It was a great day for a bike ride...until I got hit by a old Ford Minivan....while on my Trek bicycle on a training ride for my Big Ride Across America.  Let me in any of the Chevy vehicles and I would win that battle with Chevy's 5-Star crash testing, but Trek bike vs Minivan is not a fair playing field, not even close...I lost that battle.

I started my training ride departing from Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet on a beautiful sunny day. After a good time joking around with sales staff and General Manager Larry Simun. Larry even gave me a "push" to send me on my way to destination Paris Mountain!! However, I crashed well short of this destination.


I left the dealership and headed towards the Swamp Rabbit trail then into Cleveland Park near downtown Greenville, SC.  Stopped at a stop light, I was first in line with a minivan behind me.  The light turned green and I pushed off, clipping into my pedals, crossing the street.  As the you cross the street the other side of the road narrows. For some reason the motorist decided this was the point he would try to pass me.  As he passed he got closer and closer to me sideswiping me. I put my left arm out which took the brunt of the impact.  Next thing I know, I'm sitting on my butt in the middle of the road, dear in the head light look, thinking you have got to be kidding me!!  Did I really just get hit by a car?!!  What just happened?  How did that just happen?  In disbelief, I pulled my self off the ground, gathered my water bottles and bike and moved to the sidewalk area.  My arm was very tender and sore, and it was really the only thing I was worried about.  I didn't even know if the guy that hit me stopped...he did. Then I saw he was driving a Ford! Did he hit me because I was wearing a Chevy jersey?! lol, just kidding!!

I was a bit shaken from what just happened; I quickly realized the "brotherhood" of the cycling community. Cars with bike racks on and cyclists stopped to make sure I was ok.  One cyclist, Will, witnessed the entire event and stayed to make sure all went well and give a statement if necessary.  Another cyclist, David, didn't see the wreck but stopped and stayed with me while the police came. A Greenville Parks person came to check on me and called the police per my request. The officer that came to file the report basically said that the accident was not either of our faults.  How can that be? How is it not the motorists fault?  After all, the motorist was behind me, he saw me, he decided to pass me on a narrowing street and he didn't give me room.  If this was two cars, wouldn't the passing van be at fault? I need to investigate SC State Laws for cyclists. This just doesn't seem right to me, nor does it seem right to the others that were standing by.

Fortunately, my injuries are minor, some bruising and road rash on my arm, back, hip, and ankle. Soreness on my left side, especially my left arm and hand.  Nothing seems to be broken, and I'll be going to a doctor later today to make sure. Could have been a lot worse, luckily everything can be cared for with ice and time.



I've been riding for about eight years.  This incident raised numerous questions and concerns that I really had not given a ton of thought to, things like insurance! I had my license with me, but my car insurance doesn't cover my bike damages, or injuries.  Let's say the incident was my fault (which it wasn't) - what insurance would pay for damages to the car?

All of these questions I will be investigating and blogging about my findings.  Let me know your thoughts!

Until then, happy riding...and my motorist friends...please PLEASE give room and respect to cyclist!

-Kristin