Reply #6: That last line is the really important one. [View All]

[Xithras]

Several years ago a dear friend of mine was nearly killed on his bike. He was riding around sunset when he came up to a 2-Way stop. As he was coming up to the intersection, he glanced left, then right, and since he didn't see anyone he decided to blow through the sign.

As is the case with most other bikers, and drivers in general, he learned that the biggest risk to your safety is the car you DON'T see. In his case, he didn't see the car without its headlight on, lost in the glare of the sun setting behind it. He survived, but with a damaged back, a broken pelvis, and two broken legs. He's only alive because the car was lowered and moving at a pretty good clip, so his body hit the roof instead of the bumpers or windshield pillars.

He's still physically incapable of riding a bicycle, but whe he does I'm sure he'll follow the law. He learned the hard way that bicyclists pay a much steeper penalty when they screw up.