This has to stop...sigh. Although I am improving.

I crashed again on my bike today. All is well. So far it has been the least scaring accident. Just a small skin tuff on my leg. Here is the story.

Was riding at Cider Hill Cross and Cider Hill intersection. I was moving quickly in the bike lane approaching the intersection. There was a car moving into the intersection. I came up just behind and beside it and saw that it began to turn right. I was way to close to stop with my bad brakes so I just went loose and hit the car with my body. Man contact to the car was right on the passenger window and my body. The car stopped and I then continued to fall to the ground. I got up right away and the people in the car were really scared that I was hurt. With my experiences so far I knew I was OK. We proceeded to chat on the side of the road. Good spirits were flowing within me. I have built an attitude while riding that place blame is not a successful method of interaction with others.

While I am riding I try to give space between myself and cars around me. That space allows me to react to provide myself time to move to safety. I did not give space today. I didn't see an indication light either. An indication light does not tell the truth all the time. We have all seen a car driving down the road for many blocks with the turn signal on. Instead I keep my eyes staring strongly at the right front tire, they can't turn into me if the wheel is straight, right?

The sharing of responsibility for these accidents is so important. The conversation, not argument, that we had on the side of the road was calm and honest. We shared first names not information. We shared attitudes and beliefs not insults and blame. It doesn't help the situation to blame either side.

I look back onto each accident, that I can remember (hehe), and try to see what I have learned from it. With this accident there were 3 things. 1) I know for myself that I need to be more careful of intersections. Not to be passing cars and give more space for myself. 2) My rear brakes were not in even good condition let alone great and I had meant to change them today. I guess I needed this to happen in order to teach me the importance of having really good brakes at all times. 3) Keep a clear mind. The driver and passenger of the car were so appreciative of my attitude and philosophy of the accident. They expressed how easy it was to talk to me after such an incident and how compared to their past experiences with cyclist this has been such a pleasant experience.

Like a meeting of friends on the side of the road, this incounter had us both leaving with smiles. My bike is hanging in the garage right now. Stripped down so that I can replace the rear brakes and give it a really good overall cleaning.

Wishing you all the best

Nicholas

PS: First accident of being 24 years old. Yay!
PPS: Stop saying ride safe! 'evil eye' to those people who keep saying it to me. It is not helping. :)