Getting hit by a car is a life changing event. It affects your sense of safety, leaves your body out of whack (if you're still alive!) and takes months to recover from, both mentally and physically.
I experienced my first accident a few months ago. I was lucky to have a full year of riding with no collisions. I started to bike more regularly, like a lot of people, when Covid hit. It became a way to escape the screen and get out into the world, free to ride wherever my heart desired (and my legs could pedal!). I was surprised however, when I noticed that almost every time I rode my bike I experienced at least one aggressive driver on the road. They may speed up and come close as they passed, try to beat me to a corner to make a turn, or even yell for me to get off the road. I came to expect this harassing behavior and tried to take it in stride--just another exercise in being mindful even when faced with aggression.
Then I got hit. Interestingly, this driver displayed no aggression towards me. That's because, as they claimed, they didn't even see me when they drove by before turning into me! I always expected my first accident (this issue of the inevitability of getting hit will be covered in a later post) to be from a car that was trying to muscle their way into my riding space. The oblivion of this driver added a whole new layer of awareness. I realized not only did I need to watch out for aggressive drivers, but even drivers I thought it was safe to assume had seen me! This driver literally passed me and then turned right on their way into a parking lot, crossing into the lane I was in and hitting me. To clarify, I was right next to this car when they began to turn, and they had already passed me. Not only was there no time to stop, I was invisible in my bright yellow jacket, fluorescent helmet, and flashing lights. Wow.
I couldn't walk for a full week. My elbow was swollen to the size of a tennis ball, and I had bruises up and down my entire right leg from hip to ankle. I also experienced a mild concussion that didn't surface until that night when I lay groggy in a recliner covered in heating pads and ice bricks. I was lucky. It could have been so much worse. For the next few days, I kept playing the accident over and over in my mind and coming to the same conclusion: There was nothing I could have done to avoid it, and I was lucky to be alive.
I have since been in physical therapy, regaining strength and beginning to ride again. It's been a slow process. My riding style has changed. I now assume that NO ONE sees me. I don't try to squeeze between the curb and stopped cars at a red light to get to that-spot-where-the-bike-is-supposed-to-be-next-to-the-first-car. Instead, I wait behind the last car in line, making the bet that if a car comes behind me, it is more likely to see me than a car I am to the right of up front. I go slow through intersections even with a green light, assuming it will turn yellow soon and a car from oncoming traffic will try to make their turn in time. I take up a full lane when passing parked cars, even though drivers hate this and think it is illegal (it is not), to make sure I am not "doored" and that cars do not try to pass me OVER THE YELLOW LINE between me and oncoming traffic. And I bought a horn, flashing fluorescent vest I will never ride without, and fluorescent jacket for cold month riding.
This is still not enough. As a student studying landscape architecture and planning, I know the solution is in the design of our roads and city. As one person with no official power to make decisions that could save lives, I know I still have power to effect change. This is how the Watch for Bikes sign campaign began. It is the first action by DIY Newton to make our streets safe for multi-modal transportation. The signs are designed to alert drivers that bikes are on the road too. And they have a RIGHT to be on the road. We are all people, not vehicles, and should look out for one another. Be mindful of the weapon you are driving when shooting down Comm Ave in your SUV. That thing can kill someone if YOU'RE not paying attention.
I expect to grow DIY-Newton, taking more actions to improve the safety of our streets and reduce the number of unnecessary crashes that occur every month. Until then, keep your eyes on the road and all around you! There may be a biker, a pedestrian, or child where you least expect it (even though you should expect it!).
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