I had a similar experience on my commute this winter minus the pain. My close call made me pay attention to the “def/dumb/blind swerve.” As I turned onto a busy road from the bike path after stopping at my stop sign, the 1st driver swerved violently into the middle of the road and the 2nd driver cut over to the shoulder where I was to get around. Luckilly I wasn’t moving fast and was able to hop off the side of the road. I now have a mirror and keep a much better eye on the drivers behind me.

Driver education seems like a great start, I get links to eurpoean bike safety commercials all the time but “odly” no US ones! Drivers (and police) don’t seem to know bike laws exist so why not spend some money educating, advocating and posting signs? Oh yeah, that might cause us to use less oil!

-S

oh, and I can definately relate to wanting to keep the bike if possible, I’m very attached to my ride.

I could not help notice the comment about the cop telling you your crazy for riding your bike… Thats absurd… Peoples mindsets towards cyclists need to change in America. People need to get out of their gas guzzlers and get on their bikes more often…

I’m glad I live in Boulder, for the most part drivers are pretty good about sharing the road.. I still have had some experiences where people have swurved towards me as if to give me a hint to get on a side walk… Nothing Urks me more while I’m riding!

Keep on Commuting!!

They sent an adjuster out today to meet with me. We exchanged information, and here’s the gist of it. His insurance company will pay my medical expenses. The adjuster spoke with me and viewed my injuries, and cut me a check for $4000, but also put down in writing that any future medical issues from the accident will be covered by them. I compiled a list of the accessories I lost in the crash(jersey, shorts, DiNotte light, rack trunk, panniers) and she said they will happily pay for those, plus whatever estimate my LBS gives me. At a minimum, the frame will need to be repainted, so that gets sent back to Gunnar. The LBS will need to replace my Noodle Bar, my fenders, my rack, both brake levers, and my bar tape. If Gunnar says I need a new frame then that’s how we will go. The adjuster actually offered to buy my bike outright, but I have an attachment to it and would much rather just get it repainted if it’s OK. That may not have been the most logical decision, but I like the bike.

Mike

It’s unbelievable that the cop told you that you were being crazy. I ride on roads like that frequently, and usually have no problems.

I hope you heal quickly — good luck!

The bike goes to the shop tomorrow. It actually looks pretty good. It is a shame that I lost so many accessories, but the driver’s insurance company told me replacing whatever I say I lost is no problem.

I’m lucky to be alive.

BTW, I work in a Trauma Center as a Respiratory Therapist. Our ED gets a lot of car accidents, motorcycle accidents and bicycle accidents. Some of those people that fair the best are those that use seat belts and helments. And those who do not use helmets when riding thier motorbikes or bicycles don’t do to well at all. I can think of two cases in particular involving two wheeled forms of transportation where the patients survived, but let’s just say they won’t be doing any long division in the future.

Glad your ok.

Like you, the helmet’s the only reason I escaped as well off as I did. Heal up and get back out there! They never caught the guy who ran me off the road. I had to foot the bill for all of my co-pays. Fortunately I had dental and medical coverage to help offset the brunt of the expenses, and my bike fared pretty well through the whole thing.

Recover well Mike.