Vortex
YOU GUYS!
My self-adhesive sweat saved my life!
I was just riding down Santa Monica Blvd. on my way to work as usual, passed the 405 but her before Bundy, and stopped at a light. (The right lane varies in width throughout this stretch, sometimes the shoulder is real nice and big or you get lucky with some parked cars in the lane–minimizing the song and dance of trying to make yourself as obvious as possible to the other cars. This area had a smaller shoulder.)
So I was keeping an eye on the car in front of me, giving it some breathing room at the light in case it was going to turn. The light turns green, there is a cyclist taking up the lane in front of it, so even though I am going slow, I start to move beside the large SUV. With no turn signal on, I assumed I could pass it on the shoulder.
Well, right as I am passing the right rear tire the car begins to turn and I try to stop and let it pass but the car was too close. I start turning with the car and my arm gets stuck to the side of the car and it begins to cart me up the road. I scream (and I am not a screamer). These two guys get the drivers attention. He stops. I am able to stay on the bike and ride forward without losing balance, get off the bike, and walk back to the road.
I talked to the driver. But I was shaking and pretty spooked.
On Friday Matthew just missed getting in an accident. The car next to him was hit and the windows shattered and he was able to get out of the way because it was in an intersection. There was glass everywhere. He stopped for a sec, but then went to his appt. at the DMV.
We just found out that one of his old co-workers was killed in a car accident.
Riding bikes on the west side of LA makes you want to ride on the sidewalk (i.e. break the law and lose your dignity).
There is no sharing the road in these parts. I wish the bike lane extended past the 405… I mostly wish that I could just ride my bike and not be scared anymore. There are so many close calls everyday…
I want things to move slower.
I want to enjoy the ride every time. Not just when I get lucky and the air is less thick and cars are a bit nicer.
I know that there are no babies allowed.
But sometimes I wonder what it’s like not to feel like a little bitch every time you want a break.
There are no breaks in Los Angeles. On your down time* you get hit by a car. WTF. And on your Old Man’s birthday. It ain’t right.
*commuting
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I’m on edge with riding. People either are oblivious or actively hating on you. It’s the truth. We have both almost gotten creamed in the last week. What is even going on? Riding bikes shouldn’t be frightening. This is not what I had in mind.
Comment by Matthew — October 6, 2008 #
GOOD NEWS! I found an awesome new route that cuts around this part of Santa Monica Blvd… It even has a bike path. (Granted, it is more of a “bike path” because it is pretty much the sidewalk with painted arrows.)
Comment by Laura — October 9, 2008 #
i am not sure if this applies. but i too am a public commuter, mainly the bus/metro. and i must say that a similar disregard occurs between us and them. recently, well, just about everyday heading down 7th street downtown cars could give less than a fuck if a bus full of folks is trying to merge or stop. and don’t think prius’s are exceptions, they are worse. one person per prius, and stuff it if you’re getting in my lane. while i lower emissions i increase the peace of shit attitude of heir-achy. it’s more about the icon than the cause. at least SUVs are blatant with disregard.
i don’t know how i landed on the prius crap,vodka does wonders
Comment by daniel — October 10, 2008 #
of course it applies! i feel you on the PT frustrations. It’s funny how some prius owners try to act like they are “on my side” when at a stop sign, like prius’ and bikes are “working for the cause.” P.S. Mr. Prius YOU ARE STILL DEPENDENT ON OIL. And even if you were electric… share the wealth and carpool a bit. A bit harsh, i know. But I just get weary of the elitism that comes from hybrid drivers, that is why hybrids are just an excuse for people to think they are even better than the middle and lower class who ride the bus. Drivers only talk about buses in a negative way. But the things is that we are all in this together, you know. Share the road, it feels better that way.
Comment by Laura — October 11, 2008 #
Well, also the prius drivers we see are in beverly hills so they are exceptionally douchey. Also, it’s like they could still hit us or run us over or run us off the road and we could die.
I heart buses. Forget cars.
Comment by Matthew — October 12, 2008 #
ballsy. I am terrified to ride a bike here in Retiree-ville where everyone sits 2 inches below the ability to see out of the window, but I can say for certain I would rather take my chances here than in LA. Thankfully you are ok! Congratz on the new path.
Comment by Shell — November 22, 2008 #