Cyclist hit by car, mvt at daingerfield marina

@Kidcongo 147660 wrote:

Around 430 pm today I was riding third in a line of 3 bikes. When we came to the road that crosses the bike path to lead to the marina, a Honda Fit waved us through but he must have only noticed the first cyclist because he abruptly sped up and hit the guy in the middle. Rider thrown, landed head first on asphalt. No helmet, lots of blood but the rider seemed to be alert and oriented when it happened. I’d slowed down assuming – like always – that cars will always try to hit you.

I hopped off my bike and got the attention of a park police SUV. Then I went back and dug out some wipes and some other first aid gear from my bag for the rider and he used them on a bloody patch on the back of his head and on his hand. He said he wasn’t dizzy and he was sitting up. The cop came over and logged the details and said I wasn’t needed anymore and an ambulance was en route.

The driver seemed pretty upset and worried about the cyclist. He had sunlight in his eyes so I’m sure he just didn’t see us behind the first guy and hadn’t realized he’d seemed to wave all three of us through.

This is why most of the time when a motorist tries to wave me through when they have very clear right of way, I don’t let them, even if it means a “no, you go first” battle.

Its also why its a really bad idea to try and follow someone through an intersection without slowing down. Countless times I’ve seen cyclists on MUPs see traffic slowing for a rider ahead and they sprint to try and make the same opening and go through at full speed.

I’m a PAL.

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@brokespoke 147676 wrote:

Completely agree with this. When I was in training to be a commercial driver the teachers said that under no circumstances were you ever to try to play traffic cop. The best thing to do, if someone else has the right of way, was to sit there and stare at them until they gave up waving and finally went through the stop sign. At times it made for pretty funny antics as some people will go absolutely crazy waving at you if you just sit there looking at them long enough. But that aside, it’s always better to be predictable and follow the correct order of right-of-way.

I did exactly this when I was stopped on my bike, waiting to make a turn into traffic from a side street, and a driver stopped in the middle of the street to let me in. It only became a problem when another driver pulled up behind me and started honking. Sometimes you just can’t do the right thing, apparently (even when you are).

@Tania 147682 wrote:

I just expect everyone to act stupid.

I expect that everyone is not my PAL.

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@ShawnoftheDread 147695 wrote:

I’m not your buddy, pal.

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