Bus Report #1083

 Waiting for the 28 today, to cross the park and head to my garden plot.

The bus was already late, three previous runs canceled, so when I got to the stop it was teeming with annoyed folks who needed to get somewhere.

We waited. And waited some more. One woman ended up calling a Lyft. A couple of tourists gave up and walked away.

The light changed and a pair of motorcycles zoomed through the intersection ahead of the rest of the traffic. One of the motorcycles sped away.

The other must have hit something or the driver lost control because the next thing we knew the bike was skidding and sparking across Park Presidio in one direction and the rider was flying in the other direction.

We all collectively gasped, then shouted, half of us moving towards the rider, who was remarkably all right - he stood up and quickly got out of the traffic, standing on the grassy shoulder of the road, a little shaky. He watched the oncoming cars avoid hitting his bike.

I think a few of us got our phones out to call 911 but it didn't seem ultimately necessary. He was okay. 

A kid with a skateboard skated over to talk to the rider. The rider was clad head to toe in leathers and his helmet was unscathed. I'm not one for miracles, but...

His friend, the other motorcyclist, drove back and when it was safe, he waded into traffic (luckily people stopped) and pulled the damaged motorcycle out of the road. 

There was a feeling of relief that rippled through those of us standing nearby. One woman, who was with her son, pressed her hand to her chest and shook her head. 

"I could not believe it," she said. 

"Thank goodness for his helmet, and that they were well ahead of the cars when he wiped out," I said.

Another waiting passenger said, "I've never seen anything like that before. Not in real life."

We all agreed we were glad the rider was okay. 

Our bus arrived a few minutes later. 

We slowly passed the rider, his friend, and the kid with the skateboard. 

I hope he wasn't too shaken up.

I was late to the garden, and late to my flu and bivalent Covid vaccine, but that was fine. That was perfectly all right.