Don’t say it never happens: One woman’s story of a ‘hit-and-ride’
“I literally was just speechless with my jaw dropped as he rode away.”
— Elisabeth Bowers
Last week I got an email from Portland resident Elisabeth Bowers. She was involved in a hit-and-run on and wanted me to know about it. That part isn’t strange. I get a fair amount of emails like that every month. What was different about Elisabeth’s situation is that she was in a car and the person who hit her was on a bike. She called it a “hit-and-ride”.
Here’s her story:
“On June 11th, I was involved in a hit and run at the corner of NE 21st and NE Multnomah… or should I say a hit and ride? A bicyclist rear ended my Subaru Outback (while weaving through traffic at top speed) and before I knew what was going on… he came up to my window and said, “My fault — you had come to a complete stop,” and then he rode off.
He failed to mention the damage he had done to my car. He didn’t have a license plate and I literally was just speechless with my jaw dropped as he rode away. I didn’t realize that there was damage until I arrived home. I guess I was happy he wasn’t seriously injured or anything. However, this cyclist should have offered to pay to get these panels replaced on my car or at least given me contact information. I’m a bike commuter too — and it’s made me rethink how I ride. Cars and cyclists need to work together — both are vehicles — even if one is more environmentally friendly.”
And here’s the photo of her Subaru…
Thanks for sharing your story Elisabeth.
Categories: Road Bike Tags: 'hitandride', 99999999999, Bicyclist, Bike Commuter, Bikeportland, Bowers, Cars, Cyclists, Don't, Elisabeth, Email, Front Page, happens, License Plate, Math, Multnomah, never, Photo, Portland Resident, Protocol, story, Subaru, Subaru Outback, Top Speed, Woman, Woman's
Riding for Fun!
Biking is not just about exercise, but the fun of the feel of the road. I do not know of a better way to rule your stress, find happiness and health, and do it with the exhilaration of speed. It is a blast! That being said, so few people are on the road, today. There seems to be a lack of motivation, and I want to encourage you to try it again.
Biking is Not Just for Kids
Many adults used to bike, and biked a lot. It was the mode of transportation for them, as teenagers, and once they got into the car, it was over. I am sad when I see this occur, because, it is needful in our society, that this form of transport sticks. The motivation to get from point A to point B will be a great way to start on your biking lifestyle, but more so, it is really a fun way to get around.
For starters, you are outside, and you are not relying on any motors, gas or other nosy appendages. The run of the tires on the road, and the wind on your arms, really is something. The sun is on your back, and you are wearing your muscles into a pattern of tension and release on a repeating mode that really creates a great amount of fitness. The exercise is there, especially if you run into some formidable hills, but, that is just part of the fun.
And, you are getting around, at your pace. Many people think they have to be just as fast as a car, but that is not always the priority. True, on a busy commute, you may be able to beat the cars around you in traffic, but, more so, the pace is yours. If you are thinking this sounds crazy, and that you will never get to work on time, I want you to think about it. If you could take a bus part of your way to work, how much joy would that bring to your life? It is immeasurable, and if you have the opportunity to try it, I invite you to start thinking differently, and give your life a new boost ahead!
Connect with your environment, your community, and find bike riding fun again.
Categories: Riding Basics Tags: Adults, Appendages, Cars, Exercise, Exhilaration, Fitness, Fun, Happiness, Lack Of Motivation, Lifestyle, Mode Of Transportation, Muscles, Nbsp, Pace, Priority, Starters, Stress, Teenagers, Tension, Tires
Planet Bike Blinky “3″ 3-Led Rear Bicycle Light
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