Saved My Life on the Brooklyn Bridge
I recently moved to New York City and decided to take a bike ride from Hudson Yards to Brooklyn. With navigation instructions playing in my ear, I followed the prompts and approached the Brooklyn Bridge. The navigation directed me to turn left onto the bridge, and without a second thought, I complied.
Seconds later, I found myself on a six-lane highway, surrounded by cars speeding past at over 60 miles per hour. Fear gripped me as I realized the gravity of my mistake. There was no shoulder to stop on, no way to turn around, and the mere thought of falling was terrifying, given the risk of being hit by a car. The only option was to continue going straight and avoid falling over.
Terrified, I peddled as fast as possible on the highway. Cars started swerving around me, honking, with people yelling abuses out of their window. I started hitting potholes, and gripped the handles of the bike praying that I didn't fall.
About a quarter of the way across the bridge, a man pulled up beside me in his car.
"What are you doing!?" he shouted through his window, seemingly frustrated. I started to anticipate a terrible outcome. I responded.
"I made a mistake! I have to keep going!" I shouted back, struggling to keep my concentration on the road.
Seeing the panic on my face, he quickly understood my predicament. "I'm going to make sure you get across" he reassured me.
True to his word, he swerved behind me, turned on his hazard lights, and followed me at 30 miles per hour all the way across the bridge. What should have been a five-minute journey felt like an eternity. Finally, as I reached the end of the bridge, I glanced back to see him taking an exit. I never saw that stranger again.
This harrowing experience was a powerful reminder of the inherent goodness in people. To the person who risked their own safety to protect mine, I am profoundly grateful.