1 killed at Mexican bike race

[NoNo]

This picture has me stunned. It's a shame anyone died, but it's amazing it's only 1 person.

Monterrey Race

[Aggie_Ama]

I can usually handle gruesome photos but this one left me shaking. My degree is in journalism and we had many discussions about photos like this. Normally I would be against publishing this but as a cyclists I think they need to be put out there. I would assume in Mexico they close roads for races like they do in the US? Or at very least have traffic control? This is horrific.

[Fredwina]

My understanding is that the driver ran a police roadblock

[Blueberry]

So scary. And it was (maybe still is) the lead photo on MSNBC. Just horrific. I still hadn't gotten over a drunk college kid hitting and killing a cyclist near us (and 2 other cyclists being hit - one in a hit and run), and another was hit and killed this AM (I posted in a separate thread). Just horrible.

Horrific as this photo is, though - I'm glad to see if on the news. Drivers need to realize what the consequences of running down cyclists can be.

CA

[hermitclub]

This is incredibly disturbing. We were just having a discussion about the dangers road cycling this morning at work.

Here is a link to the story:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,362147,00.html

[lph]

This is an AWFUL picture

I don't mind anyone posting it here, of course, but my boss sent it around at work with a warning to the cyclists to "be careful", and people were sort of joking about it at a meeting right afterwards! That really bothered me - I mean I can see that it's a spectacular sort of photo that people can't relate to and view almost abstractly like a horror story or something - but I DO relate to it and it's gutwrenching to look at.

[Blueberry]

This is an AWFUL picture

I don't mind anyone posting it here, of course, but my boss sent it around at work with a warning to the cyclists to "be careful", and people were sort of joking about it at a meeting right afterwards! That really bothered me - I mean I can see that it's a spectacular sort of photo that people can't relate to and view almost abstractly like a horror story or something - but I DO relate to it and it's gutwrenching to look at.

I don't think I'd be happy with the workplace reaction. UGH. How 'bout this is why you shouldn't drive sleep deprived and drunk. There's no amount of "being careful" that will help you if some drunk idiot decides you're target practice

(Sorry - I'm venting today - while I wait to see if the cyclist killed this AM near my house is someone I know).

CA

[LBTC]

Gutwrenching! Yikes! I can't help but notice there are no brake lights. WTF? It takes all my energy to send my butterflies to the terribly disturbed individual who must have been driving.

Sending many many healing butterflies to all of the riders in the race, to all those injured, to the family of the cyclist killed, and to all cyclists who view this photo and have to think about the possibilities out there.

Hugs, too
~T~

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Gutwrenching! Yikes! I can't help but notice there are no brake lights. WTF? It takes all my energy to send my butterflies to the terribly disturbed individual who must have been driving.

Drunk.

[kat_h]

Gutwrenching! Yikes! I can't help but notice there are no brake lights. WTF? It takes all my energy to send my butterflies to the terribly disturbed individual who must have been driving.
~T~

The article I read said he fell asleep because he was drunk.

It's scary. All of my lights and reflective tape are great when drivers are sober, sane, and smart. What can you do when drivers are drunk or asleep like this guy, deliberate like the Australia crash, or playing with with their gps instead of looking at the road?

[Blueberry]

It's scary. All of my lights and reflective tape are great when drivers are sober, sane, and smart. What can you do when drivers are drunk or asleep like this guy, deliberate like the Australia crash, or playing with with their gps instead of looking at the road?

It's scary. period. He could just as easily have hit a child or another car. Lots of people are killed in cars by drunk drivers too (I know - I'm preaching to the choir, so to speak). At least bikes might have a chance of getting out of the way. Not usually so in a car. We somehow have to change the mentality of drivers - you are operating a deadly weapon. You cannot be drunk, read, put on makeup, watch a movie or tend to your child while doing this. And there should be severe consequences for those who choose to put others' lives at risk by doing so.

CA

[Aggie_Ama]

The local article said this was a fun/family ride not a race. One of the critically injured is reportedly a 14 year old! The driver also admitted to taking cocaine that morning. It is hard to get this image out of my head.

[Duck on Wheels]

According to my local paper here in Norway, two are now dead and several are still listed as in critical condition. As for changing drivers' attitudes ... I think once you're high on cocain and drunk on alcohol, both at the same time, you're not thinking much at all. In fact, you probably weren't thinking much at all before then when you decided to take the cocain and the alcohol. Together. This is a guy who's addicted. What thoughts he has are probably all focused on how to get his next hit. What might have helped in this case is an alco-lock on the car. And maybe also a blood test drug analysis lock, if there were such a thing, where if you don't pass the test the car simply won't start.

[MM_QFC!]

Shuddering here when I see that picture, as it's too close for me currently...just 5 weeks ago, I had the same horrific experience... even though it was 2 of us being hit and thrown in the air by a speeding, distracted (turning around and reaching into the back seat to play with her 2yo nephew!) driver, who already had a wretched record of traffic infractions and criminal cases, showing her disregard for the safety of anyone else on the road.
I agree that driver education and enforcement have to be prioritized. This senseless tragedy didn't have to happen...just heartbreaking.

[Fujichants]

I am so angry and upset. This is disturbing. More of these articles need to be posted (with pictures) so that people can fully see what the consequences are if drivers don't pay attention on the road or decide to take it out on cyclists.