another bike collision
the journal of Michael Werneburg
twenty-seven years and one million words
Today I was in a bike accident, again. This time I hit a pedestrian.
The funny thing is that today's incident took place within meters of the site of the last incident, even though that site is not near my home or any other frequent port of call. It happened virtually on top of that last incident's site, and for nearly the same reason. A pedestrian was crossing the street in the middle of the block while wearing headphones. He glanced back over his shoulder while passing between stopped cars and saw my coming. Turning away, he then jumped to the left, right in time to catch the riser on my handle bar in the small of his back.
Slamming on the brakes as we hit, I still had enough forward momentum that the handlebar really dug into his back. The rear wheel of my bike was also lifted clear off the ground, and I wound up taking the top bar to the balls, just as with last time.
I wasn't happy, but this wasn't a case where I got upset or angry with the fellow. I asked if he was okay, but he barely took the time to mutter something over his shoulder before passing between some parked cars and away.
I think we collided with enough force that my handlebar must have given him a hell of a bruising blow, but he showed nothing and certainly didn't turn back to follow up. I was a bit shaken but was over the pain in my crotch pretty quickly and was otherwise unhurt. No damage to the bike this time, either.
Three good things that happened today:
1. Got some great news from my accountants
2. Got some real help from my step-brothers
3. Got another article done for donation to a blog