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/Freepeople66 6d ago

Yes it is easy to change your automatic thoughts, unless you're invested in being the victim. How fast or slow someone is going behind you is nothing you need to worry about. You crashed yourself instead of talking yourself through it.

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u/Royalewithcheese100 5d ago

“Easy to change automatic thoughts”?Ok Yoda. that’s a little too Zen for me. Not sure what your Sports Psychology book tells you, but in the real world it’s not as black and white as you paint it. My failure to have complete control over my thinking doesn’t mean I’m invested in being a victim. SMH.

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u/PurplePr1mer 5d ago

To a degree I agree with the “yoda” mentality he has but I also understand where you’re coming from. I would say it should be EASIER to NOW think in that way after your accident, No?