Bike (and get flattened) to Work Week
Yes, yes, it's bike to work week and I've already done my best to get killed. At a lane merge, I had the right of way (legally, not physically) and made eye contact with the old woman (uh-oh) driving the car. She was at a stop at the time, so I figured all was fine; she saw me in the BIKE LANE and made eye contact. Right as I get along side her she starts accelerating, causing me to slam on my brakes and causing the guy on his bike behind me to hit my back tire. He wipes out, and the lady finally hits her brakes. I squirrel off to the side, unscathed. The guy who wiped out was OK too, though he rightfully unleashed a flurry of profanity at the old lady.
Realize that here in Boulder, bikes are everywhere. Bike lanes are on most major streets and unless you're from out of town, they are an expected form of traffic. Since being "healthy and environmentally sound" by riding my bike, I've gotten tapped by cars two times, both not my fault, and nearly hit countless times.
I've also had a head on collision on the bike path in the dark when my headlights burnt out, but that was only 50% my fault as the other guy had no lights either and was going way faster. I escaped from that crash unhurt but the other guy was sort of messed up.
For the record, biking is how I get to work 90% of the time anyhow, so bike to work week is nothing special.
