So I figured I would ride my bike to work yesterday (which I do almost every day of the week anyway) since the weather looked like it might be the last really good day this year. On the way home, I was approaching an intersection where the light had already given me the green and a guy coming from my right came flying up with no intention of stopping for his red. So I crashed to avoid t-boning him or keep from getting run over by him. Fortunately, there were people all around who saw what happened and explained that he was running the red light. I am now a true believer in the crash bar. It kept my bike from really getting destroyed. Still end up with a bunch of stuff gashed on the left side, but I was able to actually get on it and ride it home (after the firefighters helped me bend the shifter arm back straight). I thought I might have broken my ankle, but after a trip to the ER, they confirmed that it was only a severe scar. Got a nasty spot on my elbow and my knee and my shoulder got jammed pretty bad, so I am really hurting today. But at least I did not get killed.

At first, the police officer said that the guy would not be liable because there was no collision between him and I (how ridiculous does that sound?). Fortunately, the cop got the guy to basically admit that he did not see the light, so I can use that in the police report to get might insurance to fight with his to get some of my bike fixed and pay for the little bit of medical bills I may end up with. Boy was I pissed (and still am)!

 

Actually, I had a severely sprained ankle, not a scar (although I already have some of those on the same ankle from my military injury).

 

Sorry to hear this. Hate to hear anything about this sort of thing, but at least you are not badly injured.
Must agree with you on the crash bar, well worth the look.

 

Whoa! Dude, way to be alert and avoid the imminent T-Bone. Did he say he was day-dreaming or texting someone...WTF? Hopefully it all works out for ya.

 

I always hate to hear bad news but it could have been much worse..glad you only got what you did, and most importantly glad the police found the guy that caused you your trouble..

 

Hate to hear about that shat, but glad you are able to tell us about it. Godspeed on your recovery and your repairs.

 

Sorry, but Way to be alert! Glad it wasn't any worse!

 

Great example of defensive driving. Glad you weren't hurt to bad.

 

Good that you were alert to what was going on around you and just didnt rely on the green light. I'm assuming the guy stopped. Sad to say but lots of people would have kept going. Glad you're mostly OK.

 

glad to hear you made it thru and were able to ride home. best of luck