[Forgiven_Sinner]

Ouch. I commute to work, 9 miles one way. I had three bike accidents last year.

1. I was crossing a side street and got hit by a car starting to pull out. I went onto his hood. No injuries, one doughnuted wheel.

2. I was headed north on a busy street. Got hit in the elbow by a pick up's mirror which was going 10-20 mph faster than me. I stayed on my bike (!) and pulled over to the side. The guy stopped and called the police (!) and I got an orange sized bump on my elbow and a nice settlement. Scratch another wheel, which croaked when I bumped the curb.

3. I was accelerating when a cat ran along side me and then crossed in front of me. I hit it, swerved into a parked van, bounced off, and cracked my head on the pavement. I got a set of stitches on my head (I had a helmet, which saved my life) and my leg.

I now only commute to work and avoid going home--I take the bus home, with my bike. All the accidents were on the way home.

It's dangerous out there.

[olivia3boys]

Wow--I just remembered I had no helmet on when I had my accident in 1983, which were sort of the pre-helmet days. I guess I'm pretty lucky to be alive too, considering.

[biblewonk]

No mishaps in 3 years on my 3.5 mile commute to and from work. I keep off of busy streets and use side walks and back roads. My son just got knocked off his bike last week though. I warned him about blind corners while biking on sidewalks. I bet he will remember now.

[ironman]

Biking is a great way to get to work if you have a safe route. I've commuted to work on bike for 15 years, about 7 months out of the year. Current round trip is about 25 miles. I used to have a 40 mile round trip. When I moved last year I made sure I had a safe route to my office. Sure my office could move, but I've been working in the same place for 10 years. I've only had one bad accident and I ride 5,000 - 7,000 miles a year. Car cut in front of me and I slammed into the passanger door. 7 broken ribs. And I never ever ride with out a helmet. If you ride a lot you will go down. I went down earlier this year - slipped out on some mud. Just some mile road rash.