Indiana Cyclist Killed

[HoosierGiant]

Here's a case of an experienced cyclist losing his life. Details uncertain at this time. He was riding on a local greenway, a 30-mile converted railroad bed, and apparently failed to stop at one of the many intersections where country roads and city streets cross this MUT.

www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070607/LOCAL/706070561

Thoughts and prayers to his family. Ride safely everyone!

[Eden]

Very sad. As I was riding along a MUT yesterday I was thinking about how dangerous they really are (someone here in Seattle was hit just the day before by a car turning left across an intersection with one - I don't know whether or not that intersection had a stop for the path or not - some are stops some are yields, some are crosswalk controlled, others are completely unmarked). The big problem, at least here is that it really is unclear just what the rules of the MUP are. Its not really a sidewalk, its not really a street. It crosses streets with crosswalks, and local law says a bike in a crosswalk is a pedestrian, but it sometimes has stop signs too... Sometimes cars stop and wait sometimes they blow through. Sometimes cyclists stop, sometimes they blow through and really its not clear what is technically right. If you are a pedestrian then you have the right of way, if you are a vehicle you don't, but the whole concept of the MUT makes cyclists a weird hybrid - at least the way our local traffic laws are set up.
It would be better if everyone had clear expectations about who is going to do what at intersections.

[Mr. Bloom]

I've come to detest these pathways...they're for very casual cyclists and pedestrians.

But, as tragic as this accident is, I think we have to celebrate that Joe was riding at the age of 81! What a deal! I hope I'm half that active in 40 years!

[Zen]

I'm with you there, Mr. Silver. Death is inevitable and I for one would find that a fitting way to go if I live to be 81.

[RoadRaven]

A tradgedy... but please, what is a MUT and what is a MUP?

(Link won't load on my slow connection)

[crazycanuck]

RR..From a guess it means Multiple use trail & Multiple use path..I've no idea of the difference!

I'm not sure of what to compare it to in order to make it relevant to us Aus/NZ folks.

C

[Jenn]

Oh dear, that is AWFUL, but God Bless the man for living to 81, in this day and age, it's a true feat, AND to be riding a bike, more power to him. It is a shame how tragic his life ended but he was out doing what he loved, and I'm sure he would have had no other way, just like my Grandfather in law at 85. "I'm gonna keep doin what I do, til I can't do it anymore." I think that is what keeps him going.
God Bless him, and thoughts and prayers are with him and the family.
Though tragic, he had a long life, that is wonderful.
My FIL has ALS which is hitting fast with NO mercy at 55 and they only give him 1 more year, so I wish he would have had that many years.

[Eden]

A tradgedy... but please, what is a MUT and what is a MUP?

(Link won't load on my slow connection)

sorry - we call them MUP's around here (multi-use-path), but most people on TE seem to call them MUT's (multi-use-trail). I seem to have used both acronyms..There's no difference in the meaning, I guess its just a regional thing. It's a non motorized vehicle path, that can be used by cyclists, walker, joggers, skaters, equestrians etc.

[RoadRaven]

Thanks Eden and CC

I guess the closest we have here are the cycle paths which walkers and runners use too.

Got the page to load this morning... In the middle of the day and everything... so very sad.

Its interesting that the wording is the bike struck the truck... not the truck struck the bike...