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Paying it Forward

Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2017 11:48 am
by WhiteNoise
Yesterday I took a friend to the neurologist and then ran some routine chores. I have a weakness for ice-cream, so I stopped at my favorite soft-serve stand afterwards. Ohhh the disappointment. Their slider windows were closed for the winter season. So soon? :roll: Like a pouting baby I got back in my truck and started to leave.
That is the moment that I spotted two young boys (12?) riding their bicycle's on the sidewalk. I stopped before exiting waiting for them to ride past me. While waiting one of the boys had turned his head to see if the ice cream stand was open. The other boy kept riding (knowing I was waiting for him to pass).

I saw what was about to happen, then I saw it happen....the CRASH!
The one boy (who took his eyes off his path) struck a 3-4' high red concrete post (one of 6 that are used to divide the sidewalk from the parking lot). He hit it hard and went down just as hard. His friend heard what happened and turned his bike around. I leaped out of my truck and ran over. He was lying on his back crying and embarrassed. I asked how he was, told him to stay put for a while...I know you're scared, everything will be alright. I glanced at his knees, only one was scraped and bleeding but not badly (considering he had shorts on). After calming him down, I got him up. We chatted some more then straightened out the handlebar on his bike. It had rolled way back towards his seat. I asked where they lived and they pointed to a road across the street. I said I would follow them home. No really, we're okay they said. Both boys thanked me numerous times for helping. I hugged them and told them to go right home and get that knee cleaned up. Promise was made.

As they mounted their bikes I stood between them. I raised my arm and pointed my finger in the direction they were going to go, and said....

"Always look were you're going, where you want to go. Not anywhere else. ONLY where you are going to." They nodded yes. I continued saying, "ya know, I always do and I ride a motorcycle."
On that their eyes popped! Big smiles!
Off they went >>>> across the street

Pay it Forward folks.....ya just never know

Re: Paying it Forward

Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2017 3:50 pm
by PCX150Rider
A very kind act indeed WN!

That being said even the adults on bicycles I see often don't always look where they are going and seldom stop for red lights or stop signs. I can't count the number of times I've seen the light go green at an intersection and some non technical bicycle rider will just rush right through the intersection without stopping.

It's good that you helped those kids. :D

Re: Paying it Forward

Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2017 7:05 pm
by TheMaverick
Good on you for helping!

Have you thought about adding a first aid kit to your vehicles?

Re: Paying it Forward

Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2017 4:43 am
by gn2
WhiteNoise wrote:"Always look were you're going, where you want to go. Not anywhere else. ONLY where you are going to."
Works fine till you reach a crossroads or need to change lanes or.....

Re: Paying it Forward

Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2017 11:50 am
by Mel46
Speaking of adults and looking where you are going, Wednesdays seem to be prime time for the oldest of old folks to get out of their retirement communities and drive to the store, etc, around here. The biggest problem with that is that most of them can't see where they are going, and the accident rate climbs steeply on those days.

This week one drove through the glass wall at the closest emergency care facility, and right after that one pulled out of parking space beside my wife's car, pulled back in while turning the wheel, and drove into the side of my wife's car! She was standing beside her car when they did it, and she was yelling at them to stop. The old man then got out of his car and asked what the problem was! Dah!!
Two hours later another one of those old timers drove into a local grocery store parking lot and the pedestrian traffic had to scatter out of her way. She then proceeded to park her car in the Handicap Parking space by driving forward until she couldn't move any further. That meant running her front tires up onto the cement stops and hitting (and bending) the Handicap Parking sign with her bumper. She left her car just like that and went into the store.

Re: Paying it Forward

Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2017 12:25 pm
by PCX150Rider
Speaking of adults and looking where you are going, Wednesdays seem to be prime time for the oldest of old folks to get out of their retirement communities and drive to the store, etc, around here. The biggest problem with that is that most of them can't see where they are going, and the accident rate climbs steeply on those days.

This week one drove through the glass wall at the closest emergency care facility, and right after that one pulled out of parking space beside my wife's car, pulled back in while turning the wheel, and drove into the side of my wife's car! She was standing beside her car when they did it, and she was yelling at them to stop. The old man then got out of his car and asked what the problem was! Dah!!
Two hours later another one of those old timers drove into a local grocery store parking lot and the pedestrian traffic had to scatter out of her way. She then proceeded to park her car in the Handicap Parking space by driving forward until she couldn't move any further. That meant running her front tires up onto the cement stops and hitting (and bending) the Handicap Parking sign with her bumper. She left her car just like that and went into the store.
I know I'd be very perturbed if I was seeing someone drive into my car while I was yelling and waving my hands at them to stop. Sorry to hear about your wife's (family) car. The upside to it is nobody was injured. That being said there was talk some years ago about having mandatory drivers tests for people over a certain age but I don't seem to recall anything materializing with that. I've heard stories similar to what you are talking about happening in Florida also. It's amazing how ignorant or "out of touch" some people are when it comes to giving up their driving when they start becoming a hazard to humanity. :roll: