It is indeed unusual now. Generally drivers are so damn embarrassed that they nearly killed someone that it turns into anger directed at the person who was nearly killed.
Gotta tell ya' though; the only time I ever got doored (by a guy in a Mercedes, no less), the driver was great. I was doing the usual "I'm okay, I'm okay..." and he was like, "no, you're not okay. Sit down." and we went from there.
Driver's like this are indeed rare and should stand as an example that not all drivers are belligerent assholes when it comes to cyclists.
It is indeed embarrassing to admit you weren't paying attention and almost killed someone. I've been doored and right-hooked many times (once even by a cop) and out of these dozen or so incidents the only driver that didn't either pretend it didn't happen and fled the scene, or started screaming and threatening me, barely injured me at all.
Despite the title, think this IA was at fault for the accident.
"Not even for reminding me that I am ultimately responsible for my own survival, a reminder I obviously needed."
I'm curious as to what "super dangerous" intersection is in downtown? Save for Burnside and Naito, pretty much all downtown streets are one way with light controlled or at least stop sign controlled intersections.
I think IA was stating that anyone riding a bike in traffic is "ultimately responsible for their own survival", not admitting to any alleged personal wrongdoing.
Gotta tell ya' though; the only time I ever got doored (by a guy in a Mercedes, no less), the driver was great. I was doing the usual "I'm okay, I'm okay..." and he was like, "no, you're not okay. Sit down." and we went from there.
It is indeed embarrassing to admit you weren't paying attention and almost killed someone. I've been doored and right-hooked many times (once even by a cop) and out of these dozen or so incidents the only driver that didn't either pretend it didn't happen and fled the scene, or started screaming and threatening me, barely injured me at all.
Good story.
"Not even for reminding me that I am ultimately responsible for my own survival, a reminder I obviously needed."
I'm curious as to what "super dangerous" intersection is in downtown? Save for Burnside and Naito, pretty much all downtown streets are one way with light controlled or at least stop sign controlled intersections.