Bicycle safety and awareness

[maxaroni]

My PSA: When riding a bicycle (in the road) please wear a helmet, reflective gear on your person & bicycle and please be aware of your surroundings as well as all cars around you. As a motorist, please please please be aware of bicyclists.

Our friends 30 year old son was killed in a vehicular bicycle accident. This young man did everything correct but a distracted driver plowed right into him. We were at the celebration of life yesterday and this is one of the families messages. The other one is consider being an organ donor. This young man was an organ donor and whatever was able to be harvested was.

 

[Meriweather]

Our yard person lost his 32 year old son while riding a bike also.....hit and run. So sad.
We've known the family for 14 years.

 

[georgina]

How sad. We hear about deadly bicycle accidents too often; my DD in SF rides a bike a lot and I worry about her. She has had a few close calls - a car crossed right in front of her (in the bike lane) to park, she actually hit the back of the woman's car and the woman blamed her? I think she did get her to pay for the bike repairs. People often don't think to check if a bike is passing before opening their driver's side door.

 

[maxaroni]

It’s very frightening. My son grew up with this young man and his 2 brothers. My son does not want to ride on main roads for awhile. My son shaken up by this and has a baby on the way, this hit too close for comfort.
Per the police report, no fault to the bicyclist, an investigation is underway. Per the police report, the driver was distracted.

 

[GreatLakes]

How sad. We hear about deadly bicycle accidents too often; my DD in SF rides a bike a lot and I worry about her. She has had a few close calls - a car crossed right in front of her (in the bike lane) to park, she actually hit the back of the woman's car and the woman blamed her? I think she did get her to pay for the bike repairs. People often don't think to check if a bike is passing before opening their driver's side door.

It is something I always look out for. There is something called the Dutch Reach that helps spot bikes before you "door" them.

 

[JensHiggls]

I came across this older discussion and wanted to add that I’ve seen more near misses lately, so this still feels really important. Has anyone’s local area added better bike lanes or signage recently? I’m curious what changes have actually helped people feel safer, whether you’re biking or driving.

 

[georgina]

The DC area has added more barriers to the bike lanes in some places. Interesting this thread got bumped, as the DD in SF was hit recently by a car that put on its right turn signal and pulled over to the right, then proceeded to go left right into her. A bystander called the police and the car was cited, so she has a record of it. Needed to buy a new bike, but thankfully only had some bruises.

I will say that driving around DC, bike riders and scooters completely disregard stop signs and traffic lights. We really have to pay attention when driving. A couple on an electric bike were hit by a garbage truck recently, one died, not sure who was at fault.

 

[pooh2001]

I believe laws have been updated on vehicular man salter
So sorry for your lost

Bicycle rides should we a reflective vest - light weight - and have reflectors on the wheels
NO night riding on a bike
On the back and the front of the bike there should be reflectors too
Even battery light of ones - you can find them on Amazon
I have orange ones that can be solid or blink - I used them on my wheelchair at Halloween

 

[citruscurtis]

One dangerous road in our Yuma rural 100 street winter visitor community was in consideration but eventually considered very dangerous for it gave a false sense of security to be in the boundary of a white line and bicycles had safer choices a block over..it was a matter of entitlement vs curves vs speed vs senior drivers

 

[Lumpy1106]

I believe laws have been updated on vehicular man salter
So sorry for your lost

Bicycle rides should we a reflective vest - light weight - and have reflectors on the wheels
NO night riding on a bike
On the back and the front of the bike there should be reflectors too
Even battery light of ones - you can find them on Amazon
I have orange ones that can be solid or blink - I used them on my wheelchair at Halloween

Love your "NO night riding on a bike" comment. When I was a kid, you put the bike away before the street lights came on. These days you see mobs of kids riding around after dark. Lights, reflectors etc. will not protect you from a drunk driver.

Which brings me to my other comment; don't use the "blinker" setting on your bike lights. Caltrans road crews stopped using blinking lights on stationary anything years ago. Blinking lights are like a magnet to a drunk driver.

 

[pooh2001]

I did not know of the blinking lights - but do agree with NO NIGHT or DUSK riding a bike or e-bike

 

[John VN]

I believe laws have been updated on vehicular man salter
So sorry for your lost

Bicycle rides should we a reflective vest - light weight - and have reflectors on the wheels
NO night riding on a bike
On the back and the front of the bike there should be reflectors too
Even battery light of ones - you can find them on Amazon
I have orange ones that can be solid or blink - I used them on my wheelchair at Halloween

r.e. bold -- WHY NOT ????

2:22AM is when I began my 16.16 mile ride today. Short and enjoyable with more danger from crazy rabbits running in front of me than passing drivers.

Regarding blinking lights, I use solid AND blinking lights.

 

[NovenShade]

That’s absolutely heartbreaking — I’m so sorry for their loss.
Thank you for sharing this. It’s such an important reminder that both cyclists and drivers need to stay alert and look out for each other. One distracted moment can change everything.
And what a powerful legacy through organ donation — even in tragedy, he helped others.