It was a typical Saturday afternoon, on a pedestrian and bike road that was buzzing with activity. Cyclists whizzed down the cycling path, while pedestrians hurriedly walked on their side of the pathway. Midst the chaos, I found myself riding my road bike at an estimated speed of 30-35km/h, fully immersed in the joy of the moment. Little did I know that within seconds, my life would be hanging in the balance, all because of a reckless driver.
A Near Miss: A Lesson Learned.
As I rode down the road, I suddenly noticed a car approaching. Assuming the driver would stop, I continued my course. However, to my horror, the driver showed no sign of slowing down. Panic surged through me, but instinct and adrenaline took over, empowering me to take quick action. With my senses on high alert, I pressed both brakes, skilfully controlling my bike to avoid a devastating collision.
The Split-Second Decision.
Time seemed to stand still as I estimated the distance between us, it must have been around 15 to 20 meters, far too close for comfort considering the speed at the time. My heart pounded, and my mind raced, contemplating the worst-case scenario. Yet, in that moment of fear and uncertainty, I made the split-second decision that would save my life: I stopped my rear wheel with all my might and gently applied pressure to the front wheel, allowing me to swerve behind the car unharmed.
A Chance for Reflection
The driver’s apologetic voice faintly drifted to my ears as she saw me struggling for my life on the bike, and during the worst possible moment of my life, I hear “förlåt, förlåt, förlåt!” she cried out and pleaded apologetically with remorse. But her remorse did not excuse her careless actions. Still, As I caught my breath and steadied my nerves, I looked back to see if she would stop. I was left baffled with confusion; she did not stop to at least check if I was OK. I did not manage to see her face for me to determine if she understood the gravity of the situation and what she had done because she fled the scene with the disgraceful shame that any driver should feel if caught driving like that with negligence. By grace, Thankfully, I escaped unscathed, but the incident left a lasting impact on me.
This was a moment of true reflection!
“you are always one choice away from a totally different life” unknown
Embracing Responsibility and Awareness
In the aftermath of this heart-stopping encounter, I am reminded of the fragility of life and the importance of road ethics. As cyclists, we are vulnerable road users, and we must always remain hyper-aware of our surroundings. Every one of us must embrace the responsibility of keeping ourselves and others safe while pursuing our passions. We Have the responsibility of following the rules, but we cannot assume that everyone on the road has the same attitude regarding this subject matter.
As much as Cyclists need to be vigilant and adhere to the rules of the road, motorists do have the same obligation! We do not own the road, therefore; no one should claim priority over the other.
An extract from the swedish driving theory book (korkortonline.se) A lesson on road safety: Divers and Cyclists, Here are a few commonsense rules to exercise and keep in mind regarding exiting!
The exit rule!
“The exit rule” (for motorists) means that you must give way when exiting:
- A car park (both from the parking space and the parking area itself).
- A property (house or similar).
- A gas filling station
- A pedestrian street, home zone, bicycle street, hard shoulder, or off-road area.
- A walk path or bicycle path that you are about to cross.
Mindfulness
This heart stopping encounter was an eye-opener, and I share my experience to remind everyone, cyclists and drivers alike, to exercise caution and empathy on the road. For me, This was a lesson as well as a reminder that we cannot assume that others know the rules; instead, we must lead by example, making well-informed decisions while prioritizing safety. Let us not wait for a close call to remind us of the importance of vigilance and mindfulness.
In Conclusion:
This day was a day that could have changed my life forever. A moment of inattentiveness from the driver and a slight misjudgment on my part nearly resulted in a disaster. But through divine intervention and quick thinking, I believe God allowed me to narrowly avoid a catastrophe. Mine is a tale of Grace and This incident serves as a stark reminder of how fragile life is. Therefore, I cannot stress enough the significance of maintaining road ethics.
I hope that this story resonates with all who read it, leaving a lasting impression of the critical need for safety and awareness on the road. Whether we are seasoned cyclists or novice riders, each journey holds the potential for unforeseen challenges. Let us come together as a community, prioritizing safety above all else, so that we may continue to enjoy the thrill of cycling while minimizing the risk of injury to ourselves and others.
Stay safe, ride responsibly, and let us never forget the lessons learned from moments like these. Together, we can create a road culture that fosters respect, understanding, and compassion for all those who share the road.
Thank you for your time and if this resonated with you, please engage in the comments about your personal close encounter while out on the road or if something stood out for you in this article.
leave your questions in the comments or dm me aubrey@allthings-biking.com
Until next time, have a good one.
Aubrey Boqwana