This is a long introduction to the news item excerpted below. I apologize
for the length, but this one got me a little agitated. As you can see, it
will be finalized as a letter-to-the-editor of the Press Democrat newspaper.
Here's a classic case of 'blame the victim.' There are several misleading
statements in this report. Several times it states that riding abreast is
illegal in California, despite the fact that there is no prohibition in CA
bicycle law against the practice. A cursory Google search takes the reader
to this page: http://www.vcbike.org/bikelaw/bikelaw.htm#_C._Riding_Single by
Alan Watchtel. Now I freely admit that I am not a lawyer, but I've always
thought that if the law didn't specifically exclude some action, it was
legal and allowable. Have any CA cyclists been successfully prosecuted for
riding abreast?
Some excerpts:
"...many crashes are caused by the cyclists themselves, according to the
California Highway Patrol."
"...the greatest danger lies in cars attempting to pass on narrow roads,
forcing bikes to shoulders or hitting them from the rear..." ( Martin
Clinton, president of the Santa Rosa Cycling Club.)
"The CHP...said right-of-way violations are among the most common bike
traffic offenses."
"...cyclists should "control" lanes so cars don't try to squeeze by..."
"...drivers said bikers with daredevil attitudes are part of the problem."
OK, one at a time. First, 'many crashes are caused by the cyclists
themselves.' It's true that the majority of cyclists treated in emergency
rooms are there due to simple falls. Falls are responsible for 50% of all
cycling injuries. Collisions with motor vehicles comprise 17% and
collisions with other cyclists are another 17%. But it's implied that most
crashes with motor vehicles are the cyclist's fault.
Martin Clinton, president of the Santa Rosa Cycling Club, says that the
greatest danger is getting hit from the rear. Mr. Clinton is misinformed,
as hit-from-the-rear collisions comprise less than 10% of all bicycle/motor
vehicle collisions. CHP has a better grasp on the cause of most crashes -
right-of-way violations - and those occur at intersections.
Cyclist failure to yield to crossing traffic (25%)
Wrong-way cycling (17%)
Cyclist failure to yield when changing lanes (13%)
Motorist's left turn (8%)
Sidewalk cycling (7%)
Motorist's right turn (5%)
Motorist's restart from stop sign (4%)
(Source: Effective Cycling by J. Forester)
With two exceptions, wrong-way cycling and a cyclist failing to yield when
changing lanes, all of these crashes involve one vehicle crossing another
vehicle's path, i.e. an intersection, regardless of whether that's on the
roadway itself or on an adjacent sidewalk. Every driveway or parking lot
ramp represents an intersection, particularly to a sidewalk cyclist. When
compared to the less than 10% figure for hit-from-behind crashes, it's
obvious that intersections are a much higher risk.
From what I dimly recall of my Statistics 101 class, a valid sample consists
of no less than 32 scores. It's hardly scientific to base such broad
statements as the 'cyclists are largely at fault' on such tiny samples as is
done in this article. It's bad science. Further, if it's true that in 22
of the 33 accidents in 2003, the rider was at fault, and that in 2002 riders
were blamed in nine of the 22 crashes, the evidence would seem to indicate
that the results are inconclusive. Regardless, the sample size is too small
to offer good predictions.
Two contradictory thoughts: A cyclist should take the lane, thereby
controlling traffic to some extent, and motorists see such actions as
daredevil stunts performed by people who are oblivious of other road users.
This article misses an opportunity to educate motorists about a cyclist
taking the lane for his own safety, preferring to pander to the
fear-mongering tactics of some motorists who see themselves as the only
legitimate road users.
This article merely fuels the animosity on the road, giving motorists the
false impression that cyclists are somehow at fault for most accidents, and
implying that motorists are blameless. Please, before printing something
this irresponsible again, pry the doughnut out of your journalist's fist and
enroll him in an League of American Bicyclists Road 1 course. Would you
accept an article from a sportswriter who knew nothing about sports? Why
then accept a column on cycling from a writer whose last experience of a
bicycle was in the 4th grade?
========Article Excerpts Follow=============
Taking risks on the road
CHP says crashes like last week's fatality happen regularly -- and it's
often not the driver's fault
April 18, 2004
By PAUL PAYNE
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
....The clash between cyclists and drivers came into focus Easter Sunday when
two people riding scenic Highway 12 near Oakmont were hit by a suspected
drunken driver. One cyclist was killed and another seriously injured,
raising fears about whether cars and bikes can safely co-exist.
Although many cyclists recount tales of bad driving on perilous stretches of
road, many crashes are caused by the cyclists themselves, according to the
California Highway Patrol.
....In 2002, there were 22 crashes involving bicycles, including one
fatality, which was deemed the fault of the rider. The number of crashes
rose to 33 in 2003 with one death. The rider who was killed was ruled to be
intoxicated, King said. And in 22 of the 33 accidents, the rider was at
fault, she said. In 2002, riders were blamed in nine of the 22 crashes.
"Obviously, a collision of this type is more serious for the rider," King
said. "And more often the bicyclists are at fault."
That wasn't the case a week ago. South Bay triathletes Alan Liu, 31, and
Jill Mason, 26, were riding through the Valley of the Moon when they were
struck from behind by Harvey Hereford, 69, of Santa Rosa.
Liu was killed and Mason was critically injured. Hereford was arrested on
suspicion of drunken driving and vehicular manslaughter.
....Bikers can get in trouble when they break traffic laws, like riding on
the wrong side of the street, but the greatest danger lies in cars
attempting to pass on narrow roads, forcing bikes to shoulders or hitting
them from the rear, Clinton said.
Instead, cyclists should "control" lanes so cars don't try to squeeze by, he
said.
That technique maddens some motorists but makes bikes more visible and can
save lives, Santa Rosa cyclist Gary Segraves said.
....But drivers said bikers with daredevil attitudes are part of the problem.
....In fact, it's illegal for bikes to ride side-by-side, CHP officers said.
According to the state vehicle code, the only times bicycles can leave the
right-hand side of a lane is to pass, turn left or avoid a road hazard.
Groups of bicycles should always be riding single-file.
And they must obey all traffic laws, like stopping at stop signs.
....The CHP, which handles bike accident outside cities, said right-of-way
violations are among the most common bike traffic offenses.
...."We certainly don't want motorists thinking they can run people off the
road," King said. "But at same time bicyclists need to realize they can't be
two or three abreast."
Staff Writer Randi Rossmann contributed to this report.
You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 521-5250 or
[email hidden].
or
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/local/news/18bicycle_b1empireb.html
--
alan
Anyone who believes in a liberal media has never read the "Daily Oklahoman."