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Cyclist Killed
Last Post 01/26/2016 10:43 AM by Spudly Crumpett III. 14 Replies.
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Spud
Posts:525
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| 01/25/2016 06:55 AM |
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Thoughts and prayers go out to this woman's family. I ride this road 3 to 4 times a week.
http://www.kvoa.com/story/31043326/victim-in-fatal-bicycle-accident-identified |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 01/25/2016 09:04 AM |
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| 89 year old. Maybe driving a huge SUV. Bad situation. |
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Spud
Posts:525
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| 01/25/2016 09:21 AM |
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This is where it happened. The blue lane is supposed to warn both cyclist and driver about the merge.
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Nick A
Posts:625
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| 01/25/2016 09:41 AM |
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I spent time as an intern at our state legislature. I, like many, have a AAA card. They're also really good at lobbying for motorists, including opposing things like requiring yearly renewal of licenses for older drivers.
Nick |
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ChinookPass
Posts:809
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| 01/25/2016 10:53 AM |
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| Merges like that across entrance/exit ramps scare the schitt out of me. There was a recent high profile similar incident like that in Portland. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 01/25/2016 11:56 AM |
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Posted By ChinookPass . on 01/25/2016 10:53 AM
Merges like that across entrance/exit ramps scare the schitt out of me. There was a recent high profile similar incident like that in Portland.
whatever you do, DON"T follow the blue line. Approaching merge point make sure there's no one on ramp then get to right ASAP. |
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Nick A
Posts:625
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| 01/25/2016 02:25 PM |
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What OC said. Common sense saves your life. I've even learned from "real" Harley riders, that'll under certain circumstances, point to to the lane where they're going, so there's no ambiguity.
Nick |
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Spud
Posts:525
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| 01/25/2016 02:26 PM |
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Here is the view from the vehicle merging onto Sunrise Dr. Not sure how neither one saw each other.
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Nick A
Posts:625
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| 01/25/2016 03:37 PM |
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I guess it's easy to pontificate from my keyboard, but I would not merge where that blue lane is. Either right away, where you can see if anyone's coming, or quite a bit later, where the vehicle has a longer, straight, unobstructed view of what's up the road. A sad accident. Who knows if "fault" can be assigned. But, there's taking the best line across, there's the decision to put the blue line there, the driver's speed, hence time to react, etc., etc.
I try to not be a dick on the road, but sometimes, folks don't realize that NOT following the "rules" is sometimes safer.
Nick |
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smokey52
Posts:498
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| 01/25/2016 10:00 PM |
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It looks like the blue line was drawn by a designer on a piece of paper, not a rider on a road. Even the bicycle yellow diamond signs look like general awareness signs, not immediate crossing signs, and the yield sign seems like it has a perfunctory placement.
Spud, please let us know if this incident results in any changes. Have you ever felt threatened at this site? How do you cope with the guidance?
All of this aside, I agree with your sentiments: Thoughts & prayers for this woman and her family.
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Spud
Posts:525
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| 01/26/2016 07:33 AM |
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Update - The woman cyclist from Vermont, was here visiting. The driver has not been charged so far.
Smokey, I've been riding this stretch of road for 11 years, and have never come close to being taken out at this merge. And, I ride on that designated blue strip. What you need to do is, look right to see if any cars are approaching this merge. At that point, you need to make eye contact with the driver. Make sure they know you see them, and be sure they see you. If not, you just need to slow, or stop to avoid what happened here on Sunday. I do think there are some improvements to this merge, that will make it safer for visiting cyclists especially. Still trying to wrap my head around how these two never saw each other coming. |
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Gonzo Cyclist
Posts:568
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| 01/26/2016 08:47 AM |
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"you need to make eye contact with the driver. Make sure they know you see them, and be sure they see you."
EXACTLY, learned that in my motorcycle days, I watch drivers, not cars, people have to LOOK to see you. You know for sure when they have not seen you. Also, ride like you are invisible, because you pretty much are to people in cars
89 years old, sheesh, one of the owners of BTI (a Bike parts dist) here in Santa Fe was killed on his motorcycle, 4 ladies in their 80's in a Jeep Cherokee, pulled right out in front of him
How about the 73 year old lady that too out Team Giant/Alpecin?......crazy, Degenkolb will miss the spring classics
so sad, but that is the risk we all take every day |
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zootracer
Posts:835
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| 01/26/2016 10:23 AM |
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That's a bad situation. What is the speed limit on the expressway? Drivers are probably speeding up in order to merge with traffic. Best scenario is to presume the driver is not going to see you and be prepared to stop if necessary. I use hand gesture and eye contact, but some drivers are too stupid to realize what I am communicating.
Thoughts and prayers for the ladies family. We lose about one cyclist a year here. Last fatality was 6:30 in the morning caused by a driver under the influence. |
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Red Tornado
Posts:159
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| 01/26/2016 10:34 AM |
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Looking at the "drivers view" photo, the blue line is noticeable but doesn't really stand out to me. If you're driving a little distracted or there are cars directly in front of you, that stripe may be noticed a little too late by the driver.
The bicycle signs could be augmented with verbiage something like, "Watch for bicycles when merging". Don't want too many words, but it might make drivers take a 2nd look.
I'm like some of the commenters above, I'll make sure there's a good opening and then move to the shoulder as quickly as possible. Don't want to hang out in no man's land any longer than necessary. |
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Spud
Posts:525
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| 01/26/2016 10:43 AM |
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| Speed limit on that main road is 45. the speed limit on the merging road is 25. I'd like to see a sign posted right there that reads, MOTORISTS YIELD TO CYCLISTS. Also would help to have a sign on the main road that reads MERGING TRAFFIC ENTERING ON RIGHT. |
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