Thursday 5 February 2015

Crash Test Dummy Strikes Again.

I crashed last week. Twice!! I certainly wasn't alone, however. This was a whole month of many, many crashes, in truth, bicycle and automotive alike.  Each of these accidents had a different impact on the lives they touched. Some people were injured, some lost their lives, and a lucky few walked away unscathed.

The first time round
I was one of the lucky ones. Compared with some of the other mishaps I have suffered, this first one was a minor event, a slow speed tumble. But the other day, as I was riding near Science World, I noticed that the traffic lights were out all over the place. And a few blocks later, I heard a woman saying "OMG that was the scariest thing I have ever seen! That guy is so lucky to be alive." Just a little further on, I saw the accident she was talking about, and it dawned on me precicely why the power was out all over the neighbourhood.


It happened just east of the Georgia Viaduct, and for miles around, the traffic had descended into near chaos.


It was Saturday afternoon, and I had spent a lot of time on the roads that day, riding first with the club, and then with a good friend. The traffic was pretty calm in the suburbs that day, but it had a real edge to it here within the city limits. I saw several drivers running red lights and taking risks like doing that dodgy, high speed lane change that people do to mayyyyyybe save themselves a few seconds before they get to the next stoplight. And of course, I witnessed tons of drivers speeding. As usual.  But you have to wonder just how fast you have to drive your minivan to take out two power poles and blow up the neighbouring transformers the way this guy did.


What a claim to fame. His fifteen minutes came at quite a price. There were probably a dozen fire engines in the neighbourhood, along with a number of ambulances several police cruisers, and of course, a few BC Hydro service vehicles, to boot.


He was stuck in his car, forbidden to move until those Hydro crews ensured that he wouldn't be fried in the aftermath of his mess.


And every so often he seemed to express regret, though who knows? Maybe he was sad to be missing his mates at the pub. And who knows how long it will be before he goes speeding along those very same city streets again, risking life and limb? It's a habit in this town, speeding, a habit we share with drivers across the globe.


How many people will paramedics have to scrape off the streets before we finally address the carnage on our roads? Or are those lives all expendable? How did we get to the place where ninety percent of the drivers on the road at any time are speeding, and nobody is talking about it, and yet cyclists are all tarred with the same brush, and branded criminals for treating a stop sign like a yield, even though the Idaho Stop Law has been effect for decades, and has reduced, not increased the number of accidents?

Cycling advocates argue that stop signs are designed to slow the flow of traffic, not to enforce right of way, and that in most instances they don't even do that.  And if we were to consider our streets rationally for even a moment, the truth is that speeding and distracted drivers kill over a million people every year. That's right. MILLIONS. Not hundreds, not thousands, not even hundreds of thousands. MillionsAccording to the World Health Organisationroad traffic injuries caused an estimated 1.24 million deaths worldwide in the year 2010, slightly down from 1.26 million in 2000. That is one person is killed every 25 seconds Millions of people die in traffic accidents every year, and yet motorists have a hate on for cyclists. What. The. Fuck. ?!?!

So yesterday, after checking out the accident in which one man's leadfoot managed to shut down electricity to thousands of people, I tried to make my way safely home. Now, even though I choose to ride a bike, rather than drive a car everywhere I go, I do hold a valid drivers license. So I happen to know for a fact that in an instance where a traffic light is out of commission, drivers are obliged to treat the intersection like an uncontrolled intersection. And that means that you are supposed to approach the intersection with caution, and you are supposed to yield to traffic which arrives at the intersection before you do, which turns most intersections into a four way stop. Nevertheless, I was nearly struck by two separate vehicles as I attempted to cross the street here:


Because in Vancouver, an uncontrolled intersection is actually an out of control intersection. Nobody stopped. Nobody yielded to traffic sitting and waiting on the cross street, and nobody cared when pedestrians or cyclists tried to make their way across, either. And surely the vast majority of drivers in those vehicles think of themselves as law-abiding citizens, despite the evidence to the contrary. Most drivers are otherwise good people, and yet the vast majority of them speed every day, every chance they get. And we let them get away with it, enforcing their beliefs that they aren't really doing anything wrong. But heaven forfuckingbid that I should take the lane on my bike rather than risk death - yes death!!- at the hands of a driver who carelessly opens their door without checking to see if I am there first.  Because who DARES to slow the modern motorist down for even a few seconds?

It's true, that we all take risks out on the roads. Drivers speed and use their mobile phones and engage in other questionable behaviour, and cyclists do dumb things, too. This Crash Test Dummy in particular. I took a break from writing this babblelog, and found myself keeping pace with traffic, riding down Granville St as together we descended the mile long hill travelling southbound. After twenty or so blocks on the downhill without encountering a red light, both the traffic and I were moving at a good clip - 73 km/hr according to Strava. I hit something irregular in the road, and my bike bounced. When I was finished bouncing and had finally skidded to a stop I couldn't move. Paralysed. I found myself watching helplessly as the traffic barrelled toward me down Granville St. It was in fact the scariest thing I have ever seen. My first thought? " Oh Fuck. Here we go again."


And my first question to the first responders was "How's my bike?" Pretty silly, right? But surely a Crash Test Dummy gets a little leeway when it comes to asking intelligent questions. And it's more than a little ironic that I was in the process of writing about the consequences of speeding when I suffered them personally. Most of my injuries are invisible to the nekkid eye. Cept this one:


The doctor said that I was very, very lucky. My peeps already knew that. He told me that I could have broken my neck. Then he said that two other people were admitted that evening with the same injury to their spinal cord, and 36 hours later the woman still couldn't move her hands. The man will be hospitalised for some time to come, too. But I could even walk. For the first little while I had to use these fancy ski poles, because as I made my way around the hospital I appeared to be more than a little drunk, all weak, wobbly, and off balance.


Mostly I just stayed in bed, though, contemplating my navel, and the contrary nature of life.


And that's the thing. It's human nature. We all take risks. We all make mistakes. And we don't generally go about our lives with the potential consequences of those risks foremost in our minds. But the rules of the road have to be designed with everybody's safety in mind, rather and we have to re-consider how we enforce those rules, because OMG too many people are dying. How is it that Isis kills a few people, and suddenly entire nations mobilise to stop them, but millions of people lose their lives on the roads every single year, and it's just business as usual? The consequences when a motorist speeds are a lot more significant than the consequences of a cyclist rolling through a stop sign, and yet we cyclists are the only ones branded scofflaws even though the majority of motorists are guilty of speeding every time they get behind the wheel. Every time a pedestrian is killed here in Vancouver, the police put out a bulletin telling people not to wear dark clothing, as if it were the pedestrian's fault, somehow, that the driver wasn't playing by the rules.  It's an enormous injustice, and it's time we did something about it.


Sigh... we really do have a long way to go. It definitely IS a war out there on the roads, and the casualties are enormous, but we absolutely do have the power to change all that. Let's begin with a dialogue, and see where that takes us. Everybody wants to arrive safely home from their journey, however long or short it might be, and whichever mode of transportation you choose, you have the right to safe passage. Let's re-think our transportation priorities, shall we? Change doesn't have to be painful, though the longer we put it off, the more challenging it is going to be.

44 comments:

  1. Oh no Ms. Babble this is terrible. Interesting the domino effect one person's bad driving has on many other people, some just inconvenienced (no power) others very seriously (in the hospital). Get well soon, best to you. P.S. I really like the very first photograph, that a new perspective of you. And there's something strangely interesting about the hamburgers floating over the wreck scene. One an external mechanical wreck, the other causes an internal medical wreck. Again, best to you, I sure hope you recover quick and are back to being 100% Babble again soon.

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    1. Lol!! I hadn't noticed the hamburgers - too busy gawking at the accident. :-/ Yes. The domino effect was felt throughout my life, too. And I am always an internal medical wreck with these crazy mutarded genes. But this is just too much.

      And thank you kindly. I still can't believe it.... XX




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    2. Maybe you should consider changing your on-line handle from Babble On to Calamity Jane :-)

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    3. Heyyyyyy... maybe you have a point there. Sod's law would be sure to prove me wrong. That handle might just be the ever elusive key to keeping the rubber side down.

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  2. Yikes, not again?!? Hope you feel better soon!!

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    2. Right??! And I didn't even do anything wrong, that's what gets me. It's just not fair. It was a crazy bump in the road. My bike flew...

      Well, I was going fast. And that was the whole point of this post.

      Meh. Back to the old healing board. Thanks for the well wishes. :) xo

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  3. ilPirata est Mort5 February 2015 at 11:15

    Here's to a quick recovery Babs!

    The frontal cortex of the brain is situated over a portion of the brain involved in emotional reation. This latter portion of the brain, when stimulated, can override the ability of the frontal cortex to process normal logic. Think "blind rage" or "seeing red". It is especially effective when a person senses that some injustice has been perpetrated againt them. Blastoff time.

    A well placed deep breath can work wonders to deflate our sense of being violated by some injustice. Spread the word.

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    1. Thanks. I did something to one of my ribs, so even that hurts. But you're right, it's true. Best remedy of all is the simplest thing.

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  4. Oh, shoot, Babs! Don't die! I won't tell you to be more careful riding, but y'know, just...don't die.

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    1. I wish I had actually made a mistake that I could fix, or learn from or something, but I didn't do anything wrong, and that's the scariest wipeout of all.

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  5. Hey Ms. Babble !!!

    Dang will you pleeazze take care of yourself! Your hot girlieness is in the public domain and as such belongs to all of us now! Don't scratch it, ding it, or break it. [A little patina here and there is ok though!].

    Weaponization - One day I will maintain a handy piece of rebar in a frame pump or something to keep the peace, cause heaven knows the local constabulary would not care of 2 wheelers live or die.

    How can you live in a place that calls Canada it's last name in January and still now have snow all over the place??
    It's frikkin the Fortress of Solitude all around me heeeya in NYC !! Tires (tyres) lose 20 lbs just going out the door. Not that I would even try mind you.

    Feel better soon !!!!


    vsk

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    1. Crazy, right? It was twelve degrees Canadian (that's 53 American) in the pouring rain this morning. The rain stopped at noon and it got even a little warmer. I am wearing a suit and gloves, and no overcoat outdoors this afternoon!

      The best weapon in this particular war is law enforcement. We need to elect people willing to take on the criminal behaviour we all seem to condone on the roads.

      And re: this public property? I am doing everything in my power to keep it in one piece!!

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  6. I meant to say NOT have snow all over the place. Old eyeballs!

    vsk

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  7. I'm glad you are OK.

    Did you hit a small bump or a hole/depression in the road?

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    1. Yes! It was a patch in the pavement which was all wonky. I didn't see it so much as feel it, but there was no time to react.

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  8. Il Pirata est Mort5 February 2015 at 12:24

    "If it feels like a broken rib..." Sometimes it won't show on x-ray so act accordingly. Wrapping the ribcage with a long ace bandage can provide some relief. Been there! Didn't laugh for 30 days. But count your blessings having crashed at that speed and still having your marbles to count.


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    1. Counting. I have angels, and they work overtime. Thank goodness. :)

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  9. bad boy of the north5 February 2015 at 12:55

    Babble on.....wishing you well for a speedy recovery.Glad you're still with us.

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    1. Thanks, doll. I am on a mission. Can't check out yet! :) xo xo

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  10. Babble!!
    My brother (also a bike rider) advised me: “Do NOT have any personal interaction with concrete.” (Read: bike crashes) He continued: “It (the concrete) doesn’t even know that you are there. And, doesn’t care.” Good advice!! Babble, you’re having entirely TOO MUCH personal interaction with concrete! Anyhow, I was greatly appreciating your Leopard motif undies (I’m old, but not dead)…then noticed your “road raspberry”!! Geez, Babble. STOP CRASHING! As has been pointed out - take better care of yourself…you belong to us!

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    1. Your brother is wise, and I am doing absolutely everything in my power to heed his good advice.

      Yours. Truly!
      babble on xo xo

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    1. Will do! Thank you, Dale. I am a healer, y'know, and a good one at that. Because practice makes perfect.
      :) xo xo

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  12. Nice undies :)
    Take it easy Babbs.
    Glad you're OK and still Babbling.
    Keep your mounts safe and your dismounts planned !

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    1. Lol!! Actually, they are quite old, those knickers, and my socks were, too, because who wants to sweat proplerly in their best gear? And of course Sods law kicked into action again, too. At least three of the several doctors who attended to me in the ER were total hotties, and there I was in old and worn underwear, wishing I were wearing something more appealing...

      Thank you kindly, Harry. I am happy to be here babbling on again, too, and delighted that you are here reading along. :) xo

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  13. Thinking of you! Do get well soon, Ms. Babbles.

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  15. Babs. So sorry to hear. Heal quickly. Everyone at BSNY misses you. And BTW, nice panties.

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    2. Thank you! I love that place... feels like family over there.
      And those knickers are so old and worn they are almost see through in places, but they feel great cause that makes em mighty soft. Good thing I was wearing them that day! If those leggings had a chamois, I would have gone commando. Fortunately I chose the leggings I did, though, cause they are my thickest pair, with a fleece lining, and I expect the extra layers of material saved my arse from a much deeper case of road rash. Lucky by any measure, that. :D

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  16. As much as I appreciate selfies of your lovely ass, stop ripping skin off of it. Drink some herbal tea. Smoke some herbal remedy. Imbibe some whiskey. You are starting to worry me. Don't make me come up there.

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    1. Do they make herbal whiskey? I would be willing to give that a shot. And yes, sir. Right away sir. I have every intention of keeping all of my skin from here on in.

      Oh!! I happen have a lovely little tiny one-shot bottle of salted caramel vodka. That might be just what the doctor ordered!! xo xo

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  17. bad boy of the north8 February 2015 at 19:27

    herbal whiskey....hmmm.you might be onto something there.

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  18. Charlie Brown would say "good grief!" but back to topic. Next time when you go downhill, stretch your arms, wave with your hands like you want to fly and wear some more optimistic stuff like "look mum no hands!" please ;-D

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    1. Lol!! But I really do want to fly... why do you think I like to ride so fast?

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    2. I :-Definitely know what you mean! But i never ever reached more then 70km/h on my upright - the top speed thrilled me more on a semi-low recumbent bicycle. To fly less then 14inches over the ground, that was wicked :-)))

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  19. Best wishes for your speedy recovery!

    Mark

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  20. Babs,

    Last year the Mayor of New York City just made it a misdemeanor to hit or kill a pedestrian or a cyclist who has the right of way.

    This week after a teenage girl in a crosswalk had her leg crushed by a Transit Authority bus.

    Transport Workers Union Local 100 vice president JP Patafio. said “It’s an accident. It’s not a crime. The law exempts city workers. We are city workers.”

    The bus driver was later ticketed and the union threatened a job action where buses would stop and wait for the intersection to be totally clear of all pedestrians no matter how badly it affected traffic or schedules. This rarely happens.

    A better reaction would have been to make a commitment to better safety training for drivers. Their job is difficult and thankless. They deserve to be regarded as professionals and trained as such.

    Oh, and, please take better care of those great legs.

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  21. I must say you have shown the way to get out of these crashes to many people. Only a few show the type of resilience you have shown. One of my friends had a similar crash caused by a drunk driver. Though he got a good compensation through his Los Angeles DUI lawyer but still could never physically from the trauma.

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