Cromulent

Glad you're healing. Hope you're back on the bike soon.

doktoravalanche

Wow, that's amazing... Well done for just surviving, i don't know if i'd be able to bounce back in the way you have. Look forward to your new bike being posted in the commuter thread...

Chaco

What a story. I hope you heal well, and sooner than you thought you would.

Reading your story makes me more convinced than ever that I shouldn't worry about taking the lane when there's no bike lane and nothing but parked cars on the right.

NSJ

Here's what I've learned about commuting in the future: never, ever use a Felt Scandium framed, 16 lb roadster with DurAce, Mavic's, eggbeaters, et al as a commuter bike in a big city. Seriously. I 've never riden recklesslessly---I can't tell you the # of times I've had to yell at a driver for cutting me off, changing lanes w/o looking, etc. But High end road bikes shouldn't be used for commuting, for sure, and I normally never used my high end road bike for such purposes--it's difficult to access the brakes immediately in case of an accident when your'e not in the drops. At the time of the accident, I was going to meet someone who wanted to buy a guitar amp I had advertised on Craig's List.

Normally, I had been using a heavier Bike Friday touring bike/folder with regular pedals, easier to access brakes for getting around, but it was in the shop (actually, back to Bike Friday HQs in Oregon for repair). I'll return to the Bike Friday, for sure. You can access the brakes on the top of the handlebars.

Lurch

What an ordeal! I'm glad you are progressing so well and maintaining such a good attitude. All you other people please investigate being blood donors if you don't donate already. It's a good way to give something back to society and feel good about yourself at the same time. You may notice a bit of fatigue for a few days after you donate, but it isn't normally a big deal. Consider what a difference those 28 donors made in this guy's life.

kmcrawford111

Wow. Your courage is very admirable.

Best wishes for a successful recovery.

Best wishes for a safer future for bicyclists.

Rotten Bastard

Sorry I'm late to this. Good vibes sent your way, NSJ.

SweetLou

[QUOTE=rajman;5082699]I might be wrong, but I think you missed the point. He wasn't saying that commuting by bike is dangerous and to stop, but that it can be dangerous and should ride in a manner that you are prepared for idiots. For example, don't ride in the lane of park cars with no room to maneuver in case a door opens, but to ride with the traffic and if needed to take the lane. I know when I ride, I am always on the look for dangerous situations.

mirage1

Ditto. It's always good to get a reminder that I am the one who has to take responsibility for making sure some knucklehead doesn't affect my life like this!

NSJ, I'm so glad this story is on its way to a happy ending.

slvoid

Holy crap, glad you recovered dude.

If anything, you've convinced me to be more careful out there.

Jarery

Wow, so glad your on a road to recovery instead of a road to a grassy field overlooking the city.
The accessible brakes is why i use my cross bike to commute and not my road bike, with the inline brakes I can reach them at all times.

Again, glad your recovering, and able to post

State

So keep your hands in the drops? I commute on a road bike, and I if I am in traffic (or any other situation where I might have to make a panic stop) my hands are in the drops, and my fingers might even be touching the levers.

Bikepacker67

I really do hope the OP heals quickly and fully, so I'll tread lightly here, but I think folks are being a bit too hard on the parked motorist who opened his door.

I think it's the job of the cyclist to stay OUT of the door zone (it's also the pedestrian stepping between two SUVs zone!). Take the lane, or don't ride that street -- but riding a whisker away from curbs and parked cars can get you killed.

discosaurus

Wow. I don't have anything new or exciting to offer, but I can't read that and not comment.

It's amazing that you pulled through so well (considering...). Heal up, fast and fully! I wish you many great rides when you're ready to get back on the bike.

discosaurus

double

discosaurus

triple. my internet connection sucks!

lima_bean

it is illegal in Chicago (where this happened to the OP), and from my anecdotal experience with dooring in Chicago cops are knowledgeable of this law and actively ticket for it.

lima_bean

Absolutely it is dangerous. Almost as dangerous as commuting by car. People commuting by car, and by bike, should be aware of these dangers, I agree with you! Harrowing story here, hopefully some good will come of it and some people may be reminded of the dangers and take actions to minimize the risk.

dr. nate

You are strong, keep up the work in PT don't forget your goals!

-Nate

heywood

Wow..glad you're mending and get back out on that bike, it's one of the reasons you survived..oh and also got hit..

I got nailed by an out of control car and got a broken leg, gashes, you name it..the part of your story about learning to sit up and go to the bathroom bring all that stuff back...man am I happy i can stand again.. and pain sucks!

I settled for $55k which put a down payment on house so at least I got something out of it..you should too!! and of course i'm glad i'm alive..

Cheers!

mtnwalker

OMG, glad to hear that you are on your way to recovery. I'm really sorry to hear what has happened to you. I want to congratulate you on your strength and positive attitude to get going with life and to get back on the bike. Lesser mortals would be taking anti-depressants by now and/or giving up. I hope you heal quickly and positively. More power to you.

NSJ

Great to hear a happy ending to your story! Hope you got back on the bike and are enjoying it again, too---safely, of course. BTW: I already have a lawyer, and he is working on the case. In Cook County, a civil case usually takes, oh, about 4-5 years to filter through the beauracracy...

natesi

So, what do you do in the mean time? Pay an outrageous hospital bill or go totally bankrupt?

Seriously.

Are you single or married? I'm single and one of my concerns is that if I got hit, was in the hospital for weeks, and couldn't work for a few months I'd be destroyed financially. The medical bills alone could be over $100K. I have good health insurance, but health insurance is so bad in the US that I would almost expect them to totally screw me over and leave me with a portion to pay. And I guess having a couple month's salary in the bank would help with time off, but damn.

I feel like the only thing a person could do is TRY to have as good of health insurance as possible, a few month's salary in the bank, short term disability insurance, and longterm disability insurance. But does your employer have to hold your job for you for months? If you're not working for months and your health insurance comes out of your paycheck are you not covered for rehab?

Man, this is scarry.

Sahaquiel

What a horror story! So relieved you're alive, though. Live strong, man!

BigMacFU

God bless, that is an awful thing to happen. I hope you recover faster than prescribed given your obviously strong will.