08-20-2020, 06:36 AM
On my commute today (which is really more of a short ride than it is an actual commute), I was cut off by a guy in a red Cadillac who was talking on his phone. We both were stopped at a stoplight, he in the left lane and me a few cars back, but in the right line waiting to turn right. I was pretty irritated at his lack of attention to driving and was sort of glaring at him from a distance; not that he noticed since he was still on his call.
That's when I felt the bump from being struck from the rear by a young girl in a Kia Soul. Apparently, she was on her way to or from her physical therapist and was doing some stretches at the stoplight and didn't realize that she was rolling forward. The bump was about as forceful as when the CB1100 gets pushed of its center stand. No damage to the bike that I noticed and none to her car and no injuries and I remained upright throughout. She was very upset and apologetic and she reminded me of my daughter. She looked so panicked that I felt my job at that point was to calm her down. I told her that I was fine, explained that we should exchange information in case some damage shows up later, and told her that there was no need to contact the police or her insurance company at this time (that last piece of advice may not be valid in other states or in more serious accidents). The bike seems fine, but I'm having it in for an oil change and whatever service is slated for 36,000 miles so I'll have them look it over.
I find irony in the fact that, had I not been distracted by the guy on the phone, I would have seen the girl doing her in-car stretches and pulled forward out of harm's way. If the guy with the Cadillac had been more attentive, he would not have cut me off. If I had been more attentive, I'd have been watching my mirrors instead of the guy in the Cadillac. If the girl in the Kia had been more attentive, she'd have not allowed her car to roll forward into my bike.
If any good came of this incident, it would be that I believe that 2 of the 3 people that contributed have learned lessons:
Kia Girl: Pay attention to your surroundings, even when stopped at a stoplight.
CB1100 Guy: Lesson #1 - Pay attention. Lesson #2 - Don't let the idiots out there make you forget Lesson #1.
That's when I felt the bump from being struck from the rear by a young girl in a Kia Soul. Apparently, she was on her way to or from her physical therapist and was doing some stretches at the stoplight and didn't realize that she was rolling forward. The bump was about as forceful as when the CB1100 gets pushed of its center stand. No damage to the bike that I noticed and none to her car and no injuries and I remained upright throughout. She was very upset and apologetic and she reminded me of my daughter. She looked so panicked that I felt my job at that point was to calm her down. I told her that I was fine, explained that we should exchange information in case some damage shows up later, and told her that there was no need to contact the police or her insurance company at this time (that last piece of advice may not be valid in other states or in more serious accidents). The bike seems fine, but I'm having it in for an oil change and whatever service is slated for 36,000 miles so I'll have them look it over.
I find irony in the fact that, had I not been distracted by the guy on the phone, I would have seen the girl doing her in-car stretches and pulled forward out of harm's way. If the guy with the Cadillac had been more attentive, he would not have cut me off. If I had been more attentive, I'd have been watching my mirrors instead of the guy in the Cadillac. If the girl in the Kia had been more attentive, she'd have not allowed her car to roll forward into my bike.
If any good came of this incident, it would be that I believe that 2 of the 3 people that contributed have learned lessons:
Kia Girl: Pay attention to your surroundings, even when stopped at a stoplight.
CB1100 Guy: Lesson #1 - Pay attention. Lesson #2 - Don't let the idiots out there make you forget Lesson #1.