KevinFH
New Member
OK, so yesterday I am riding to work heading west on SR70 west of I-75 in Bradenton. Often there is backed up traffic at the red light at Caruso Rd; there was yesterday. It is three lanes each direction with a right and left turn lane at the intersection. With the intersection about 250 yards ahead I saw the traffic still moving ahead of me; I was in the right lane. The center and left lane came to a stop. The speed limit is 50, I probably wasn't going over 35 and slowing with the traffic. But, on the right side about 200 yards before the intersection there is an entrance to a technical college on the right side. For people coming from the west, there is a lane in which they can pull over and wait to cross the west bound traffic. Two large trucks stopped before the tech school entrance to be courteous to the people trying to cross into the tech school. As I am about 50 feet from the front of the stopped truck, a little white car pulls across into my lane. I can see that I am going to broad side him based on my estimate of how fast I can (can't) stop. I reacted as quickly as possible and squeezed the brake as hard as possible. I can remember if I pressed on the brake pedal. I am a little nervous about unified braking making me lazy. I purposely practice using the pedal to make it habit. Lazy habits are easy to start and hard to break. I don't want to depend on a it since it (UBS) does not, as far as I understand it, apply full power to the rear. Maybe it does in an anti-lock situation. In any case, I don't remember feeling the anti-lock or if I pressed the pedal, it all happened so fast. But, this is what happened: I slowed as fast as possible to the best of my ability. The only way to slow faster would have been a stoppie. My reaction must have been quick. When I looked into the drivers face he was still on the left side of me, nose of his car almost in front of me, probably 25 feet ahead, and I am going 30 mph (guess). His eyes were wide and his mouth agape. I think he had just darted out from in front of the trucks, not seeing me and ASSUMING the lane was clear. His car passed in front of me and my front tire just barely kissed his rear bumper. I heard the sound of my bike hitting his car. I don't remember feeling it. I did not come to a complete stop. My hand relaxed and I rolled at 5-10mph a little shocked.
So, I guess I had an accident. The white car disappeared; I wasn't watching. I guess I could have cursed at him, but I'll save that for the bitch behind me that got on her horn and gave me the finger for not accelerating to the red light today.
So, I guess I had an accident. The white car disappeared; I wasn't watching. I guess I could have cursed at him, but I'll save that for the bitch behind me that got on her horn and gave me the finger for not accelerating to the red light today.
