Midnight
New Member
- Location
- On the coast
Just a couple of miles into my ride, on a busy road I'm approaching a pedestrain crossing at a steady 17.6mph. I can see a small family group close to the crossing, and a young girl (I'd guess around 8yrs old) was being chased by her slightly older brother close to the crossing. I'm in secondary, but on seeing the kids I moved slightly further out from the curb, just in case... As always when approaching a crossing I was ready on the brakes anticipating the lights changing, but they stayed green as I was passing through.
Suddenly the young girl ran into the road right in front of me!!! Jeeeez! I managed to swerve and avoid hitting her by just and inch or so, but consequently almost put myself under the wheels of a green car coming up behind. Thankfully, the driver was alert, and she/he swerved to avoid hitting me. But that was close... that was soooo close!!! The thought of what almost happened made me feel sick, and I was so rattled I nearly turned back for home.
I completed my planned ride, more by default than conscious choice, and mostly enjoyed it, but I wasn't helped by a couple of minor incidents on the same stretch of road on the return leg - nearly left-hooked, and another small kid who jumped out and shouted Boo!
Anyway, I suppose my message is watch out for kids, especially by the roadside, and during the school holidays. Your best defence is defensive riding (though you probably already know that). Stay alert folks, and Hey, let's be careful out there.
Suddenly the young girl ran into the road right in front of me!!! Jeeeez! I managed to swerve and avoid hitting her by just and inch or so, but consequently almost put myself under the wheels of a green car coming up behind. Thankfully, the driver was alert, and she/he swerved to avoid hitting me. But that was close... that was soooo close!!! The thought of what almost happened made me feel sick, and I was so rattled I nearly turned back for home.
I completed my planned ride, more by default than conscious choice, and mostly enjoyed it, but I wasn't helped by a couple of minor incidents on the same stretch of road on the return leg - nearly left-hooked, and another small kid who jumped out and shouted Boo!
Anyway, I suppose my message is watch out for kids, especially by the roadside, and during the school holidays. Your best defence is defensive riding (though you probably already know that). Stay alert folks, and Hey, let's be careful out there.
