Worldly Chatter

There was an accident with my bike and a car and yes, I was on the bike. Oh my goodness! My first accident with my bicycle, for that matter, it is the only accident with any bicycle! I was riding home from work; it was a long day, 8-5:45, so I was excited to get home. I was on the Koningstraat, our street is right off it. I had one more street to pass before my own and I was home. Now the street slants slightly and before I hit the street before our own, I start to coast so I can glide nicely into our street and on into home. Before I hit the street, I glanced down it and saw no cars coming so I continued my coasting and nearly made it across the street when I saw a car coming fast and about to turn! I prayed he would stop because I was more than three quarters across the street already but he did not. He attempted to turn when he hit me! He stopped and I stretched out my left leg to balance my butt and my bike.

I didn’t fall off so that was a plus. It was more of a hop I did when he hit and I tried to steady myself. I never saw him coming until he was nearly on top of me and apparently, he did not see me until he kissed my front tire. Now you see, according to the law if the car is coming from the right, he has right of way. I was going straight and he was coming from the right so he technically had right of way. I truly did not see him and he said he did not see me but in order for him to not have seen me coming, with absolutely nothing obstructing his view, he must not have even looked to his left. But I can’t split hairs on it because if I did I would still be at fault according to the law. He got a scratch or two because of the tire and I have to replace my front tire. The frame wasn’t bent so the bike itself is fine, thank goodness!

After we hit and I got off the bike he moved his car back, he was actually partially in the road when he hit me and my bike, I moved to the curb. I was only a foot and a half away from completely crossing the street when he hit me so I didn’t have to move it far. I called Dutchie because she was at home and that was about three houses and a corner turn away from where we hit. Since he was coming from the right if we exchanged info and involved the insurance companies I would be at fault and have to pay whatever was needed. Since it was only my tire and a few scratches on his bumper, he was fine so we all parted ways.

I was so shaken by all of this and the man who just hit me was so nice to me! He ran out of his car, helped me off my bike, and asked how I was doing. He hung around until Dutchie got there and knew I would make it home all right. He apologized and said he really didn’t see me and continued to ask how I was doing. He really looked worried and sorry for all of this. There was someone in their home across the street from the accident who saw it and ran out of his house to see if all was ok. Both men were very kind to me and I appreciated it greatly. He didn’t want to hit me any more than I wanted to get hit and he really was great. He could have been freaking out and bitching it was my fault and I fucked up his paint but he barely looked at his car, only when Dutchie asked him if there was any damage done. Sucks big time that I have to take the bus to work for the next few days until I can get the tire replaced on Thursday night and that I have to replace the tire in the first place but I am trying to look at it this way. It could have been my leg that got bent to hell instead of my tire so, yeah, I am glad it was just the tire.

Dutchie asked me how I was doing and if I was all right for a while after we got the bike home. I was worried about her because I called her frantically and had her come down when she has been so sick. Then I was worried about the man who hit me because I must have scared the hell out of him with all this! The only thing wrong with me is when I hopped trying to balance myself I must have put my leg down wrong or too hard because the top of me knee is sore and I pulled a muscle on my side. I will be going to work tomorrow so I can’t be all that banged up right.

My first accident on a bike… I love how Dutchies handle things and I love how kind they can be! Oh lessons learned! Lessons learned! When coming from the right, you have the right of way!!!!

Worldly chatter, Bike accidents