BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

Nice reaction by the bus driver!

The Bethlehem cops followed up on stupid video comments, too. Yay Bethlehem!

I want to hug that bus driver.

Thumbs up to the bus driver. I was not expecting to see that.

is there a way that Bike-Pgh can send that bus driver a plaque in recognition of his situational awareness, resourcefulness, initiative and human decency ? (or something like that)

No joke, I cant believe at Port Authority driver acted like that. Hats off to them.

Richard Gubish, Jr. of the LANTA system, per linked blog post on the YouTube video:

http://bethlehempolice.blogspot.com/2012/04/press-release-city-honors-two-citizens.html

Commendations can be put here :

http://www.lantabus.com/onlinecontactform.html

That's wonderful. I relish the thought of the feeling that must have been in the pit of this kid's stomach when he saw that bus and realized, "fuuuuuu....".

So if there's any doubt as to the necessity or usefulness of the new law, this blows it away, applied THE SAME DAY it went into effect. Doesn't always happen.

"A savior is born in Bethlehem"

The colors make the eggs more tasty this time of year.

Wrote my commendation. Wow, on so many levels.

Channel 4 just aired the story about this and how the bus driver and the teen in the car who tried to chase the perp got recognized at a ceremony.

The whole thing reminds me of what happened to Don Parker - but with no footage, no consequence, and no commendation. Was flip flop boy ever charged with anything for killing Don? Ticketed for anything? Seems like flip flop kid's parent's had good connections... the story pretty much was disappeared as far as I can tell.

Let's not forget the two doctors. That case is technically still open, but has anyone ever come up with a good lead on who ran them over? That story, too, has gotten very cold.

as a bus driver its good to see he makes us look good

I just posted this on the 4 ft. law comments thread, where Caitlin (or someone) had posted this video.

Fahy Bridge in Bethlehem was where an experienced cyclist was killed earlier this year or late last year. I can't remember all the details, but I think it was a very mature woman driver, claimed the sun was in her eyes, and no charges were filed. Didn't someone from this board either attend the memorial service or at least post photos of it? Obviously not the same incident posted here, but makes me NOT want to ride the Fahy Bridge in Bethlehem!

Edited to add:

Yep, I was right....Ytsma was the other guy! December 4th, so just 4 months ago, another bike accident with fatality on the same bridge!

Coincidentally, both victims appear to have been involved in cyclist safety, as noted here:

Another bicycle vs. motor vehicle accident on the Fahy Bridge

Total People in Discussion: 1

Posted (in the McCall blog) by Dan Hartzell at 07:01:20 PM on April 3, 2012

On the very day that Pennsylvania's new law went into effect requiring motorists to give bicyclists a space of at least four feet when passing, Bethlehem police reported another case of a cyclist being struck by a car on the Fahy Bridge. It happened between 3 and 4 p.m. yesterday.

In a previous accident, Patrick Ytsma of Bethlehem was hit by a car while riding his bike on the Fahy on Dec. 4, and died from his injuries in St. Luke's Hospital, Fountain Hill, four days later. In an ironic twist, Ytsma, a 53-year-old father of two, had been an outspoken advocate for bicycling safety for many years.

"We are just clearing another vehicle v. bicycle accident on Fahy Bridge," Bethlehem cops reported at 3:51 p.m. yesterday on their Twitter feed, lamenting the latest mishap. "PLEASE pay attention when driving! It may be worth a life," the officers pleaded.

The Coalition for Appropriate Transportation subsequently reported the victim was Frank Pavlick, a certified cycling instructor, and that he "miraculously" escaped serious injury. That's great news.

I rode over that bridge with a friend on December 24, 2007. We crossed about 2 PM, and had no trouble riding with the light traffic. The bridge leads into the historic district of Bethlehem. Turning left takes you towards the Moravian church, Moravian bookstore (oldest continuously operating bookstore in the world), and the Hotel Bethlehem.

The historic district was pretty bike friendly, if too hilly for my poor legs. There was room at the inn for two bike tourists - the hotel doorman took my grimy bike up to my room for me as luggage.

The ride into Bethlehem was a little hairy - the roads leading to the bridge were steep and full of traffic even on Christmas Eve. But still the two of us had no trouble negotiating the traffic.

Based on how friendly everyone was during our visit, I'm not surprised at the actions of the bus driver. I am surprised at two accidents on that bridge in six months.