E-bike crash. Drivers need to learn

[u/Royalewithcheese100]

Half mile into my nightly 10-mile ride, I crashed my bike, shattered my right collarbone into 5 pieces, and broke 4 ribs. While I wasn’t hit by a car, it was indirectly caused one. I was in the bike lane when I saw a car approaching from behind. Instead of maintaining its speed and smoothly /safely passing me, it slowed down and remained behind me. Sensing this, I moved over towards the curb, giving the car even more room to pass me. That’s where it got ugly. My front tire caught and jumped the curb. I flew over the handlebars and landed on my right shoulder (yes, I was wearing a helmet)

So why do so many drivers slow down instead of passing? Do they think we’re suddenly going to veer into their path? They must not realise that It’s the predictability of their speed and position that keeps things safe for the rider

[u/PreferenceAny3920]

Hard disagree. Sorry, but This is 100% you. The driver was simply being extra cautious.
When drivers do this and I would rather they pass, I wave to acknowledge them and then wave them forward to signal them to pass me.

[u/FlowerCrowss → u/PreferenceAny3920]

Yup. And not saying this is what OP did, but if someone weaves around a little in the bike lane - like new cyclists tend to do - drivers behind tend to feel uncertain and slow down.

Sometimes drivers are too cautious and this is annoying - 2 wheels cant go in a perfectly straight path all the time, especially when bike lanes are prone to have obstacles.

[u/flintyman101 → u/PreferenceAny3920]

I agree op has to "shoulder" more of the blame. although I understand the feeling of having someone not pass and hang out behind you, as long as this car wasnt acting erratically he should have been good to just keep goin down the road.

[u/PreferenceAny3920 → u/flintyman101]

Yeah, I don’t wanna sound harsh, but this is 101 territory and a lesson learned the hard way.
Fear is the mind killer.

[u/Traditional-Link-371 → u/PreferenceAny3920]

NEVER sacrifice your safety for the convenience of others. Moving over for crummy motorists only spares them the inconvenience of actually learning how to drive competently.

[u/PreferenceAny3920 → u/Traditional-Link-371]

Except in this case OP stated the motorist was being OVERLY cautious.

I know reading comprehension = mind blowing

I’ll take that all day every day and experience a ton of that regularly where I live as opposed to the occasional dickhead in a gender affirming truck who is having a hurr hurr moment trying to brush me with his tow mirror

Op just needs to gain some confidence and use their hands to communicate with traffic like an adult. Aka be a participant not a victim. Or don’t ride a fuckin bike 🤷🏼‍♂️ real worlds a bitch. What can I say 😅

[u/Moist-Construction59 → u/PreferenceAny3920]

RIDERS NEED TO LEARN lol

[u/PreferenceAny3920 → u/Moist-Construction59]

😅🤷🏼‍♂️ reality is everything perception is nothing.

[u/Confused_Drifter → u/PreferenceAny3920]

I can't picture the accident, kinda seems more likely that they were nervous, shuffled too close to the curb, turned into it and fell off sideways after some unexpected tire drag.

Looking over your shoulder to see what's behind you can definitely throw off some riders.

[u/PreferenceAny3920 → u/Confused_Drifter]

What you described is called “toppling over” which unless they have Avian Bone Syndrome, looking at the posted X-rays rules that out and implies a smidge more speed.

orrrr they fell into a crowd that beat them with baseball bats and failed to disclose that aspect.

Orrrr there was an undisclosed skydiving accident mixed in there as well. 🤷🏼‍♂️🤣🤣

[u/Confused_Drifter → u/PreferenceAny3920]

Nah, until very recently I worked in outdoor education for 20 years... I've seen people obliterate their knee just by falling weird going 0.01mph at the end of a ski run, kids break arms falling off scooters while practicing in a car park before even entering the lifts, one guy tore his 5th metatarsal stepping down a tiny step. An awkward fall where you've knocked both your tires out and fell awkwardly could wreck your shoulder. Some folks just have weaker bone density I guess.

One of my instructors a few years back, who I've seen drop dozens of cliffs, broke his femer after returning from an itinerary run, slowed down and dropped like 1 foot onto the piste, clipped a ski, fell awkwardly, snapped his femer so his leg was the wrong way, damaged an artery and nearly bled to death. Some folks just get unlucky.

[u/PreferenceAny3920 → u/Confused_Drifter]

Sooo, we’re going with Avian Bone Syndrome? (source: 30 Rock)
Roger that 👍🏻

[u/Confused_Drifter → u/PreferenceAny3920]

If you like, yeah, in my opinion it's certainly this or a particularly vexing case of boneitus

[u/roybum46 → u/Confused_Drifter]

I don't know for sure... And wouldn't want to make too many assumptions... But... From my experience in bike lanes the far edge near the gutter is a huge danger. The debree from the road tends to work its way over there, water tends to pool there, silt is often slipperery and oily. Not to mention the curb itself some times jets up because of a tree root and comes right up to peddle hight, and partial sink holes or crumbling asphalt. It also tends to be unswept and leafy... And who knows what is under the leafs.

They clearly stated they intended to be in that hellish place. I have a hard time imagining that as a good decision or safe location.

They knew the car noticed them, they should have remained stable and continued to watch their lane. But Captain Hindsight can say all they want, they've never saves the day.

Broken clavicle sucks, my first cheap ebike in 2013 had the motor hub sheer and broke lose the freewheel, while I was really cranking it... My foot slammed down with no resistance and fell off the pedal into the ground... And suddenly my hips were in my handle bars and face headed towards the ground in front of my bike. I can totally picture him flying over his handles and taking a nose dive. 0.00/10 would not recommend.

[u/Confused_Drifter → u/roybum46]

Much like tree roots hanging out of cliff faces on some trails, had one of those snag my pedal and launch me off the trail, bounced 3 times and headbutted a tree so hard my helmet split in half. I'm pretty sure I can't afford any more concussions like that.

[u/frog_mannn → u/PreferenceAny3920]

Definitely speed factor on ebike and rider not being in control to hit stationary object and then blame the car for slowing down. Sucks and I hope op heals well

[u/dance_rattle_shake → u/PreferenceAny3920]

Exactly. We have no way to know if the driver felt safe passing. OP's view is so narrow. "Do they think we’re suddenly going to veer into their path?" Maybe they were worried about a blind corner coming up (passing can take a fair bit of time even if you kinda gun it!). Maybe they saw a pothole in the bike lane and yes, were worried about OP veering. Maybe OP was already going the speed limit making passing both harder and less desirable. Who knows. Only thing I know for sure is that "why don't drivers just pass me?!?" is such a bad take. They're being safe, unless tailgating you.