Is the bike lane not sacred anymore?

Asking myself this very question as the paramedics lifted me up on to the stretcher. It seems that cars and I have a very complicated relationship. Well, there really isn't much of complication when laying bloody, disoriented, and adrenaline rushed on the pavement.
The picture speaks for itself.

"It could have been worse" seemed to to be the phrase of the day as I made my way from the pavement, ambulance, and emergency room. Laying covered in abrasions and my head still intact made me realize just how lucky I just was. In less then a year I've been involved in a "door" accident and now a side swipe collusion with a Benz. This must be a calling from the helmet gods to get my act together and protect my precious noggin.

For those of you that don't know the full story, on my way to the good 'ol cookie factory Tuesday morning a valet driver in a Mercedes Benz
(decided that right turn signals weren't very vital to other's who share the road)
took a right into the very bike lane I was rolling straight on and next thing you know, SLAM!

If anything the whole production was more bark then bite seeing as how I did more damage to the Benz then it did to me. Must thank the Canteras for such strong thick bones! I hopped away with a pretty banged up body and a temporary scare of the roads.


I will say, the police officer that was handling my report was more than attentive in dealing & reporting the whole accident. Plus, he also mentioned how not wearing a helmet was reportedly going to be against the law soon? Does anyone have any insight on this or was he trying to scare the trick or treater from not taking unwrapped candy from strangers?

Look, Drivers! You pack more steel then my 160 body and frame provide. Signal, be aware of you're surroundings. Then I won't have to deal with going threw two insurance companies and police stations for Christ sake.

My father, who was a dedicated cyclist (as you can tell by his rad shirt below) that is until the last run in he had with a car left him for "dead" in a ditch after a horrible hit and run.
Knowing first hand how dangerous it is for cyclist he called me as soon as he heard about my run in with vehicle. His message was as follows,
"I really wish you would stop biking Jen, it's too scary out there for you and I don't want anything to happen."

Life without my bicycle would not be a life worth living, I'd rather take the chance and die on something I love then spend the rest of it missing out on that feeling of flying, of freedom. That's the risk we take daily, every second we spend pedaling. I wouldn't give that up for anything. No big bad Benz can scare me of the streets I ride.

Now to my original post some days back before car's were involved...

Alley Cat Double Down!

(Thanks a ton Chris for the photos and video!)

Prostitute cats, shot gunning watermelon flavored slurpees, Spelling tar and pit in east side playgrounds, dumping sweaty heads into buckets of water and shampoo causing temporary blindness, to pulling monopoly like cash from shirtless biking boys pants.
The photo's and videos are up and running and doing races such as this one is always a blast for those participating and volunteering.
This was our route...



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These are , our tails.