Heartless Cyclist Haters

A local, cyclist was killed this morning, and the local newspapers website allows for people to make comments on the article. I'm just sickened by the the hateful comments condemning all cyclists, calling for them to be banned from roads because motorists feel they are "arrogant stop sign runners". Can't these people wait more then an hour before airing their hatred in public. I can't see how people can be so heartless as to blame her for simply using the road while not being in a car. It was a horrific accident that took the life of a human, how can people lose sight of that so quickly?

can you post the link to the article?

It's in the Santa Rosa Democrat - very graphic write up. And yeah a lot of the responses seemed to lose sight of the fact that we are talking about a person.

I had no idea the people in Sonoma had so much hatred towards cyclists.

V.

I believe the person they are talking about is my cousins fiance, Kathy.

I just got an e-mail from my Mom this moment. I'm trying to call my Mom but her line's busy.

I am so sad.

Trek? I am so sorry.

Trek, I'm sorry to hear this hit close to home. Kathy was a wonderful person. I'd been on a few club rides with her and worked at one of the WCC reststops that she ran. Afterwards she always greeted me like we'd been friends for much longer.


As Veronica stated,the article is pretty graphic, maybe unnecessarily so.


http://preview.tinyurl.com/ybt67q

We had the same reaction when I cyclist was killed here in April. It is just sick that people lose sight of the fact that a human was killed.

I am sorry for her family and friend's loss.

I studied journalism in college and think this is a terrible piece. There is no reason for it to be so graphic. The story is written in very poor taste.

Trek, I am so sorry. That article and all the posts make the hurt even worse.

I know that area well. My inlaws live about a half mile away, and we lived about two blocks away at one time. This particular intersection can be hairy. I used to run in the area, and that was before the huge population growth. Sor very sad for her and her family, as well as the garbage truck driver. I really don't think he saw her. I would imagine that he is going to carry what he did with him for the rest of his life. Very sad on both sides.
Now the comments on the PD site are outrageous! Some of them make me shake with anger. :mad: The arrogance and entitlement some folks have is just maddening.
But right now I'm going to go say a prayer for this lady and her family as well as the truck driver. That intersection is rather tight and I really could see him not seeing her.
Sad, so sad.. :(
So this is someone you knew trek? :(
Be safe folks!
Denise

This is terrible! So sorry, Trek.

I am so sorry Trek - big hug.

I just got the email from my mom. I thought Kathy and Maury had postponed the wedding, but the Press Democrat article called her a newlywed. Could be they just postponed the party. And now, because the truck driver who says he "saw her in the bike lane 100 yards back" had already forgotten her after waiting for the light to turn green, now it's just a tragic irony either way. And to think that complete strangers are so hateful as to spew out slander about "arrogant" bikers. Kathy was a bright, smiling inspiration to patients, family, friends, colleagues. Arrogance is what those folks see in their mirrors!

Oh what a tragedy. :( I'm so sorry Trek, Duck, uk and the rest of your family for your loss. Big hugs and prayers for you all.

I went on and read the article. How insensitive can one person get? There was no need for the graphic story. That's irresponsible journalism, period. :mad: How did that possibly get past the editor? I'm just a freelancer and don't do the more serious topics, but if I handed a story in like that on any subject, I'd get chucked out the door with a boot up my you-know-what. And I'd deserve it.

I agree, some of the replies are simply maddening.

I am just beside myself! I am sooooo sorry for your loss this is awful! My prayers go out to you and yours! I will light a candle tonight in honor of your lost one!!! I am crying right now! :(

Trek, I am so, so sorry for your loss. It's just not right. :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Duck on Wheels

I just got the email from my mom. I thought Kathy and Maury had postponed the wedding, but the Press Democrat article called her a newlywed. Could be they just postponed the party. And now, because the truck driver who says he "saw her in the bike lane 100 yards back" had already forgotten her after waiting for the light to turn green, now it's just a tragic irony either way. And to think that complete strangers are so hateful as to spew out slander about "arrogant" bikers. Kathy was a bright, smiling inspiration to patients, family, friends, colleagues. Arrogance is what those folks see in their mirrors!

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Ditto to you, Duck. So sorry.

Duck, Trek & Uk, I'm sorry to hear about your family's loss.

The article's author needs a slap for thier insensitivity.

c

I just want to thank TE friends for all their support. This morning, as I struggle to find words to write to Kathy's husband and in-laws, it's a double comfort to turn to the words from TE "strangers" and note that it's not so much the words themselves that matter as the knowledge that there are true feelings of support behind them. The support does help, and just now knowing that the support helps no matter how its worded helps too.

I'm in tears, too. I am so sorry about this tragic loss. Seems there's no such thing as a stranger anymore.

so awful, so awful. it makes me so sad when we lose a fellow cyclist.

so sorry for your loss for those of you who knew her :(

Sending my sympathies for this tragic loss.:(

I rode through the intersection this afternoon. There are so many flowers you can barely see the ghost bike that was put up.

So terribly terribly sad. And such insensitive moronic responses from some of those people.

We all know how dangerous it can be out there in traffic. The more we know about preventative maneuvers, the safer we will be. All of us should take a moment to read this page with reminders on avoiding getting hit:
http://bicyclesafe.com/
We should read as much as we can about traffic/bike safety strategies.
My own method is to get right in the middle of the lane at an intersection if I am going to go straight- I "take the lane".
If I'm going to turn right, I hug the right side and let the car next to me go a bit ahead of me to see what they do. If I'm going to turn left, I hug the left side of the lane and watch for any straight oncoming driver. If I'm going straight, I get right in the middle as though I was a car, rather than waiting next to a car in the lane. Of course every traffic situation is slightly different and may call for varied tactics. The more avoidence and safety strategies we have in our minds the better.
Perhaps reading one of these safety tips will help prevent another tragedy somehow, somewhere.
Perhaps in the future a biking safety course could be started in her honor by the hospital where she worked, or in conjunction with the local school.

I am so appalled at this heartbreaking tragedy to this woman who obviously spent her life caring for others in pain and need. May she be properly honored and remembered by her community.
(and may that journalist be assigned to get some sensitivity training and put in some community service time at the local ER).

My heartfelt condolences and sympathy to her family.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trek420

I believe the person they are talking about is my cousins fiance, Kathy.

I just got an e-mail from my Mom this moment. I'm trying to call my Mom but her line's busy.

I am so sad.

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Trek: So very sorry for you and your cousin. I can't imagine what that loss must feel like.

It is shame that people will use such a horrible loss like this to attack cyclists. I think you will find that more people will support the cycling community and the cycling community will come together like you have never seen before. There are always those few who are the bad element; and give a group a bad name. So, have faith, I think you will find much more support than negative effect from your poor relative's death!

Have faith in people's good intentions!

My condolences to those of you who have been personally impacted by this tragic event. And to the rest of us who have been affected by it simply on a human level.

While I can accept the tragedy of the event itself, I cannot accept the heartless and thoughtless article written by Mary Callahan. I don't even live in the area, but I am considering writing a letter to the paper there. How grossly inappropriate to create such a despicably graphic tale of events. Has she no soul?

Trek, Duck and UK -

I am so sorry for your family's loss. And a loss to the cycling community in general. How very sad.

I just wanted to echo everyone's sentiments. I just hate to hear about any cyclist being hurt or killed. To know that Kathy's death personally impacted anyone on TE just makes it that much worse. My thoughts are with you....

Hugs,

Kate

Deanna "I rode through the intersection this afternoon. There are so many flowers you can barely see the ghost bike that was put up"

that's very heartening to see people pull together, Kathy was a very special woman. I will try to hold onto the memory of the last time I saw them, that was on the Amgen the first day and time trial.

Spazzdog and I had walked up to the end of the stage near Coit Tower when I heard a familiar voice yell "Hey Cuz!!" It was Maury and Kathy.

They'd ridden into the city (not from Santa Rosa though I would not put that past them) and were there with their bikes. She was beaming, they looked so happy together.

I remember that and many other times.

Wow. Always tragic, and doubly so when it hits so close to home.
My condolences to you and your family.

Trek and Duck... I am so sorry for your loss. I am thinking of you both and Maury.

Trek and Duck and UK, I'm so sorry! How horrible! How insensitive people can be! Trek I hope you've responded to that article to make those losers realise it doesn't stop with a cyclist, There's her family, friends, her fiancee to think of as well!

NO cyclists should not be banned. Drivers do need to take more care on the road (as do we)

Everyone PLEASE be careful.

I'm doing Amy's Ride in two weeks (Amy Gillet). AGF is a foundation promoting Drivers awareness of cyclists and visa versa. May I write KATHY on one of the charity wristbands I'll be buying when I enter? I don't even know her but would like to just show my support to your family trek n Duck.

I know she's half a world away. But a tradgedy is a tradgedy no matter where you are in the world. I'm so sorry.

Duck and UK - I'm so sorry about this. I only just read the article (Trek told me not to, but once I got home I did).

{{{{{{{{Trek, Duck and UK}}}}}}}},

I send deepest sympathies to you and your family. That is so very sad. I will say a prayer for you.

Carole

light_sabe_r asks "May I write KATHY on one of the charity wristbands I'll be buying when I enter? I don't even know her but would like to just show my support to your family trek n Duck."

Thanks, we'd appreciate it. :o Have a great ride.

I'm so sorry.

It is tragic, sad, and disheartening- all at the same time.

I'm just very, very sorry.

obit's here

http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/p...333/1052/OBITS

*Wipes tears*

I am truly very sorry for your loss... Trek, UK and Duck. How absolutely horrible.

I wish there is more I could say... but I am at a loss for words.

That's ok, you don't have to say anything. Thanks to all here on TE, you gals have been great and it means a lot. Poor Knotted was on the phone with me when I found out and thanks hun for being there and on my first ride after. I'm going to the memorial on Saturday.

Knowing Kathy I think I can say that she wants us all to keep riding.

You're more than welcome, my dear.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trek420

That's ok, you don't have to say anything. Thanks to all here on TE, you gals have been great and it means a lot. Poor Knotted was on the phone with me when I found out and thanks hun for being there and on my first ride after. I'm going to the memorial on Saturday.

Knowing Kathy I think I can say that she wants us all to keep riding.

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Hi Trek,

The Santa Rosa Cycling Club will be having a ride of silence to the memorial. If you, or any other nearby TE'rs would like to participate let me know and I'll post the details. We've been told that cycling apparel is appropriate for the service.

Deanna