Bike Lanes

I am lucky enough to live in a city that has bike lanes. I am unlucky enough to live in a city with stupid people that don't know how to use a bike lane.

For all you stupidos out there, listen up:

A bike lane is essentially the same as a car lane. Bikes go very fast in them. It is our lane. Don't step into it, open your door into it, drive into it, or cross any of the lines without looking first. And also remember, bikes go up to 30 mph, and usually in cities are going about 15 mph. Doesn't seem like much, but the brakes are hand operated, and do not stop on a dime. Also, there is no metal cage protecting a biker. If you hit us, we will fall and get hurt. And if we can move afterwards, we will probably try to hurt you.

Also, because it is our lane, and the sidewalk is generally immediately on the right and speeding cars are generally immediately on the left, we cannot leave the bike lane.

Today on my way to class, I hit a pedestrian. Like dead on. This little Asian woman was crossing the street mid-block. Or trying to cross. She looked and then just stood in the bike lane because there were cars coming. Unfortunately, I had just come from a downhill and through a yellow light, so I was flying. She saw me, did that little "which way ya going" dance - all the while I was like, seriously?!?! Go back on the sidewalk lady!! She didn't listen to my silent pleas and I plowed right into her. A nice girl that saw it happen pulled my bike out of the road and grabbed my shoes which had flown off. Neither of us apologized. We were both okay and she leapt up and ran across the street. I did not fair so well.

While I feel as though nothing is broken (especially my laptop which I fell on), my right gluteus maximus hurts like none other. I can't really walk up stairs or sit. My right arm hurts at the elbow and wrist, and there is gravel still in my hand. When I finally got to class, I just sat there and cried for 45 minutes while I was thanking my lucky stars that I didn't hit my head, break my pelvis, kill the pedestrian, break my bike, or doing anything else that would've required a hospital visit or thousands of dollars.

I went to Eastern Mountain Sports to look at helmets. Yes, I don't wear one. But I should, I know. $64-$180. Why is being safe so expensive? Why can't people just be smarter?