call 911 please if you havent already. even if they dont get the driver, we need the stats.
2012-09-21 02:35:20
12
Hit and run, Forbes and Shady 9/20
Hi all, long time lurker, first post, etc. Was biking eastbound on Forbes tonight at around 9 PM. Signaled a left to turn onto Shady, arrived at the intersection, and got swiped hard on my left by a vehicle moving at full speed. I went down, and the driver took off. Some Good Samaritans tried to get plates and a description, only partially successfully. I believe the first three digits were DCW, iirc. Caucasian driver, two passengers. I'm ok--I think my left arm got whacked pretty hard, and it's sore, but hopefully nothing broken.
I'm a pretty safe cyclist. I don't recall exactly, but I would have been taking the lane, especially since that's a sharrows road, and I had to make a left. Was illuminated front and rear plus rear reflector, yellow Ortliebs with reflective panels, wheel reflectors, and to top it off, a yellow sash with reflective strip. Wearing a helmet, but I don't think I hit my head.
The funny part is, this is the second time I've been hit by a car today. The first was a low-speed collision on N. Highland, around 3 PM. 4-way intersection, no stop in my direction, but stops entering N. Highland. Driver is stopped, pulls into my lane of travel without looking, hits me. Not a hit and run. Got away from that one without a scratch. Many thanks to the Pittsburgh bike cop who came over to help. Unfortunately didn't get her name or badge.
It's a little disconcerting, because I really am a super-cautious, smart cyclist. I know proper lane position, and I follow the rules of the road. Been urban cycling for about four years (Philly and here), and never been in an accident until today. Dumb luck, I guess? Or perhaps they're really out to get us now. In any case, the situation on the roads is completely out of hand, and I wouldn't mind publicizing the ridiculousness of my case more if it helps raise public awareness.
2012-09-21 02:29:06
Were the police called and did they show up and do a report?
2012-09-21 02:35:24
Clarification, the driver who hit me was also traveling eastbound. Witnesses say it was a light colored Toyota something. Will probably be calling the witnesses back to get the details right.
2012-09-21 02:36:01
Called 911, police showed up, filed a report.
2012-09-21 02:36:51
Glad to hear you're relatively okay and that you filed a report.
2012-09-21 02:40:36
Glad your ok. +1 for police report.
2012-09-21 02:41:06
Twice in a day. Seems like you should get to take next week off or something. Hang in there.
2012-09-21 03:19:19
Wow, that's a crazy story, glad it wasn't worse. So the car was also going east on Forbes and tried to pass you while you were making a left? Good thing you didn't end up under the wheels.
2012-09-21 05:15:13
Actually, maybe its better if you don't answer that - the standard advice is not to talk about the details of what happened until the legal aspects have been resolved. You might want to email bike-pgh and ask them to edit your posts (they can edit mine too if needed).
2012-09-21 05:16:03
I am very sorry to hear this and I am glad you are okay. If I hear anyone talking about a cyclist hit-and-run on that corner I will put them in touch with you. I work out at the JCC and there's a lot of pedestrian traffic from the gym on that corner -- I'll keep my ear to the ground.
2012-09-21 10:16:47
salty: I think it's alright to keep the details up for now, since there was no harm either way in the first accident, and there is nobody to sue in the second, unfortunately.
sarah_q: Thanks. I already have the contact info of some witnesses, but I guess more can't hurt if you happen to hear something.
2012-09-21 21:01:17