Posted on Tuesday, 3/18/2008 - 11:23 p.m. PDT — by cwester760
There are too many cyclists being killed by motorists just not paying attention to their surroundings. Not only are there bikes, runners and roller-bladders..they are women pushing joggers with little children inside...How do we make an impact on motorists that we, the cyclists are out there trying to "share the road" but they are just not paying attention or on the cell phone? how can we stop this madness? my husband was killed last summer on his bike in Fallbrook, CA by a driver that didn't see him. My husband was in the right away, a 200 lb man on a red bike with a red and white helmet....it's hard to believe the driver didn't see him. THis is happening too much with everyone in a hurry and more cyclists on the roads everyday...Any programs or education being presented to the communities and something we can get involved with?? please let me know. Christine Harrison, Fallbrook CA
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Joined: May 2008
Current Posts: 1
ON 3/9/08 MY SON AND I WERE AT THE STEVENS CREEK RESERVOIR FISHING, WHEN I SAW THE SHERIFF DEPUTY BARRELING DOWN THE ROAD AND TOLD MY SON "LOOK HOW FAST HE'S GOING. HE MUST BE ANSWERING A CALL." ONLY TO SEE THE HELICOPTER FLY OVER US A FEW MINUTES LATER. WE SOON SAW PEOPLE CRYING IN THE PARKING LOT JUST FEET FROM US. WE HAD WATCHED THIS PARKING LOT FILL WITH BICYCLIST'S CARS, SINCE WE HAD BEEN THERE BEFORE SUNRISE. IT HAD BEEN FUN SEEING ALL THE DIFFERENT BIKES AND RIDERS TAKING OFF, SO HAPPY ON THIS BEAUTIFUL DAY, ONLY TO SEE SUCH TRAGEDY ON THEIR FACES. WHAT GETS ME, IS THAT THIS ROAD IS ALWAYS, ALWAYS BUSY WITH BICYCLISTS ESPECIALLY ON WEEKENDS!!!!!! THIS ACCIDENT HAUNTS ME TO THIS DAY BECAUSE IT WAS SO SENSELESS. MY HEART AND PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL.
Joined: Jun 2008
Current Posts: 1
You are absolutely right that there are too many accidents between those in 4 wheeled vehicles and those on two wheels. I was hit two years ago on a motorcycle on a clear, sunny day. My bike is bright red and so are my leathers. My heart goes out to those mourning for people not so lucky as I-I walked away with minor injuries. This driver admitted that she wasn't paying attention and never saw me. I was following all rules of the road and not speeding. And to think that the bicyclists injured or killed were technically on the side of the road and not in the lanes of traffic! I knew a cyclist who was killed in the Bay Area back in 2007-he was struck by a pickup and killed instantly. Something must be done about the inattention of motorists as well as the distractions they face. However, who here has the nerve to do what will probably (eventually) have to be done? I am talking about eliminating the distractions-NO cell phones while driving, NO GPS maps/screens in vehicles, NO eating and drinking while driving and the responsibilities of parents (I am one) to control there children while not taking there eyes off the road. I doubt any of our elected 'leaders' have the determination to tackle any of these issues much less ask the State of California to provide an actual test of a drivers ability before giving them a license! Sure we have a 'test' now but have you seen the actual driving ability of most people on the road today? Or should I say the apparent lack of ability in most drivers! Unfortunately more non motorists will likely have to be injured or worse before something is done. That in itself is a sad commentary because many of us were either injured or know someone who was injured or killed by this sad situation.
Joined: Apr 2008
Current Posts: 2
so, were you lane splitting when you were hit?. If so, then you shouldn't be sneaking up on cars in their blind spot. Yes, all cars have a blind spot and it isn't always possible to see a speeding bike come out of no where.
I'm not saying you did any of this, but a lot of the motorcycle accidents seem to invlove lane splitting and speeding.
Joined: Jun 2008
Current Posts: 2
Well, it shouldn't really matter if he was lane splitting or not. It is legal to lane split in CA. If the drivers checked their blind spot like they are supposed to, there would be fewer accidents. And bikes don't come out of nowhere. Part of driving is being defensive; you should always be checking your mirrors while driving. If you hit someone because you didn't see him or her, you are at fault, whether hitting a bike or a car. Know who and what is around you at all times while driving, you should be updating your self constantly. Driving isn't supposed to be easy, it's supposed to be hard.
Joined: Aug 2008
Current Posts: 1
And how have I managed to miss such defining criteria all these years?
slim-jim wrote:
> a lot of the motorcycle accidents seem to invlove lane splitting and speeding.
Joined: Jun 2008
Current Posts: 55
The whole thing about blind spots is that vision is obstructed. That means, whatever is there IS invisible. Drivers can check every point but that. If you are vulnerable, a pedestrian, cyclist or such, take the time and use your common sense to listen and look around you for hazards. You may have right of way (not right away, darn it!) but when you are not safe taking it and you go on without being sure you're committing suicide.
Joined: Jun 2008
Current Posts: 87
I have had more than one event where a person on a bicycle goes out of his way to slow traffic. People on bikes are rude. If someone on a bike gets run over by a car, I can't help but think it is the bicyclist's fault. When it comes to cars and bikes the score will always be Car-1 / Bike-0. Don't cry about getting killed on a bike when it is YOUR responsibility to keep yourself safe. I hate bicyclists. I also hate hippies and anything green. San Francisco is a nasty place too.
Joined: Jun 2008
Current Posts: 692
ennyk67:
About 5% of bicyclists ride rudely. Do you want to run over all of them for the behavior of a few?
Joined: Sep 2004
Current Posts: 12
I hate rude bicyclists who ride as if they were exempt fro the Vehicle code.
I hate rude motorists who drive as if cyclists have no right to the road.
I also hate rude commenters who make sweeping generalizations.
G.
"Pillaging just for fun..."
Joined: Jan 2009
Current Posts: 1
I have been riding bikes all my life . I have been driving for about 23 years. I can tell you that in my limited experience on a bike , that there are drivers who simply do not care. you speak of responsibilty? If I had a dollar for everytime I have seen someone on a cellphone, eating lunch, playing with there makeup, smoking a joint while on there phone! I would make Trump look poor. If there is one thing I am not is irresponsible. Responsibilty is everyones task. Bikers have to be semi aggressive due to the fact that drivers will go out of there way screw with you even when you are being cool and hugging the sholder, or obeying all laws. Yes I have seen it personally about 100 times over the years. I have learned if you yield more and more , drivers will take more and more. Simply fact. Yes There are the few jack-ass riders who over step that line, I have been lucky to only have a door opened on me once and guess what she told me? " sorry I was on my phone, didn't see you." I was hit being courtious by trying to stay out of the lane of traffic . Had I been defensive I would have avioded the one incident I had. You can guess how I rode after that. I haven't had a problem since. Don't assume bikers ride aggressive when it's really defensive, there is a difference. Next time your on your phone texting or playing with the raidio while speeding along think about how responsible I the biker is supposed to be . I assume you might have kids one day, who will ride there bikes everywhere they go.God forbid having to Imagie feeling it's your kids fault when the driver I see everyday, " runs them over for being rude"? Drive safely , Peace, I have to go hug a tree now.
Joined: Jun 2008
Current Posts: 2
Running over people is bad.
Joined: Aug 2008
Current Posts: 144
Obviously this cop is related to Stevie Wonder. I hope he was arrested and drug tested after he murdered two innocent people with a deadly weapon (his vehicle)!
Joined: Sep 2008
Current Posts: 3
Everyone loves to slam a cop. I suppose you have never made a mistake and lived the perfect life. Not all bicyclists ride using the rules of the road. Quite a few act like they own the road. Just as a lot of people in cars do really stupid stuff. So get off your little pedestal of righteousness .
Joined: Nov 2008
Current Posts: 1
Does any one keep statistics on how many times drivers have to slam on the brakes because some rider blows through a stop sign at 25 mph: fast enough to get through the intersection but too fast to see them coming? I've had to slam on the brakes more than one time in just such a case. I've even seen a mother with her child in a seat on the back of her bike completely ignoring the stop signs. Other times I will be sitting at a light and ready to turn or change lanes and suddenly there is a bicycle rider right next to me, as far as I know the lane is for one vehicle at a time, and if drivers are not expecting a bike to be there they may not even look.
It is very tragic and sad that riders are hit on the roads that everyone should share. All I can say is don't assume anyone can see you, even if you have the right away. Even in my car, I know by how a driver is "behaving" that they are not paying attention, or worse, ignoring the law and still talking on a cell phone when they drive. It's scary to think how these drivers were able to get a license. A driver turning right almost hit me two weeks ago as I was getting ready to cross the street. She didn't stop where she was supposed to and drove right through the cross walk and only stopped to see if any cars were coming when she was almost around the corner. And when I knocked on the window of the car she just drove off. So ride, drive, and walk defensively.
Joined: Feb 2009
Current Posts: 1
I REALLY HAVE A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE PEOPLE WHO DRIVE CARS, BECAUSE WHEN THEY SEE A MOTOR CYCLE ON THE FREEWAY , THEY THINK THEY HAVE TO SPPED WITH US TO TRY TO KEEP UP, NOW THAT IS JUST CRAZY, ITS NOT OUR FAULT THAT 4-WHEEL DRIVERS WANT TO OVER POWER THE ROADS, BUT WE HAVE RIGHTS TOO. AND ITS NOT SO MUCH AS US JUMPING LANES BECAUSE WE HAVE TO DO THAT ALOT TO GET AWAY FROM YOU SPPED DEAMONS. DONT YOU RELIZE THAT IF YOU BARELY BUMP OUR BIKE AND TO YOU IT WOULD BE A ACCIDENT, THAT LITTLE BUMP CAN CAUSE THE BIKE TO LOOSE CONTROL AND HURT A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE , MAINLY THE BIKER WHO WAS ONLY TRYING TO GET OUT THE WAY, AND CUTING US OFF, WHATS UP WITH THAT, ARE YOU REALLY IN THAT MUCH OF OF HURRY THAT YOU WOULD GOES AS FAR AS CROSSING IN FRONT OF US AT THE LAST MINUTE TO JUMP A LANE YOURSELF. I MEAN LETS KEEP IT REAL, THE ONES THAT DO THIS ARE ONLY UPSET BECAUSE YOU DONT HAVE A BIKE OR DONT KNOW HOW TO RIDE ONE, JUST GIVE US OUR RESPECT WHEN YOU SEE US ON THE ROAD. BECAUSE THE LIFE YOU MIGHT TAKE FOR YOUR IGNORANCE MIGHT JUST BE YOUR OWN ONE DAY. AND YEAH I'M A VICTIM OF A CAR HITTING MY BIKE ON THE FREEWAY, BECAUSE THEY WERE TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH ME, AND BUMPED MY BACK TIRE WHICH CAUSED ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF MY BIKE AND I HAD TO LAY IT DOWN SO I WOULDNT CRASH AS BAD, AND THE DRIVER KEPT GOING AND THE THOUGHT THAT I SLID 60 FEET DOWN THE FREEWAY. I MEAN THINK ABOUT IT, IF I GOT KILLED BY THAT , THAT PERSON WOULD OF BEEN A KILLER ON THE LOOSE, BUT I WALK AWAY WITH A FEW SERIOUS INJURIES, THANK GOD FOR THAT. SO LIKE I SAID GIVE BIKERS THEIR RESPECT ON THE ROAD AND KEEP A THREE CAR DISTANCE'S FROM US... THATS WHAT ITS ABOUT RESPECT ON THE ROAD, AND THERE'S ALOT OF YOU OUT THERE THAT HAVE NONE..... AND THATS ANOTHER STORY IN ITS SELF...... KHRYSTAL KLEAR 4269!!!!!!!!!
Joined: Nov 2008
Current Posts: 601
Although I agree that cyclists have rights, and motorists should respect them, I feel it's important to remind you of a simple truth.
Bicycle Vs. Car = LOSE
So pay attention to what's going on around you, or you won't be alive to sue when some idiot driver screws up and hits you.
Joined: Feb 2009
Current Posts: 1
Both cars and the two wheel people need patience. Sorry for your lost, no one should die
I saw a car in a residential area stopped at a four corner stop. Motorcycles went on the inside and outside of the car. Two by two, total of 5 groups went around the car and didn’t stop at the intersection making a right turn.
Saw the same motorcycle doing a block long wheelie on a residential street. The rider did it for everyday for two weeks straight.
Going on Hwy 13 at 70 no one was in front or behind me. I check my mirrors 10 seconds later here is a motorcycle on my butt. A few minutes later I slowed down to 60 he passed me giving me a dirty look. I got to the top of the hill and he was gone.
Driving my truck south on 101 in the commuter lane. Traffic was slow and at times stop and go. I was doing the speed limit and a motorcycle got behind me, the rider stayed their for a while. There was a little break in cars on the right, he sped pass me giving the finger.
During the day I was on south 880 doing approx 70. I was in the number 2 lane next to the commuter lane. I was coming up to a car on the left. Got to the door of the car in the commuter lane and a motorcycle cuts the between us.
On a Livermore country road, no shoulder, up a slight incline speed limit 40. I approach 3 across 6 deep bicycles riders. I got in middle of the road honked my horn. The back half got over and the front of the group headed towards the middle of the road leaving me no where to go. I stopped, I rolled back a bit. I rider came up the white line he fell off is bike on the shoulder. He got up throw rocks at my truck, walked around and reached in my truck and grabbed my neck. Who has the road rage? His bike scratched my truck. The rocks pitted my finder and hood. Then the group of riders stood in front and rear of my truck blocking me in on the road. Also, blocked my other door. The CHP showed up. I was charge with assault with a deadly weapon and he was charged with assault and battery. He said if I charged him with assault he would make my life miserable.
Stopped at end of my street, making a left turn. Here is motorcycle making the left turn with me, illegal. Motorcycles not stopping at the freeway metering lights and even going up the shoulder to pass the metering light.
Here is some examples I seen. No wonder that you hear on the radio almost every day that there is a motorcycle accident.
Joined: Dec 2008
Current Posts: 59
What is it with these brain dead adults on bikes with no helmet ? They ride around like they are in Mayberry RFD. They seem to be in some fairytale existence. We force children to wear helmets yet adults don't think enough of themselves to put one on. It takes 30 seconds for your head to go from the seat to the street and a lifetime (if you live) of brain injuries. I'm always baffled when I see this. BERKELEY if especially bad for this. CAL students turn off their brain when they get on a bike with no helmet. Stupid just stupid. So much for Magna [bleep] Laude
Joined: Sep 2009
Current Posts: 1
When I was a kid, we rode on the sidewalk when there was road traffic.
* Bikes and pedestrians have no problem navigating safely. When accidents do occur, they are minor.
* Bikes and cars, different story, as you know.
If I still road a bike, I'd still be on the sidewalk where people don't have to die.
Joined: Jun 2008
Current Posts: 86
I remember driving slowly by a cyclist on a narrow street and out of nowhere he began pounding on my hood of my truch with his fist as though he felt that I was too close to him. I undestand when sharing the road with someone riding is difficult but his response would have been grounds for me to slap the taste out of his mouth. Of course I used my better judgement and allowed him to pound away until I was pass him but I would hazard to guess that his action is what has many motorist upset was some willing to direct anger if not harm towards a bike cyclist.