thomas
The Crank Engine
- Nov 1, 2005
- 2,085
- 605
I guess it has to happen to each urban commuter once (and I hope only once!): to get "doored" by a motorised vehicle. I know the daunting stories of two friends who have worked as messengers in Tokyo and had their close encounters with car (usually taxi) doors opening right in front of them. And it is Ash, I believe, who has a similar story to share.
Anyhow, today was my turn, but it was a bus in my case. I was riding down Route 1 heading to Shin-Kawasaki when I reached a red signal somewhere close to Magome. A huge "Sankyu" bus had stopped in front of me. Since it wasn't a regular public bus and there was no station indicated, I intended to pass between the bus and the shoulder of the road. Just as I was about the pass the bus the front door swung open. I was only doing 25km/h, but there was no way I could have avoided the unexpected obstacle. I got blown off my rig and landed on the sidewalk. No damage to the bike, I only suffered a few abrasions and bruises, but my right index finger hurt badly (until now). What made me really, *REALLY* furious was the bus driver's reaction: namely zilch!! No offer to help, no question whether I was hurt, no apology. He just kept staring at me sheepishly, while I hurled my limited amount of Japanese invectives at him. I was in a slight hurry, so I had no time for the usual game of police and ambulance and also forgot to take a pic with my keitai camera. しょうがない, no ginger!
Have you ever been doored?
Anyhow, today was my turn, but it was a bus in my case. I was riding down Route 1 heading to Shin-Kawasaki when I reached a red signal somewhere close to Magome. A huge "Sankyu" bus had stopped in front of me. Since it wasn't a regular public bus and there was no station indicated, I intended to pass between the bus and the shoulder of the road. Just as I was about the pass the bus the front door swung open. I was only doing 25km/h, but there was no way I could have avoided the unexpected obstacle. I got blown off my rig and landed on the sidewalk. No damage to the bike, I only suffered a few abrasions and bruises, but my right index finger hurt badly (until now). What made me really, *REALLY* furious was the bus driver's reaction: namely zilch!! No offer to help, no question whether I was hurt, no apology. He just kept staring at me sheepishly, while I hurled my limited amount of Japanese invectives at him. I was in a slight hurry, so I had no time for the usual game of police and ambulance and also forgot to take a pic with my keitai camera. しょうがない, no ginger!
Have you ever been doored?