Another car strike

[cyclingnewbie]

I can't believe it! Another cyclist was hit by a car in our area. What really shook me up is that it was at the other end of my neighborhood. Hubby keeps asking why I can't just ride in the neighborhood instead of using gas to drive to the bike path. There's not much traffic on residential streets, right? Hah! This rider got plowed down when someone turned into their driveway and never saw the bike. I haven't heard any other details, other than the injuries were bad enough for the guy to end up in the hospital. Fortunately, he was wearing a helmet. There is a reason I hate riding on the streets and prefer the bike path! Now I will be nervous in my own neighborhood.

[DebW]

Scary and unfortunate that a cyclist was hit in your neighborhood. But don't let the fear keep you from riding on the road if that's what you want to do. Pedestrians get hit too, yet we keep walking on roads. Wear a helmet, be visible, develop good bike handling skills, stay alert, but RIDE! Enjoy the bike path, but someday you'll want longer distances and don't let fear keep you off the roads.

[Blueberry]

Please don't let this keep you home!!!! An appropriate amount of caution is a good thing, but driving a car is a quite dangerous thing to do, when you look at the stats. Keep pedaling, be aware and enjoy your rides!!!

[Geonz]

Where was the bike? Road or sidewalk? There are more accidents from cars not seeing riders on bike paths and sidewalks than there are riders on the roads... tho' obviously this guy has changed the stats for your town. I'd be noivous too...

http://www.electriccyclery.com/catalog/ways-thru-a-13.html - ways to prevent accidents.

I try to ride as if anybody going by me is going to turn in front of me if that's possible. (There isn't *that* much traffic on my route so that doesn't mean too much slowing down.) For wahtever reason, it seems they have more trouble seeing me bakcing *out* of the driveway. I also ride a little bit "out there" in the road, and then pull in a little closer as a car gets nearer. I'm more confident that I'm being seen, and by moving I'm telling the car I see it (and maybe it gets me a brownie point for moving over a little, sorta like those instinctive gestures dogs make at each other :-)). (I have a helmet mirror.)

[cyclingnewbie]

The rider would have been in the road. When I'm on the streets, I try to ride in the right tire lane so cars are clear that I am taking my place on the road. It usually discourages drivers from trying to pass. But this was an ordinary residential street!