Got hit by a SunTrans Bus last week . . .

. . . but I'm okay.

I was riding my old, beat-up, beloved Eddy Merckx fixie (yes it has a handbrake) on Broadway downtown. Broadway is one-way there, and I was on the left hand side of the road preparing to make a left on 6th Avenue, which is also one-way.

A bus passed way too close and I moved to the very far edge of the curb, but then it continued to angle in. It was a terrifying moment. Those of you who ride fixed-gear know that a pedal can hit the curb and potentially throw you.

I put my arm out against the bus and scraped my elbow on it as it passed my by, all whilst vigorously backpedaling.

I caught up with the driver and told him he had nearly killed me, but he acted as if he was pleased with his efforts, and told me he was forced to cut me off in order to stay in his lane. Then he drove off.

I have heard from many people that the city bus drivers are the most consistent menace on the roads of Tucson, and I am starting to believe it.

Should something like this ever happen to you, SunTrans keeps audio and video from inside the bus for seven days. To obtain a copy of the tape you need to contact Gilbert Gherna at (520) 623-4301 -- although it may be better to have a lawyer do it.

I have requested a copy of the tape from my encounter and am awaiting its arrival.

Should you be struck by a bus, try to get the route number (they are the lighted-up numbers on the back -- don't try to memorize the actual bus number, which has many digits) and note the time and place as accurately as you can. Contact a lawyer immediately because the tape will be overwritten in six or seven days, which isn't a lot of time.

Erik Ryberg