General Discussion

Prism

(5,815 posts)

50. Sigh. Yeah, I hear you. I was nearly killed yesterday.

Tue Jul 24, 2012, 12:07 PM

Jul 2012

I commute on my bike here in the Berkeley area - so-called environmentally friendly, bike-promoting Berkeley, where every commute is like a new sequel to Road Warrior. I love getting run off the road right next to a "Share the Path" sign, just because I like my near-death experiences to be marinating in irony.

I was in a left turn lane. Signaled, helmeted, obeying the laws. I go to make the turn, and a guy in the opposite left turn lane decided he did not care to wait for the other cars and veered out and gunned it. He missed me by about three inches while going maybe thirty or forty miles an hour head-on. I was so rattled and shaking, I walked the last mile.

I'm honestly close to up and buying a car. It's just too dangerous around here. Every week, if I am not nearly killed once or twice, I don't feel like I'm really commuting.

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One pedestrian death caused by a bicyclist's negligence and DU explodes with anti bicycle venom.. [View all] Fumesucker Jul 2012 OP

Um, maybe a link? DiverDave Jul 2012 #1

I guess if you didn't see it it didn't happen.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #4

Now, see, using that sort of reply would DiverDave Jul 2012 #7

I'm just ticked off in general this morning, nothing personal at all.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #8

I had a crazy woman do a California stop and pull out right in front of me awhile back. alphafemale Jul 2012 #83

I'd laugh, but that's one dangerously stupid driver. Gormy Cuss Jul 2012 #85

That was 9 months ago proud2BlibKansan Jul 2012 #10

It was 9 months ago because it's a rare event.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #13

had to ell ohh ell at the critical masshole who stated "we obey traffic laws" frylock Jul 2012 #54

This is the first time I'm seeing a thread on bicycles. Skidmore Jul 2012 #2

Wait justanidea Jul 2012 #3

Actually it's cars that are doing the killing of bicyclists for the most part.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #6

Bicycles aren't killing people nobodyspecial Jul 2012 #93

Are you serious? You think bicyclists are killing 600 others? Starboard Tack Aug 2012 #158

Everything I know about bicycles I learnt on evening television, ya know, the 2on2u Jul 2012 #5

I'm both a cyclist and an avid walker. In both, drivers of cars are incredibly unaware, distracted, hlthe2b Jul 2012 #9

Evidently you've had many close calls with cars and drivers.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #12

Bicycles kill people. ileus Jul 2012 #11

I have seen bicyclists cause the death of a motorcyclist and a pedestrian ProgressiveProfessor Jul 2012 #70

Given the penchant of American drivers to MineralMan Jul 2012 #14

I believe you just had an incident where transportation was critical to you.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #19

I have no brief against bicycles or bicyclists. MineralMan Jul 2012 #25

I have flashing lights on my bike that would do an ambulance proud.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #34

You might want to get rid of the flashing lights. GoneOffShore Jul 2012 #63

Too much light pollution, a steady light is ignored/disappears amongst all the other visual noise.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #65

Those are very good safety measures. MineralMan Jul 2012 #64

There's an old saying about flying.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #66

Ever hear of a scooter? snooper2 Jul 2012 #87

Yeah, and if they're the cheap Chinese ones I can buy dozens of broken ones for a song.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #92

I live in a 'deep south exurbia' unapatriciated Jul 2012 #157

I own bicycles and guns slackmaster Jul 2012 #15

I'm just commenting on the similarity of the reactions. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #16

Many posters on DU seem to really resent cyclists for no good reason obamanut2012 Jul 2012 #20

DU is pretty mild in that regard.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #22

I'm not sure about the helmets... Chan790 Jul 2012 #86

People wear helmets when they do things that are considered hazardous.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #95

I'd support car helmet. Chan790 Jul 2012 #117

I find myself agreeing with you Irishonly Jul 2012 #82

A lone nut, criminal, or careless person does something bad, and some react by calling for... slackmaster Jul 2012 #26

On the one hand we have a quite uncommon negligent accident.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #37

The FBI disagrees slackmaster Jul 2012 #40

Mass murders are become less common rather than more? Fumesucker Jul 2012 #44

Sorry, it wasn't clear to me that you were referring to mass murders slackmaster Jul 2012 #47

Me too obamanut2012 Jul 2012 #17

I saw mostly the same half dozen gun lovers on all the threads lunatica Jul 2012 #18

Eh, DU is divided on bicycles just like it's divided on many things.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #21

I was referencing what happened this weekend and the gun lovers lunatica Jul 2012 #23

Both groups are right. Lizzie Poppet Jul 2012 #24

The only "anti bicycle venom" I have is reserved for Critical Mass... Amerigo Vespucci Jul 2012 #27

Every day I see bikes go thru red lights and stop signs without stopping. I walk quite WI_DEM Jul 2012 #28

Every day I see cars speeding... Fumesucker Jul 2012 #30

Everyone needs to observe the laws. MineralMan Jul 2012 #33

yeah, if you obey all traffic laws and regulations hfojvt Jul 2012 #76

me too hfojvt Jul 2012 #75

And, yet, you expect the cars to all stop MineralMan Jul 2012 #80

Tiggers are bouncy, flouncy, trouncy, downcy, fun, fun, fun, fun, fun hfojvt Jul 2012 #148

Wait, what? the thread is from nov of '11. Javaman Jul 2012 #29

No, just making a point about the severity of the crime and the reaction here on DU.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #31

at least you didn't suffer paralysis... Javaman Jul 2012 #38

No, the incident took place this morning.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #41

the rage dam just burst it seems loli phabay Jul 2012 #62

You can pry my bicycle from my cold dead hands. HopeHoops Jul 2012 #32

LOL. Yep, me too. cliffordu Jul 2012 #35

We also have two tandem bicycles. Great way to travel. HopeHoops Jul 2012 #42

Getting ready for a ride from Port Townsend, Wa to Salem Oregon cliffordu Jul 2012 #52

Then follow the fucking road rules! Logical Jul 2012 #89

WTF makes you think we don't?? cliffordu Jul 2012 #91

Roads? We don' need no stinkin' roads, mon. HopeHoops Jul 2012 #150

I get hassled by cars when I ride NO MATTER WHAT I'M DOING. The Stop Sign thing is an excuse. Romulox Jul 2012 #36

I've been riding a recumbent Bike E for about five years now.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #45

I've admired your bike before. It's cool that you get more respect now, but why? Romulox Jul 2012 #48

Being different I guess, it kind of startles people just a little.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #49

Truly awesome plan fumesucker! I'd love to pics when it's done, or even W.I.P. pics. nt Romulox Jul 2012 #72

Daisy, Daisy.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #74

You sir, are a mad genious (and I say that with huge admiration!) Romulox Jul 2012 #79

Nice Shop!! CokeMachine Jul 2012 #84

word.. frylock Jul 2012 #61

Here's a story: a toothless hillbilly in a pickup buzzes me...in the *bike lane*, and yells Romulox Jul 2012 #73

i had dropped my car off for service a couple weeks ago.. frylock Jul 2012 #77

Sorry to hear about the incident. Definitely a W.T.F. moment. Romulox Jul 2012 #78

i'm real partial to Giant myself.. frylock Jul 2012 #81

Thanks for the advice. LBS is Giant. No transition dealers in Mich., tho. nt Romulox Jul 2012 #153

are you near Tree Fort? frylock Jul 2012 #154

Oh yeah. Bought my last bike from them! Very nice place to visit in person, too. nt Romulox Jul 2012 #155

fyi... saw a post on Vital stating the new Giant Trance X 29er to be released in August.. frylock Jul 2012 #156

When a bicycle is used to injure 70 people in a matter of minutes Warren Stupidity Jul 2012 #39

Why then does Holland not have mandatory helmets? Fumesucker Jul 2012 #43

I have no idea. Bicycle helmets are a really good idea. So are trigger locks. Warren Stupidity Jul 2012 #46

Most of Holland is flat, with a good infrastructure for cycling. HuckleB Jul 2012 #94

Ah, people don't have bike crashes where it's flat.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #97

Is that your final response? HuckleB Jul 2012 #98

It was your argument that Holland is flat and hence less dangerous for bikes.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #99

Oh goodness. HuckleB Jul 2012 #101

We were discussing your claim that Holland is safe for bicycles because it's flat.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #107

I noted that it was safer. HuckleB Jul 2012 #110

We were discussing the terrain specifically and your claim it made it made bicycling safer.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #112

It seems that you are just posting for the sake of posting. HuckleB Jul 2012 #123

I want to know what the contour of the land has to do with it? Fumesucker Jul 2012 #137

For one, the contour of the land tends to make infrastructure easier. HuckleB Jul 2012 #138

You mean because America is built for cars therefore bicyclists should be mandated to wear helmets. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #139

Nice spin. HuckleB Jul 2012 #140

Why do you want to keep people off bicycles? Fumesucker Jul 2012 #141

PS: HuckleB Jul 2012 #122

Sigh. Yeah, I hear you. I was nearly killed yesterday. Prism Jul 2012 #50

du rec. nt xchrom Jul 2012 #51

DU has become a mean place. Peregrine Took Jul 2012 #53

Not to mention I've seen a lot of false equivalency arguments on here lately. Initech Jul 2012 #59

Teen on Bicycle Causes Thousands In Damage. NewMoonTherian Jul 2012 #55

Oh lord, flashbacks. (nt) Posteritatis Jul 2012 #57

To be fair, the mention of bicycles causes a 20-point IQ drop just about everywhere. Posteritatis Jul 2012 #56

I didn't see a bicycle being used to harm 58 people and kill 12 in a movie theater. Alduin Jul 2012 #58

Horrors! Mandatory bike helmets! Who wants to reduce serious head injuries pnwmom Jul 2012 #60

And yet in Holland where the bicycle is more common than the car... Fumesucker Jul 2012 #90

Who said I thought bicycling was "horribly dangerous"? pnwmom Jul 2012 #100

It's an odd logical fallacy that the OP appears to be trying out. HuckleB Jul 2012 #102

One does not wear safety gear when not engaged in dangerous activities.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #106

Oh brother. HuckleB Jul 2012 #109

Do you wear safety gear when on your couch watching TV? Fumesucker Jul 2012 #111

Your post has nothing to do with whether or not it's smart to wear a cycling helmet. HuckleB Jul 2012 #124

My point is about perceptions of danger.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #127

You have an anecdotal theory, but nothing but your own definitions and anecdotes to support it. HuckleB Jul 2012 #130

I've presented more evidence in this thread than you have.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #132

Bzzzzzt. Wrong. HuckleB Jul 2012 #134

One of my kids' teachers fell off a bike and suffered a serious head injury pnwmom Jul 2012 #114

Smart people exercising reasonable caution can still get seriously hurt on in a car.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #116

Maybe bicyclists wouldn't need helmets if they had front and side airbags? pnwmom Jul 2012 #118

Which airbags only work at the moment of first impact.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #119

So do you personally wear helmets in cars? pnwmom Jul 2012 #120

We were talking mandatory safety gear, at the moment helmets are not mandatory in cars.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #121

"Old habits die hard" probably applies here. n/t pnwmom Jul 2012 #126

I bet I've worn protective headgear at least an order of magnitude more hours than you.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #128

I bet you have, too. Maybe we can agree on this: pnwmom Jul 2012 #129

The psychology of safety devices is interesting.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #136

The Dutch have many factors most American places do not share, first being universal awareness Bluenorthwest Jul 2012 #151

Helmets are not mandatory for adults where I live either.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #152

Exactly. HuckleB Jul 2012 #125

Hmm.. And yet when I proposed mandatory helmets in cars a couple of weeks ago as a safety measure.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #104

If it's any consolation I'm on your side. Edweird Jul 2012 #67

OK... LadyHawkAZ Jul 2012 #68

I'm with you Canuckistanian Jul 2012 #69

The RKBA crowd is used to being vilified, and comes to threads well prepared ProgressiveProfessor Jul 2012 #71

Hogwash. HuckleB Jul 2012 #103

I was referring to DU ProgressiveProfessor Jul 2012 #142

always at the ready tiny elvis Jul 2012 #108

In my town -- CokeMachine Jul 2012 #88

That's one look. HuckleB Jul 2012 #105

Thanks -- CokeMachine Jul 2012 #113

Well, one answer is better infrastructure. HuckleB Jul 2012 #131

I agree about the infrastructure. CokeMachine Jul 2012 #145

One group is required by law to ride in the street with the cars.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #115

I don't have those numbers CokeMachine Jul 2012 #144

I see your point and understand your concerns.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #146

I understand -- CokeMachine Jul 2012 #147

I walk to work, and many other places. I also cycle and drive an automobile. HuckleB Jul 2012 #96

DU has a very large, very vocal anti-bike faction. kestrel91316 Jul 2012 #133

I don't think it's that large. HuckleB Jul 2012 #135

I haven't noticed that, but will take your word for it ProgressiveProfessor Jul 2012 #143

Not RW, just anti-spandex taterguy Jul 2012 #149