First bicycle accident
Today, I knocked down a girl while riding to work.
Somehow before today, the possibility of getting into an accident while riding my bicycle did not even enter my mind. If it did, I must have brusquely brushed it away, arguing that it took 2 careless people to create an accident (a la The Great Gatsby). The more I escaped near accidents and close shaves, the more I reasoned that I must have had some sort of bicycle intuition programmed into muscle memory, and that was why I must have been so good on the bicycle all this time.
But today, I tasted a dose of reality. Cruising down Central Park West, I was just zoned into the disappearing tarmac below me, admiring its swift lines. (The following happens within 2 seconds) A jogger, in full gear, with ipod in hand and earphones steps out from behind 2 parked cars and screams Oh My God Oh My God and before my mind fully comprehends the situation, my left handlebar strikes the woman in her stomach and sends her hurling over and onto the ground as she falls on her knees and uses her palm to break the fall, while I am lurched out Northeast and upwards over my seat and I somehow manage to land in a crouched position as my bicycle falls on its right side. (End of 2 seconds)
She's sobbing and moaning and checking the bruises on her palms and her knees and crying Oh My God Oh My God and kneeling down to pick up her silver ipod (which was still in good condition) and she's visibly shaken and she walks over to the curb and I foolishly ask her Are You Okay (what else can you ask?) and I stare at her, trying to take in her pain and will it away but she keeps sobbing. And as people gather around us, she bends down to tie her shoelaces and says It's Okay Don't Worry You Can Go. For a moment I wonder whether I should run over to buy ice or water or Something for her but I realize my legs are shaking too and my head is throbbing. I look away from her and pick up my bike and start riding but my legs are still shaking. I am inching forward, the accident fresh in my mind.
I'm at work now. I tell all my coworkers, some gasp, some laugh, they all say Well At Lease You're Not Hurt. No I'm not hurt. But I reflect. I was on the bike lane, she came out of nowhere, it's not my fault, but still I feel bad for her, she's the one in pain and not me. It's not a good feeling. I could have easily hit another bicycle, maybe another car. Maybe I could have been the one on the ground writhing in pain. And then I realize, I really do have to be more careful on my bicycle.
Somehow before today, the possibility of getting into an accident while riding my bicycle did not even enter my mind. If it did, I must have brusquely brushed it away, arguing that it took 2 careless people to create an accident (a la The Great Gatsby). The more I escaped near accidents and close shaves, the more I reasoned that I must have had some sort of bicycle intuition programmed into muscle memory, and that was why I must have been so good on the bicycle all this time.
But today, I tasted a dose of reality. Cruising down Central Park West, I was just zoned into the disappearing tarmac below me, admiring its swift lines. (The following happens within 2 seconds) A jogger, in full gear, with ipod in hand and earphones steps out from behind 2 parked cars and screams Oh My God Oh My God and before my mind fully comprehends the situation, my left handlebar strikes the woman in her stomach and sends her hurling over and onto the ground as she falls on her knees and uses her palm to break the fall, while I am lurched out Northeast and upwards over my seat and I somehow manage to land in a crouched position as my bicycle falls on its right side. (End of 2 seconds)
She's sobbing and moaning and checking the bruises on her palms and her knees and crying Oh My God Oh My God and kneeling down to pick up her silver ipod (which was still in good condition) and she's visibly shaken and she walks over to the curb and I foolishly ask her Are You Okay (what else can you ask?) and I stare at her, trying to take in her pain and will it away but she keeps sobbing. And as people gather around us, she bends down to tie her shoelaces and says It's Okay Don't Worry You Can Go. For a moment I wonder whether I should run over to buy ice or water or Something for her but I realize my legs are shaking too and my head is throbbing. I look away from her and pick up my bike and start riding but my legs are still shaking. I am inching forward, the accident fresh in my mind.
I'm at work now. I tell all my coworkers, some gasp, some laugh, they all say Well At Lease You're Not Hurt. No I'm not hurt. But I reflect. I was on the bike lane, she came out of nowhere, it's not my fault, but still I feel bad for her, she's the one in pain and not me. It's not a good feeling. I could have easily hit another bicycle, maybe another car. Maybe I could have been the one on the ground writhing in pain. And then I realize, I really do have to be more careful on my bicycle.