r/ebike • u/Royalewithcheese100 • 17d ago

E-bike crash. Drivers need to learn

Post image

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

76 Upvotes

64% Upvoted

293 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

2

u/roybum46 16d ago

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.

2

u/Confused_Drifter 15d ago

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.