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:
vcbike.orgbikelaw.htmOpen ↗
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
pressdemocrat.com18bicycle b1emOpen ↗
pireb.html
--
alan
Anyone who believes in a liberal media has never read the
"Daily Oklahoman."