The Chainlink

Simulated Human Flight

For the third time in my life, I got doored on Friday. It’s not something you get used to, and I’m sorry to report it’s still terrifying. I was on the left edge of the bike lane (out of the door zone) southbound on Milwaukee Avenue. A long line of traffic was stopped on Milwaukee for the light at Ashland. The rear passenger door from a car in the line of stopped traffic flew open. Fully closed to fully open occurred in the amount of time it took me to cover the distance from the rear bumper to the rear passenger door, which is to say, it happened pretty fast.


I’m OK, and I rode yesterday, albeit with a new front wheel. Nothing’s broken, but I am sore. I think those three years of circus arts training at the Actor’s Gymnasium finally paid off, but I do wish I had been wearing hockey gloves and elbow pads in addition to my shorts and a t-shirt.


So what’s the point? 


As the weather gets nicer, there are more cars, more bikes, more pedestrians, and consequently, more threats. Everyone needs to remain vigilant, even for (and maybe especially for) low probability events. Even when we have the right of way, we are each the last best chance of avoiding an accident.


Be careful. 

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Permalink Reply by Craig S. on April 4, 2010 at 12:11pm
Wow, sorry to hear.

This is exactly why I trust no one when I'm on a bike, I don't care if I've met their eyes, I trust no one. I've made it habit to constantly scan through every window of every parked car I'm riding by, as well as watching cabs and buses and other drivers. It takes practice and it's necessary because I also want to notice all the pretty women that suddenly appear once the temps warm up! Brings a smile.
Permalink Reply by Joe TV on April 4, 2010 at 12:30pm
Way to get back on the bike. Seems like getting back in the saddle ASAP after a crash is the best way to prevent any kind of lasting traumatic fear response. I have no citations except that I heard it on NPR. They said that you have about 30 minute window before the brain starts changing its wiring. Interesting, huh?

To sum up - You crashed? Get back on the bike (if you can).

(BTW - the story was not about bike crashes in particular, but rather generally traumatic events.)
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on April 4, 2010 at 12:33pm
Kevin, I really hope you got insurance information from the driver. Interesting that someone felt the need to get out of a car so quickly in stopped traffic. Sounds like child safety locks should be mandatory and locked at all times on all doors aside from the driver's door.

Heal up quickly.
Permalink Reply by D on April 4, 2010 at 1:45pm
Not a biggie, but I ended up smashing my elbow into a right-hook car on Thursday on Lincoln Ave. I was in the bike line. Guy passed me, then slowed up, I started to pass on the right (dumb, in retrospect) and then he suddenly cuts right to "front in" to a parallel park space. He signaled, but only after he began to cut. I was pinned and ended up putting my elbow into his door while yelling. He stopped and I was able to ride away.

No big deal, didn't come off the bike - but you're absolutely right that the spring seems to bring on more danger.

Lots more craziness on the lake path, for instance.
Permalink Reply by buddaa38 on April 4, 2010 at 2:50pm
Hey Kevin,
I'm very glad to hear that your not seriously hear. I agree with Tank-Riding Ryan about the insurance.

I've dedicate this Friday 9th. North~Side Critical Mass ride to you. "We The Bikes" will celebrate this joyous commemoration of spectacular events, Were we come as a whole to mass the streets of Chicago! As the weather starts to warm up, Know do more cars with opening doors. So let us Parade these streets to remind those people that WE ARE ARE OUT HERE!
Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on April 4, 2010 at 2:58pm
This is a great tip. Sorry it came at the price of bumps and bruises, but often these lessons come at a much higher price and it's hard to discuss them without getting dragged down into "blaming the victim" land.
I'd like to see a feature on here where once a week we identify one specific tip that could save lives, and since it takes time to mentally rehearse and internalize a new habit, really just focus on that one piece until the next one. This one, If I took the message away correctly, is "remember that you can get doored from the passenger side too."
Permalink Reply by Molly on April 4, 2010 at 8:09pm
glad to hear you are ok. You made me think...thank you. I am always worried about the cab doors, but not a normal car's back door. wow.
Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on April 4, 2010 at 10:22pm
I got pretty decent air, but under the circumstances, and a lack of familiarity with the landing area, I decided to go with something I could throw in my sleep- kind of a Superman, swan dive with a tuck and roll on impact, all the while screaming like a little girl. I'm afraid my style points might have suffered, but a concerned pedestrian (east german no doubt) confirmed one full inversion.

Clark said:
Congratulations for getting a new wheel and riding the very next day. So that we can fully appreciate the value of that circus arts training, what simulated flight pattern did your body take?

• Barrel Roll?
• Wing-over?
• Nose dive?

Permalink Reply by Ian on April 4, 2010 at 10:41pm
Kevin,

We are all glad you're ok, but the question I have to ask is: are you gonna start wearing a helmet? You'll still look cool, and it may offer more protection than your shorts and T-shirt.
Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on April 5, 2010 at 12:02am
It's not a "helmet debate" thread. As mentioned, I would have benefited most from hockey gloves and elbow pads.

Ian said:
Kevin,

We are all glad you're ok, but the question I have to ask is: are you gonna start wearing a helmet? You'll still look cool, and it may offer more protection than your shorts and T-shirt.
Permalink Reply by Michael Perz on April 5, 2010 at 12:09am
Man, that sucks. I got doored from the left earlier this year on that same stretch of Milwaukee, albeit heading north just before Damen. A cabbie had the brilliant idea of letting his passengers out in the middle of the road. I wasn't hurt save for a mangled upper lip, bloody nose and some nasty welts on my thighs from hitting the bars. What made it truly suck is that the cab was gone by the time I managed to regain my bearing.

Joe TV is 100% correct. If you've suffered no significant injury you should get back to riding as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more irrational fear you'll subject yourself to. Irrational fear is your worst enemy.
Permalink Reply by Duppie on April 5, 2010 at 10:34am
I'm glad to hear that you didn't hurt your funny-bone. It appears to be well-functioning ;)

Kevin Conway said:
I got pretty decent air, but under the circumstances, and a lack of familiarity with the landing area, I decided to go with something I could throw in my sleep- kind of a Superman, swan dive with a tuck and roll on impact, all the while screaming like a little girl. I'm afraid my style points might have suffered, but a concerned pedestrian (east german no doubt) confirmed one full inversion.

Clark said:
Congratulations for getting a new wheel and riding the very next day. So that we can fully appreciate the value of that circus arts training, what simulated flight pattern did your body take?

• Barrel Roll?
• Wing-over?
• Nose dive?

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