Almost Got Hit Last Night – February 4, 2021

I had the green light; the driver had the red light. They didn’t come to a complete stop before cutting in front of me. It was hard to miss me based on what I was wearing. This is a major intersection known for accidents. It’s one I can’t avoid easily and this time of year due to weather, I wouldn’t try. I have to cross a number of major intersections riding.

Drivers need to watch out for other vehicles, people riding bicycles, and people walking. Same goes for other forms of transportation. The only place I can’t ride my bike on the sidewalk is the Central Business District downtown. I avoid that area as much as possible. I routinely come across people on the sidewalk paying attention to phones or tablets and ignoring what’s in front of them.

It’s worse at night as many wear dark clothing as well as not paying attention. I focus on what’s ahead and when crossing intersections, I look at however many directions people or vehicles can come from.

I was riding near a car and the driver was screaming on their phone. The window was rolled down and the driver was not paying attention to anything other than the person they were screaming at.