Tonight I was almost hit by a distracted driver. I don’t know what caused the distraction and it really doesn’t matter. I was at a light and it turned green so I proceeded into the intersection when this guy almost hit me. First, my bike has reflectors, next I was wearing one of those nasty lime yellow or green vests with several reflective stripes. I also had a light on the front. He got mad at me and started bad mouthing me. I had the right of way. If he had focused on driving instead of whatever he was focused on, he couldn’t have missed me.
With this light, I have plenty of near misses even when the crossing light is clearly visible. A month or so ago, a Wichita Public Works truck almost hit me as he cared more about turning than looking to see if he should slow down. Had I been as fast as a friend, I would have plowed into his back tire. He took the turn at speed which means he didn’t bother to slow down.
I don’t care if you are texting, listening to the radio, talking on the cell phone, arguing with a passenger, letting Fifi or Fido sit in tour lap while driving or letting the pet run around near your feet, none of these things is worth what can happen.
Using Fifi/Fido as an example, they block a fair amount of your view in your lap. Not to mention what happens to them if your airbag deploys due to a wreck. Pretty sure your pet can’t survive the rapid deployment of the airbag. In this case, I see the driver being mad at the person they blame for causing the accident when it was the driver’s fault because they were distracted.
Seen too many cases where a driver is listening to a video on their phone while simultaneously arguing with a spouse and/or child(ren) almost have a wreck. Is it worth their lives or the lives of innocent bystanders because you wanted to listen your video.
Ome time I was at a stop light and this woman was screaming into her phone arguing with someone. The light turned green and she sped off still yelling at the person on the phone.
When I ride my bike and am crossing an intersection, I ignore any calls until it is safe to do so. If it’s the annoying ringtone, I may check for a message later. For my friends’ distinctive ringtones, I will call them back as soon as it’s safe to do so.
Ups Downs Family History 
Wow be careful out there on your bike; people are crazy!
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I always pray before riding my bike anywhere. I As I am riding, I add prayers for those who are walking, riding bikes, or driving vehicles where they aren’t paying attention as they are going from point A to point B.
My most dangerous locations are when I am crossing intersections. For the most part, I ride the sidewalks as the only place I can’t ride the sidewalks is the Central Business District. I rarely go to that part of town on my bike.
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That’s a good habit to pray before you bike
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After having too many close calls early on, it’s the first thing I do before I go anywhere. My niece was killed by a hit-and-run driver who was never caught. That was almost 2 decades ago. I pray for the unknown driver’s soul as I think that’s more important in the long-run than them getting caught.
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That’s so sad! Horrible to hear that
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I did the same thing when I was driving before my car gave out. Wichita isn’t the worst city when it comes to drivers as New Orleans easily makes Wichita look like better drivers by a huge factor.
I also do the same thing when I am riding with someone. I know the people I ride with are good drivers, but it’s the other drivers who are too busy with other distractions that leads me to pray. It’s helped my prayer life as I find myself praying more than I used to. With the pandemic going on, I pray for those who have it as well as those at risk for getting it.
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You’re a man of prayer
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