I was happily, innocently biking home yesterday afternoon, rushing along because of some dark storm clouds in the air. I was in the bike lane going down Avenue A, a relatively calm bit of traffic. I was just thinking I was going to beat the rain home, when a cab door opened in front of me. 3 seconds later I was on the ground. OWW!
So may I suggest, if you are getting out a cab and for some reason get out on the street side rather than the curb, that you look to see if anyone’s coming? Lucky for the cab it was just me. If it had been a car instead, it would have knocked the door off. And I may say ‘just me’, but really I want to let lose a torrential babble about how I could have been seriously injured and how unattractive my bruises are. Anyhow, that’s the justified crankiness talking.
Aside from the girl who opened the door (who is probably normal and not a malicious idiot), everyone was so helpful. I’d rather have a bike accident in Manhattan than anywhere else–there’s no end of good Samiritans. Out of nowhere a man started yelling at the girl for me
Now I need to pop up to Union Square for something, but–sigh–I really don’t want to take my bike this morning.
The Oblivions are actually a separate and unique species best avoided. Too bad you had the misfortune of running into one.
I had the same experience. It’s horrible and for ages afterwards I kept looking at car doors, expecting them to swing open. Eventually I got my confidence back and everything was fine (I’ll miss out the part about being knocked down on two further occasions and getting so pissed off that I gave up cycling).
Oblivions are everywhere – we have them over here in the UK too!! Taxi drivers are just a real pain over here – they stop and let people out in the most unlikely places – Hope you haven’t too many bruises
I’m so sorry to hear you were hurt even a bit. I’m sure one of the reasons why everyone around was so helpful to you was because they sensed you were such a nice person.
Apparently getting “doored” goes with the territory!? I don’t know, but I imagine my experience will be like yours, Steerforth.
Ah well, it seems I will survive after all.
Sorry to hear about your run in, but I’m glad that you’re okay and that so many people around you were willing to step in and help.
Owww,how awful and sucky. But it’s nice for us non-NYers to hear that people are so helpful in Manhattan.