Ugh, that sucks... its certainly easy to be moving pretty fast at that point. Hoping for the best.
2012-05-30 14:07:23
14
Cyclist hit in Crafton
My husband said he saw a cyclist in an ambulance this morning who was in a wreck with a car in Crafton.
He said it looked like the cyclist was coming down Steuben St into Crafton when a tan Jeep Cherokee turned left out of Grace Street (2 blocks before Noble).
It appears the cyclist hit the Jeep's passenger side.
Cyclist who was hit, if you read this, I hope you're OK. Let me know if we can help out at all - I live about a block from that intersection.
For those of you who tally bike/car accidents, all of Crafton's emergency team was turned out - three cops, one ambulance, and one fire rescue.
And for everyone else, stay safe. This is the second bike crash I've heard of in 2 weeks where a car turned left in front of a fast-moving downhill cyclist.
2012-05-30 13:49:20
I've started using my front light on my morning sun-already-well-up commute. It has already prevented two drivers from pulling out in front of me and/or left-crossing me.
2012-05-30 15:08:56
Damn, that sucks. Those screaming downhills are great but you have to keep an eye on the side streets. That stretch through there seems to get a little clustered up in the morning.
An annoying blinking front light even in daylight does seem to make a noticeable difference.
2012-05-30 15:27:03
@edmonds59 annoying blinking front light even in daylight does seem to make a noticeable difference
I'm probably the one who speakds out most about annoying blright blinking lights pointing into people's eyes at night - and even I think bright blinking front lights during the day are an excellent idea (although I only sometimes use them).
I don't mean what I say as any criticism. I hope the guy in Crafton is OK.
2012-05-30 16:02:49
This is kind of why I want a light with a PB Superflash style flash pattern but one that is actually bright and doesn't suck.
2012-05-30 16:36:41
Of course, since I'm the one who brought it up, I certainly do not intend to lay any blame in the direction of the cyclist. A driver who can't see even a ninja-black rider on a black bicycle in broad daylight has no business behind the wheel.
I mentioned it only because turning my own light on had such an immediate effect, and so few other cyclists use them during the day.
2012-05-30 16:44:25
+1 for lights
I ride with pretty much all my lights on all the time now (I have a .5 watt, 1 watt, and 2 watt rear)
2012-05-30 16:46:11
I use a helmet light all the time, bike mounted front light all the time, and two blinkies (seat post and seat stay) all the time. Few issues being seen, more issues from people who didn't care.
A 750 lumen slow flash is not ideal but it is noticed.
2012-05-30 16:57:18
I have a light on my helmet and one on my handlebars, and they are both always on, as is my superflash taillight (which once even got an appreciative "that's even visible in daylight!" comment from a pedestrian...).
2012-05-30 17:39:52
If only the driver had used his "brake pedal" instead of the adjacent "gas pedal". Use of the "brake pedal" is 100% effective in preventing drivers from pulling out in front of cyclists, unlike having a light on your bicycle in broad daylight which has yet to be proven effective in preventing cyclists from getting creamed by cars.
2012-05-30 17:40:26
> I certainly do not intend to lay any blame in the direction of the cyclist. A driver who can't tell which pedal is which has no business behind the wheel.
2012-05-30 17:49:14
Does anyone have more info about this? Did the driver stop after the accident? Will he be cited for failure to yield (and/or whatever other violations are appropriate)?
2012-05-30 18:45:31
When my husband passed the scene, the Jeep was stopped, the cops were there, and the cyclist was in the ambulance.
So I would say that the driver stopped (unless he/she took off on foot).
Crafton does have a police blotter, but it is spotty at best. It will be hard to know about charges unless I chat up the cops or neighbors who know the cops.
2012-05-30 19:16:59