This is a terrible thing, without a doubt. I hope this person recovers fully.
But (you knew there was a but), why this special treatment for bike accidents? There must be a serious car accident in Portland every day. Not to mention all sorts of home and workplace mishaps. Why doesn't the Merc cover those? Are their lives worth less somehow?
Because accidents between a car (big, metal, engine-powered) and a bicycle (spindly, weak, human-pedaled) are more likely to end in tragedy. Auto-only smashes generally only end up as fender benders.
So Smirk reminding/raising awareness (for drivers and cyclists alike + moto riders like me) helps each type of commuter remember to follow the laws, drive/ride safely, and be cool to each other.
And being cool is the opposite of whatever Graham seems to be doing.
That road is one I drive daily- in a car. The bike lane (in the photo) is roomy but there are some tricky spots. For the most part it's spacious enough for both car and bike. So "get off my roads" doesn't apply- there's room, and that section beyond the white ain't your road Graham, it's the bike's.
This seems a good place to mention: in terms of deaths per mile travelled, cycling is still far safer than driving. You are more likely to die in a car (in part owing to so many miles travelled on freeways and with faster traffic) than cycling.
The woman driver admits she was distracted by her dog and may have hit the gas instead of the brake. Like, you know, the brake pedal is so hard to find.
And people on the Mercury blog often comment about how it's ok for cyclists to roll through or run stop signs? Really? This young woman was apparently obeying all the laws and yet was involved in a horrendous accident. I pray she recovers. Biking is not some utopian bs, or god given right, or some cultural focal point it is a good, sustainable, efficient and inexpensive mode of transportation that has it's hazards. When I ride, the only person I trust on the road is me, I suggest we all do the same. Always be aware. And no, they are not going to "take all the cars off the road" so get over it, as it is Portland has better bike accessibility than most places. Unfortunately it appears that in this case neither vigilance or bike paths would have prevented this tragedy
I too was hit on the 12th of August on Hall Blvd SW by an automobile after merging into a right lane following my hand signal, noting that the traffic was 150 yards behind me. A speeding sports car which did not brake or use its horn accelerated into me. Sounded as if he were gaining speed to enter a freeway onramp! "Boom!" I went over his car. The good samaritans at the scene were very gracious to me following the accident thank goodness. Indeed the Tualitan Valley Fire Department was very professional. Why aren't all bicycle accidents reported on?! Sure I survived with bruises and a few stitches. The Beaverton Policeman, Officer Mills, placed all the blame on me. This is not justice!!!
But (you knew there was a but), why this special treatment for bike accidents? There must be a serious car accident in Portland every day. Not to mention all sorts of home and workplace mishaps. Why doesn't the Merc cover those? Are their lives worth less somehow?
Because accidents between a car (big, metal, engine-powered) and a bicycle (spindly, weak, human-pedaled) are more likely to end in tragedy. Auto-only smashes generally only end up as fender benders.
So Smirk reminding/raising awareness (for drivers and cyclists alike + moto riders like me) helps each type of commuter remember to follow the laws, drive/ride safely, and be cool to each other.
And being cool is the opposite of whatever Graham seems to be doing.
http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg5nl4nr…
It'd be great if everyone could and would get around by bicycle, but they can't, and trying to mix the two on the same road is a terrible idea.