Bicycling for a better life
The Wreck
Surgery Update 1/26/10: Why I had surgery.
Surgery Update: Why I haven't had surgery.
Other Updates - July 3
Twenty five years of riding, never had an accident. Avoided many. When it finally did happen it had to be big. But it also could have been avoided. This happened on the bike path, no cars around. The bike path was created as a safe place to ride. The problem is very few follow the law. The number one law on the bike trail is "ALL USERS MUST KEEP RIGHT". While it is very common to see casual walkers, strollers, runners, rollerbladers, etc constantly breaking this law, a good deal of cyclists tend to get the idea it does not apply to them. In fact, groups tend to ignore it completely and think others will get out of their way. I have been watching this throughout my history of riding to see when something would go wrong. It did and it happened to me.
WEAR A HELMENT!
I literally hit headfirst into the pavement. I felt it but it was cushioned by my helmet. There is no doubt in my mind that at a minimum my head would have been split open if I had no helment on. I can't stress it enough -
WEAR A HELMENT!
It was a very nice day for a ride, perfect weather. About a half mile ahead I saw two men on bicycles who appeared too engrossed in conversation to notice they were taking up the entire width of the path. I came up on them and yelled "bike" and proceeded to pass on the left as the law would dictate. However, as I would find out later from my opponent, the closest rider thought it was his partner on his right and instead of getting over to the right he went directly into me. Our handlebars crossed causing my bike to attempt a 90 degree right turn forcing me over the handlebars headfirst into the pavement followed by my shoulder (which includes my clavicle). I remember this second or two incredibly well and can still feel the impact - it was hard.
I found myself sitting in the ditch. I could feel the areas on my left knee, back of my right hand, left elbow and upper back that had left a great deal of my skin on the pavement. I was pissed! I had a few words to say to these two gentlemen. They realized the mistake they had made and apologized. And I appreciate that they turned their attention to my welfare. (My opponent had some good scrapes but was able to finish his ride.) I was about to continue my ride home (I had about 15 miles left in my 50 mile ride) but my head was telling me to sit down for a bit. In about 10/15 minutes I felt something was dreadfully wrong with my shoulder, then I looked down and saw a short, protruding bump. I knew I had broken my collarbone. My two new friends called 911. Medics came to prepare me for the ambulance ride from Bothel to a hospital back in Bellevue where this X-ray was taken.
June 5, 2009 Notice the broken bones on the right side.
Below is how my clavicle looked in May of 2008.
Although I still go over and over how I could have avoided this (which has drastically changed my plans and activities) I don't blame these two guys. This has been a problem I have anticipated for a long time. The system has had a very lax approach of enforcing regulations on these paths and educating those who use it. Except for some speeding and stop sign enforcement, there has been very little in public awareness and education. Although there are laws, the bike path was just sort of put out there, like in the wild and hope that users would take responsibility. But it just doesn't work that way. There are too many different types of users. We need to get everyone on the same page. It has recently been defined as a commuting path due to a court battle over the path. While I would say it is too late for me, hopefully the system will get in gear and put some civility back into the path. The system includes King County officials and lawmakers, police, and citizens who live around and use the trail among others. Hopefully these pictures will at least start the process by reminding all of us - KEEP RIGHT!
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