Fatality

Date: Sep 18, 2006

Fatality

Date: Sep 18, 2006

Here is another link for the Observer story http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/15545943.htm regarding the death of 15 year-old cyclist Rachel Giblin. What an unbelievably tragic loss of a very promising young human life, not to mention that she was a fellow cyclist, a kid, and on a charity ride with her whole family…

We, as cyclists, must always stress bike and car safety every single time we ride AND every single time we talk about riding to anyone who drives an automobile. How very sad…

Date: Sep 18, 2006

Wow, that is really a tremendous tragedy. Seems like they were doing everything right.

Sometimes I wonder if riding too close to the edge of the road encourages vehicles to try and squeeze by in the lane when there isn't really enough room. Wonder if this could have been the case here?

Jon

Date: Sep 18, 2006

Gee, Blame the 3 people who were hit by this driver while the family of 4 rode their bicycles in a mass event with 1000+ cyclists on the road. Riding too close to the road? How about - charge this driver with reckless driving and manslaughter, throw him in jail for years, and publicize the unsafe and illegal driving so that others can learn.

Bruce

Date: Sep 18, 2006

Bruce - you need to re-read my post before you jump all over me.

I said that it seemed like they were doing everything right - how is that blaming them? And I didn't say that they were maybe riding too close to the road, I wondered if they were riding too close to the EDGE of the road, the opposite of what you suggest that I said.

Then I wondered aloud whether their riding close to the edge of the pavement encouraged the driver to try and squeeze by when there really was not enough room. The reason I asked this was because I was hoping for some intelligent discussion. I believe that there are times where it may be safer to take more of your lane, so that the traffic behind you doesn't feel tempted to try and squeeze by in your lane when there is oncoming traffic.

If you travel a bit further out in your lane, then there is not room for the passing vehicle to pass you until there is no oncoming traffic and they can pull into the oncoming traffic lane to make the passing maneuver.

My apologies for attempting to enter into intelligent discourse and examine the options for a scary scenario that we all face far too often.

Jon

Date: Sep 19, 2006

-What a tragedy! I ride 4000 to 5000 miles every year and am constantly amazed by drivers who can't wait to pass until it is safe to do so. There is no excuse, especially in a mass ride of this size, for such blatant disregard for human life!

-Yes Jon, I do advocate taking my share of the road and forcing the traffic to have to pass me instead of trying to slide by me. I teach all new cyclists to ride this way. I know that this technique has kept me alive over the years. This also helps to enforce the message to motorists that bicycles are legal traffic and have a right to be on the road. As long as people continue to think that bicycles are toys, and should be ridden on sidewalks, we will continue to be disrespected by some drivers.

-Yes Bruce, This driver must be charged and have the book thrown at him. People do need to know that this will not be accepted. Traditionally, it seems that automobile drivers do get off with little or no consequences, in this kind of accident. We need an active education campaign in this state, to teach drivers how to coexist with bicyclists. Let's start by throwing this jerk in jail!

trout

Date: Sep 19, 2006

If you noticed from the news, it looked like the truck was a "dually" with huge mirrors, a large trailer, and WSOC reported that it "side-swipped" both Rachel and her brother (on a tandem) and her mom (on her own bike). There were 2,000 cyclists, rest stops, signs, SAG vehicles, etc. yet, the SC Hwy Patrol will be deciding "later in the week" if they will even cite the driver...now, if you have ever rode your bike under the delusion that folks won't run you down and not even be cited for a traffic violation, you are not paying attention. As a cyclist we GOTTA be careful--but as taxpayers and citizens we gotta DEMAND better enforcement of the law.

Ride on, and whether it is on the left, or the right, or you got a mirror, or a flashing lite, or you are wearing day-glo orange, be freakin careful. Call somebody, or write a letter--maybe we can all do something to effect some change. Riding on a trainer in the garage just ain't the same...

Date: Sep 19, 2006

I meant to type "edge of" the road. My point was not to jump all over you or stifle intelligent discussion. My point is that we need to always take the stance that the driver of the car is the one solely responsible for ensuring that they safely pass a bicycle. While debating where we should be positioned in the road is useful for us, the discussion could be used in defense of the driver to argue contributory responsibility on the part of the person (or people in this case) hit. Regardless of whether a cyclist is on the shoulder, just left of the white line, or just right of the center line, it is solely the responsibility of the overtaking driver to pass only when, where, and how it is safe. Failure to do so is solely the responsibility of the overtaking driver regardless of where the cyclist was in the lane. Same as passing another car or a motorcycle.

Date: Sep 19, 2006

Just for edification North Carolina Law requires: "...(a) bicyclist must travel in the right-hand lane and should ride as close a practicable to the right-hand edge of the highway. [~20-146(a)(1)] Exceptions to this law are provided when the bicyclist is making theses maneuvers:

- Passing another vehicle moving in the same direction [~20-146(a)(1)]

- Avoiding a dangerious obstruction [~20-146(a)(2)]

- Riding on a one-way street [~20-146(a)(4)]

- Preparing for a left turn. [~20-146(e)]

This does not obviate any responsibility of the over-taking vehicle to pass safely.

Date: Sep 19, 2006

Say I was wondering - most of us seem to be from NC and pretty familiar with the laws in our state. Are their significant differences in SC that we should be aware of (for instance is a bicycle not considered a vehicle with right to the road, etc?)

Thanks,

Jon

Date: Sep 19, 2006

I am SC, although I live right on the border and ride both NC and SC roads 3-4 times a week. I have written the Governor, all my Senators and Reps, the SCDOT, the Safe Kids' Coalition, The Palmetto Cycling Commision, the media, MS, and this message board because, as I mentioned in an earlier post, I do ride under the delusion that motorists won't run me down--but if they do they will at least get a traffic citation. Are any of you an attorney? Please advise--if you run me down while trying to pass me and I am to the right of my lane, you are at fault?

Date: Sep 20, 2006

For information on SC laws concerning road bikes you might contact the Rock Hill cycling club. They have a contact who specializes in working with cyclist on legal matters in South Carolina.

Date: Sep 24, 2006

Looking for information on NC bike law? Go to this site: http://www.ncdot.org/transit/bicycle/laws/laws_bikelaws.html