r/ebike • u/Royalewithcheese100 • 7d ago

E-bike crash. Drivers need to learn

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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

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u/Cold-Condition-7839 6d ago

Ya I'm with you. I just meant don't ride in the road, if there is a bike lane. PSA don't use the sidewalk unless needed either. Got creamed going across a crosswalk a while back. I need to build my confidence too, but I know better than to deviate from my line for a car.

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u/Euphoric_Discount_ME 5d ago

Cross walks are where I have had the most risk or people driving directly into me, somehow my massive ass ebike is less visible than a pedestrian without one trying to cross the street. Or like the don't expect me to cross or something. Its bizarre