Ok, so yesterday I went out on a 75k training ride. On my way home everything is great and I have a tailwind to make things that mmuch better. I’m crossing through a town called pointe-claire along the lakeshore in montreal, when I come to an intersection. I check to see that the intersection was clear, It looked safe to pass through so I continued on, when a car slowly creeps past his stop sign. This intersection had 4 stop signs. Its as if he didnt even make a stop and just slowly pushed on. As he creeps out of his corner he doesnt look both ways at all and i shout “HEY!” and he looks right at me. He made no effort to move his car back or forward and just kept moving at 2km/hr (slight exaggeration) At this point i slam my brakes but its not enough. I hit the back end of his car and bailed. It happened so fast I didn’t know what to think. I immidiately got up and walked to the corner as this was in the middle of the road. My chin bleeding all over and my front wheel damaged. Aside from that my 2 index fingers bruised to the bone. The driver drove away. Hit and run just like that. The rim on my ksyrium SL totally ruined. No other bike damage.
I called the police to file a hit and run police report, and they called me back 40 minutes later saying there was too much activity at the moment and they couldn’t send a police cruiser. My dad came and got me, brought me to the police station where I filed a report there. I found out that the driver went to another police station and filed a report also.
I have 6 stitches in my chin, 2 bruised to the bone index fingers, and my life in the palm of my hands. I was lucky to get away with what I did, and I know now that I have to be just that much more careful.
As Tom said, “ouch” indeed and you are very fortunate things didn’t turn out much, much worse. That being said:
**I check to see that the intersection was clear, It looked safe to pass through so I continued on, when a car slowly creeps past his stop sign. This intersection had 4 stop signs. Its as if he didnt even make a stop **
Wasn’t trying to beat you up more than you’ve already gone through…but it’s important to note that fact. But I’m just like you, I’ll get to an intersection and more or less roll through stop signs----unless another car is already there or looks for some reason like the driver’s not paying attention, or traffic is particularly heavy.
But not 100% of the time will I stop at a stop sign, or a red light even.
I think we all take chances like that and sooner or later our luck runs out. For you, take one life off—you only have 8 left!
Yeah, the same sort of incident happened recently to a local “biker”. Except he wasn’t wearing a helmet, hit his head on the curb and died.
Two things I think all local bike stores(and ANYPLACE BIKES ARE SOLD!) should advertise are:
1.) Always wear a helmet!
2.) Always obey traffic signals just as any other vehicles have to.
I know people here locally that simply ride through stop signs as if they weren’t even there. This includes people who are long time members of the local bike club.
In addition, today I saw someone I know who is a long time cyclist who wasn’t wearing a helmet!!#%@#%@ He had on his cycling cap and was trying to be all cool and retro and stuff.
I just think there should be no excuse not to follow at LEAST the above two rules.
All of this being said, I’m very happy that you weren’t injured more severly Ted. You take care of yourself out there. Also, your home owners insurance, or renters insurance should cover the damages to your bike. I’m guessing it will…