Local cyclist killed

[fixedgeargirl]

From the Austin American-Statesman:


An Austin woman was killed Monday in a cycling accident near Bee Cave Road and Loop 360, authorities said.

Texas Department of Public Safety officials said Gay Simmons, 40, was traveling north on her bike on an exit ramp of Loop 360 when a trailer on the back of a Chevrolet utility van clipped her.

Simmons landed on the street during the 12:30 p.m. accident and was struck by an unknown gray or silver car, authorities said. Investigators are looking for the driver of that car, which they think may have received front bumper damage.

This is a very popular road for training. It's a two-lane divided highway with really wide shoulders and one particular hill where I've clocked my fastest speed since getting a computer (45 mph :eek: , it'd be higher if the hill were longer :p :eek: !)

I ride this road almost weekly. I studied the picture in the paper this morning but couldn't tell *exactly* where the accident occurred. An eerie thing about the photo of her bike in the paper: her shoes were stilll on the pedals :( . I've gotten kind of blase' about riding 360, not anymore.

[Derf]

Ugh. That is just terrible. Two riders were killed last year here on PCH in Malibu. Cycling has made me a much better driver. People need to pay attention to their driving and not to their phones, etc.

[Grog]

How awful...

I understand how accidents can happen with trailers. Yesterday I was riding on the (reasonably wide) shoulder of a popular training route. I was passed by a truck which was at a reasonable distance but then I was passed by the trailer that the truck was pulling, and geez that was close!!! The trailer was wider than the truck, and if I had swerved by a hair when passed by the truck I was hitting it. Very scary...

Be careful out there ladies.

[luv'nAustin]

I also ride this stretch. We usually start from the Starbucks and either stay 360 or use that exit ramp to get onto Bee Caves. So sad. I was in the parking lot when it happened and when I went home 360 was shut down.

Be safe out there.

[fixedgeargirl]

luv'n which exit was it? I don't know where the Starbucks is.

[Aggie_Ama]

I believe it is where you get off 360 to go onto Bee Caves Road (if you are riding the Dam Loop). My husband and I have done this ride a couple times, but I only like to ride the route on Sunday morning. This is UT's training route and 360 Cycleworks recommends it to their customers.

I agree, being a cyclist makes me a better driver. I am always watching the cyclist and commuters.

FixedGear- Was the Tumbleweed Hill on 2222 you got that speed? I got up to 47.1 mph there! :eek: That to me is the scariest part because the hill has NO shoulder.

[Waverly]

That is awful and would definitely freak me out if I rode there often. We have had people fall and be badly hurt around here, but I don't know anyone that has been hit recently. That is just awful for her family.

Jessica

[luv'nAustin]

It is that exit, but I believe that you are thinking of the wrong side of 360. I have done the Dam Loop with this group and we exit 360 and go right onto Bee Caves. I think she was going north. Her bike outline is spray painted on 360. They say it happened on the exit ramp, but it really is just before the ramp. I believe (just a guess) that she was going to continue on 360 and slowed for the truck to pass and exit onto Bee Caves (on her left) when she planned to merge left (to continue straight) herself, but didn't anticipate the trailer behind the truck, pulled out too soon and clipped it. I could see that happening so easily.

It really is chilling to see the shoes still clipped into the pedals.

Be safe and ride smart.

[doc]

Ugh. How awful. The first driver was awfully stupid not knowing what his trailer would do. The second guy is downright criminal. And heartless. And I hope he/she is caught and prosecuted.

[Shimpie]

Eeek!! What horrible news.

Trailers always give me the creeps. Most people drive way too fast with a trailer and don't double check all the blind spots (lots with a trailer). They don't have an exact concept of how wide they are, so they'll pass WAY too close. I especially steer clear of the weekend desert crowd. So Cal folks will pile up their dirt bikes and atvs in the "toy box" and bolt for the desert on a Friday afternoon.

Also, you wouldn't believe how many trailers aren't attached properly. More than a few times, I've seen safety chains just dangling uselessly. And don't get me started on unconnected brake lights!!

I really believe trailers above a certain size require a driver's test prior to purchase.:mad:

[fixedgeargirl]

luv'n, let me see if I got this straight, it's the actual Bee Caves exit where Pot and Plants (the flamingoes) is? That is the scariest ever-exit to negotiate. I think from now on I will take the exit off and go through the light and re-enter 360.

Ama, I hit that speed on the hill going north on 360 just after you pass the Bee Caves entrance lane. I usually get to 42/43, I had a tail wind the day I hit 45 :D ! Tell me, where is this Tumbleweed Hill, I like the sound of it :D !

[Aggie_Ama]

Tumbleweed Hill is the BIG hill on 2222 after you turn off 620. If you were coming from Mansfield Dam and turned right onto 620 you would hit a big downhill. That is Tumbleweed Hill. There used to be a restaurant at the top called the Texas Tumbleweed, hence the name (a little Austin trivia- hehe). My daredevil husband got to 55 mph last time going down it. I am a little more timid and feathered the brakes. ;)

[Grog]

I just read this on the local newspaper's web site:
http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/talk/2006/04/18/what_is_the_most_dangerous_int.html

I am a bit troubled by some of the posts. Nobody thinks, "Well, maybe cars should just slow down a bit", sometimes? Of course not.

Side streets and bike paths... that's great for a 5 k ride, but it doesn't take you very far beyond that.

Anyway, I leave it to that, make your own opinion. I think it's interesting to read what motorists think once in a while, and last time I checked the comments were rather civilized...

[bikerchick68]

fixed... last year I reported a story of a Marine Corps Captain that was killed here... it was also a hit and run (they caught the guy later and he is now serving time...)

anyway, I understand how weird this must be for you... the day the Captain was killed I overslept or I would have been riding that VERY SAME stretch of road at just about the same time... it really freaked me out... and I haven't commuted since then. I do plan to this year again now that the time has changed... but last year, man, it was just unnerving. There is still a roadside memorial up with a bike painted completely white leaning againt a Marin Corps Flag... and his bike helmet on one side and flack helmet on the other...:(

[luv'nAustin]

Fixed gear girl, You are close, but you are thinking of the entrance ramp from Bee Caves onto 360. This happened at the top of the exit ramp apx. one block before that entrance ramp. I saw the outline again this morning and now I think it happened right after she merged from the shoulder into the triangle area that would have kept her going straight on 360. So she would have been clipped on her right side by the left side of the trailer. Does this make sense? However it happened, those exit and entrance ramps are disasters and should never be taken lightly.

Still not many bikers on 360 today.

[Aggie_Ama]

Cyclist to be treated, released after collision with 18-wheeler
Cedar Park woman knocked unconscious by morning wreck.
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
A 49-year-old Cedar Park woman riding a bicycle collided with an 18-wheeled truck in Cedar Park around 8:45 a.m. today but will be treated and released from Brackenridge Hospital, officials said.

Police said Bridget Holliday was biking west in the 3800 block of FM 1431, also called Whitestone Boulevard in that area, when she hit the back axle of the truck after it pulled out of a driveway and was turning east.

Holliday was airlifted to Brackenridge unconscious and with apparent head injuries, police said. Hospital officials said shortly before noon today that she would be treated and released.

Investigators said Holliday was wearing protective head gear and was riding legally on the roadway. She left tire skid marks in front of the truck from trying to stop, police said. No citations against the truck driver had been issued but police said the accident was still being investigated.

[Geonz]

And unfortunately there will be people who simply think, sincerely (and nice people to boot), "well, she really just shouldn't be riding near 18-wheelers!"

Kinda like, "well, you really should know better than to walk down *that* street!" ... except some people live there...

[Trek420]

I'm glad to hear that she survived and is being released though. :o Bodes well for her although head injuries can be lasting.

[nitamd]

Such tragedy... that needs discussion, needs awareness. I encourage all of you to check out the Ride of Silence (website: www.rideofsilence.org). This is an annual ride, in memorium of fallen cyclists or those that have been injured. The ride originated in Dallas, TX when Chris Phalen chose to recognize his dear friend that was clipped by a cars rear view mirror. The ride is on the third Wednesday of May, begins at 7pm and is a 10 mile ride, ridden in silence. If your community does not have the ride organized, take the challenge and sign up on-line (I am taking on the organization of the Austin, TX ride). The ride is about awareness, it's about comfort for those grieving, and it is unifying.

[bikerchick68]

I think almost the entire club I ride with is doing Ride of Silence... It will be my first one and I am glad I'm riding it.

[markpedal]

Please everyone, attend a Ride of Silence in your area, to let the motoring public know we're out there, becareful and Share the Road with us.

Together we can make a difference.

markpedal
Ride of Silence, Michigan Director
Ride of Silence, 2005-06 Grand Rapids Organizer
www.rideofsilence.org

I'm proud to say Michigan is leading the world with 25 locations, thanks to the dedication of our bike clubs and bike shops statewide. The R of S is now in 221 cities worldwide, in 8 countries and 5 continents.

An article in May 5th Grand Rapids Press. It will be on line for 14 days.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?D1D03111D