Spoakland

Well, I had my first car-related accident -- a guy pulled out right in front of me. I yelled to get his attention, but he just kept on going. I couldn't come to a complete stop and ended up on the hood of his car. Miraculously both I and my bike are fine, though I'm trying to process all of this.

Anyone have any tips/advice? Part of me wants to get back in the saddle, but not sure how to come to terms with what happened. The freakish thing is that there was really nothing I could have done. There were no obstructions, it was in the day time and I was wearing fairly conspicuous clothing. He just plum didn't see me.

I'm thinking of riding in a group from now on and maybe investing in a daytime light... Anyone have suggestions for front lights that are visible in the day? Any other tips?

BobbyG

Airzound Airhorn It has caught the attention of many distracted drivers, but not all.

saint mucus

You just got spooked. I've been ridding motorcycles for 20 yrs, been spooked a few times, there's now way I could live without riding. If you feel the same about bicycles you'll ride again, fact is your going to die, just do what you love until then and don't worry about it.

Dave Cutter

Nothing freakish about it. The fact is... we all die... no one gets out of this alive. And you're correct... there is nothing you or anyone else can do about it. If you continue to participate in dangerous activities.... like getting off the couch... accidents and injuries are also a sure thing.

Flashing lights, and bright clothing might make you feel safer. But it might be better to just come to terms with your own mortality.... and fragility. Then... you can put this worry and concern behind you... and enjoy the one and only life you have. That's what I've done anyway. Works for me.

canklecat

Group rides are a good idea until you get your confidence back. Groups are more visible and often safer, especially well organized groups with traffic control.

And practice good panic braking techniques and evasive actions in a safe location until it becomes reflexive, a habit. By "safe location" I mean a place without other traffic -- vehicles, bikes, pedestrians. There's still a risk of falling while practicing, but you can either pick a grassy spot with soft ground or wear protective pads.

You might find an experienced cyclist in your area to mentor you in safety and evasive actions. Sometimes an objective and experienced eye can spot things we're doing that we're not aware of.

Regarding lights, I almost always run flashing white lights on my bike and/or helmet, day and night, especially where cars may be. The exceptions are on the open sections of the MUP with unobstructed sight lines. However there's a section of winding trail with heavy tree cover and obstructed sight lines -- I've noticed it's much easier to see other cyclists through the foliage when they run white flashers, so I've done that as well. I aim them downward a bit to avoid blinding folks.

And I'm adding a much brighter red flashing rear LED. My existing lights are fine for low light, but drivers need a bit more help in daylight.

Maelochs

Same thing could have happened while walking, driving, you could slip in the shower and kill yourself. Your spouse could kill you for buying another bike.

You will get over it. How quickly you get over it depends a lot on how much you want to.

One thing I hope you learn is Never to trust drivers in side streets or driveways. I don't care if they look at you, make eye contact, and wave ... they will still pull out if they see an opening between cars, even if a bike is there.

it was not your fault ... but next time you will automatically slow down in advance because you will know what boneheads drivers can be.

pdlamb

You might want to take the same approach you took when learning to ride. Start on quiet streets or bike paths until you're comfortable on slightly busier streets. Work your way up to riding like you were last week. Just don't push the boundaries of your comfort zone too much. Since you learned the necessary cycling skills before, the process shouldn't take as long this time -- no need to go through your teenage years again!

Leebo

500 lumen blinking front light.

FBinNY 

+1, an accident can easily spook you, but you have to keep it in perspective and get past it, maybe with a lesson learned that may (that's MAY - there are no guaranties).

One thing to consider is the number of years you''ve ridden without an accident, and consider how much more likely it is to not have an accident.

A daylight strobe headlight may help, as might riding a bit farther out into the lane to improve sight lines, but the reality is that it's easy for drivers to miss seeing bicycles because we present a small profile and can easily hide at the edge of sight lines. So it's up to you to be as alert as possible, especially riding along parked cars, or approaching intersections.

So, my advice boils down to learn what you can from this, then put it out of your mind and move on as if it never happened.

10 Wheels

This Strobe gets their attention...

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SquidPuppet

You are fine. Your bike is fine. What are you spooked about?

Maelochs

I can sympathize. I crashed and cracked my collarbone in June, and my first few rides were pretty shaky ... in part because i wasn't fully healed, but in part because some part of my brain wanted to seize up when I had to really control the bike (cars passing at high speed with no bike lane or breakdown lane and an uneven roadside with debris, for instance.)

Thing is, I knew it was all in my mind, and the countless thousands of safe miles I have biked already prove that cycling is safe. I just had to consciously dismiss the fear and in a couple rides I was fine.

Want to get over it. Make yourself get over it. It is your mind, make it do what you want it to.

jefnvk

I crashed pretty good the Sunday night before I was set to start a Monday morning European tour. Getting up in pain the next morning, forcing myself on the bike, and going out for 55 miles that day took care of all the worry. Granted, I really didn't have an alternative option besides bailing and taking the train. Took a couple days to get back to full confidence, but by Wednesday I was back to blasting over wet cobblestones, even if the pain reminder of what could happen in that situation was still there...

FBinNY 

It's easy to get spooked by a close call.

It's similar in both cause and effect to PTSD, and can have an effect for a while after the event. In time the OP will get over it, especially if he gets back on the bike immediately.

Dave Cutter

It's a tad demeaning to compare the injuries of battle-hardened veterans.... as similar to a bicycle close-call, near accident. They ain't even close.

Bmach

Did he stop after you ended up on his hood? Either way did you contact the police? As for getting back on the bike, the group ride idea sounds good. How far way from low traffic back roads are you? You could drive there and ride on them until you feel comfortable riding in traffic again. Glad you are ok.

SquidPuppet

That's what I don't understand. There were no physical or financial injuries as a byproduct of the event. There was neither suffering nor witnessing of suffering, so I don't see it as a traumatic event.

That's not meant as a put down of the OP. His/her experience is just something I have difficulty understanding.

SquidPuppet

PTSD isn't reserved for war veterans. Many experiences, in addition to those of the battlefield can cause it.

Seattle Forrest

Somebody went through a trauma that might easily have ended his life, apparently it was only blind luck that prevented an awful demise. Of course they're going to be gun shy about it afterward!

Seattle Forrest

Only if you're out fishing for reasons to be offended. By the way you're the only person who mentioned anything about battles and veterans. The rest of us are talking about fear and bicycles.

Dave Cutter

Disabled veterans are NOT.... gun shy.

Dave Cutter

You need to read the posts you comment on.

Dave Cutter

True.... but rarely! In almost all documented cases PTSD is a veteran experience.

Seattle Forrest

No, but I have a story. I got hit while doing hill repeats, almost a year ago. Came to in the street, got loaded onto an ambulance, and let out of the hospital late the next day. Bike was a total loss. I could barely walk for weeks. Can you say "cabin fever?" "Depression?" I've been a cyclist all my life, and don't really enjoy spending large chunks of time indoors.

It was months before I got on a bike again. I started doing short test rides to find a replacement. They were joyous occasions. Back on a bicycle!

Well, I picked one out and bought it and started riding a lot. It's a somewhat different style than my last bike and I've enjoyed it very much.

I get extremely nervous when I'm in traffic and somebody does something stupid, or when I'm near where I got hit. (I can't avoid it because it's the street I live on.) Some days I don't ride because I can't shake this bad feeling, but those days are rare.

In my case, there wasn't really a choice. I never felt like I faced a decision to start riding again or not, it was always a question of when I can get back on a bike. I think I see a little of that in your OP.

Seattle Forrest

This is a serious thread. Please stop trolling. Thank you.