You are reading a single comment by @middleofnowhere and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
-
When/If I have a near miss in the future I'm going to get off the bike and make sure I'm calm before riding off because you can't ride safely when you're shocked.
Damn good idea, same goes after having a "difference of opinion" with another road user. Nothing like a shot of adrenalin to really fuck your decision making.
middleofnowhere
I've just started bike commuting after a two year gap (Combination of bad knee injury and office being within a few mins walking distance of home). It has been great to be back on two wheels.
I've noticed that most of my instincts are in tact if not a little dulled through lack of use.
However, last night on the way home from my new office a toddler on a scooter rolled out in front of me (not on a crossing). He just managed to get away from his mother who was still on the pavement. I was probably doing about 20mph. I missed him by about 6 inches. His Mum screamed so loudly it hurt my ears.
In hindsight I'm not sure I could have been more aware of potential hazards in front of me and I'm glad that I managed to wrestle my bike around him but it shook me up so much I nearly rode in front of a car at the next junction.
Lessons learned all round I think. Mum will hopefully keep better tabs on her kid, kid will hopefully be more wary after having the shit scared out of him and I have had a stark reminder of the need to constantly pay attention...it was very lucky that I saw him in time.
When/If I have a near miss in the future I'm going to get off the bike and make sure I'm calm before riding off because you can't ride safely when you're shocked.