and bike are heading in the same direction driver, and the driver crosses the path of the cyclist.

The OP’s description of the accident doesn’t fit that scenario.

Jim from Boston

I was bumped by a car for the first time tonight

Dittoes to the above sentiments.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemond1985

You have to be part matador sometimes, in order to survive at this sport (i.e., riding in city traffic).

Evocative of that metaphor, I have posted about city riding:

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.Jester

...I’ve always felt safer riding in heavy traffic in town than out on the back roads. At least if I get hit in town, there are witnesses and someone to call 911

Quote:

Originally Posted by noglider

The weird thing is that traffic in NYC is aggressive, but I find it easier to survive than other places.

I'm not sure I'm ready to say NYC drivers are better than in other places, because it may simply be that I understand the dance and know how to do it .

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

As a social ballroom dancer with years of lessons, as well as urban commuter, may I say, "Well said."

There was thread once about rural vs urban cycling, and a concensus was that urban cycling was safer, because of the congestion and slower speeds. Even with heavy traffic, I know the patterns of traffic, the "dance steps," and can anticipate the car's movements.

Earlier on this thread, I wrote: An important aphorism I learned on BF is, "To know where a car is going, watch the front wheels, not the body or hood," though we don't watch our feet when we dance.

Maelochs

One might almost think certain Bostonian bikers were accomplished ballroom dancers.

Lemond1985

I don't know where you got that idea.

Jim from Boston

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maelochs

One might almost think certain Bostonian bikers were accomplished ballroom dancers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemond1985

I don't know where you got that idea.

@Maelochs knows whereof he writes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsl

…Bicycling in traffic is a dance you must lead: Web site with links to all the videos in the series

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

…The title, ” Bicycling in traffic is a dance you must lead” appealed to me as an (experienced) ballroom dancer. But even on the relatively safe dance floor, my wife will warn me, as leader, “Watch behind you.” as if I had eyes in the back of my head.

One night I did bring my eyeglass mounted Take-a-Look cycling mirror to wear on the dance floor, to tweak her of that habit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maelochs

So ... Saint Jim from D'uh says, "If you want to live Car-Lite, learn to dance."

That's my take-away.