It’s been a few weeks since I last posted and I owe you an explanation. I’ve been spending some time on another “project,” one that, if successful, will have a much more widespread (albeit weak and indirect) impact on environmentalism in China than this simple little blog. In any case, I’ll let you know if it comes to fruition.
On to today’s post. I experienced my first bike accident in Beijing today. Please don’t weep or gnash your teeth in sorrow. With the exception of a slightly bruised scrotum, I’m fine and nobody else got hurt either.
This morning, I was cycling to the neighborhood vegetable market along an alleyway that I travel every day when the collision occured. Here’s a diagram I drew depicting what happened:
The diagram shows a T-intersection. I was traveling in the up direction, preparing to make a left at the T.  Here’s a picture of a typical transport tricycle, ubiquitous in Beijing:
And here’s a picture of the alley and intersection:
We pretty much ran into each other head-on. Luckily, it was low-speed. I slipped off my seat but did not fall down, and the other guy, having the advantage of a heavier vehicle, barely flinched. I was really worried that my front wheel would be warped because it collided directly with some part of the tricycle, but the wheel seems OK. My handlebars were twisted out of alignment with the front wheel (I was able to fix that in 2 seconds) and my basket is now perched more precariously than ever. We said to each other “things look OK” and then went on our separate ways.
Was it Karma? Should I not have rang the bell so close to the pedestrian, causing him to shit a brick? Should I have patiently waited for the space between the pedestrians to open wider? I was puzzled by what happened because I’m usually a really careful and defensive cyclist. But I think it was the confluence of the following conditions and events that ultimately overwhelmed my caution and skill:
1) I was too intently singing “I Want it That Way”.
2) I was really excited about buying bean sprouts.
3) I was overconfident because I travel that alley nearly every day, so I was probably going a little faster than I should have under the circumstances. It was lunch time so there were more pedestrians than usual.
4) I lost a split second when I turned to apologize to the guy I scared with my bell, which caused me to continue on a trajectory to the left instead of edging to the right when approaching the intersection.
5) The parked cars blocked my view of the left side of the perpendicular street.
6) Itchy nuts.
Lessons learned: Warn pedestrians further in advance. Approach turns more slowly. Wear a cup.
October 14, 2010 at 00:47
Hi! I am a mutual friend of Traci Brown (and by default Kevin Hon’s)and I was talking to her about our newest son. He is actually an exchange student from Xian, China. Traci was telling me about your web site and I have to say it is quite interesting. But… I was wondering if I could ask you for a huge favor. Could you possibly recommend creditable web sites to become more familiar with the actual current condition in China. Our new son, Simon, is very animated when he describes his home but one thing that breaks my heart is how he ALWAYS mentions the pollution and how out of control it seems. I gotta tell you that between Simon some stories Traci has recently told me and now you, y’all have my undivided attention. Thank you so much, and seeing your blog I sure hope you are talking to publishers.
Take care,
Rachel
PS: Do me a favor don’t listen to the Black Eye Peas while driving you might just kill yourself! => Thanks again!!!