Bicyclist runs red light, badly injures pedestrian

[n2doc]

Henry K. Lee, Chronicle Staff Writer

Saturday, July 16, 2011
12:28 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- A woman crossing a street along San Francisco's waterfront was struck and seriously injured today by a bicyclist who ran a red light, police said.

The victim, who is in her 60s, was crossing the Embarcadero in a crosswalk with the green light at Mission Street when she was hit by the northbound bicyclist at about 8:30 a.m., said Officer Albie Esparza, a police spokesman.

The woman, whose name was not released, suffered a life-threatening head injury, Esparza said.

The bicyclist remained at the scene after the collision and was being interviewed by police, authorities said. The bicyclist's name was also withheld.



Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/07/15/BAUL1KB1PH.DTL

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[kestrel91316]

14. Because DU has a large contingent of people who LOATHE all bicyclists.

I know. Hard to believe on a liberal website. But they are here and they are very vocal.

Even though bicycles are legally permitted to use roadways, they want us ghettoized. To where, I'm not sure, since bike lanes are sorely lacking in CA, and it's technically improper for us to cycle on the sidewalks, though many of us do it out of self-preservation.

Bicyclists are more evil than Repigs to this crowd. You know who you are.

[BlueJazz]

28. If it were up to me, every road in the country would have a 6 foot bike lane with..

...a 4 foot high concrete wall between the motor vehicles and the biker.
...and I mean even the expressways.

Being from Australia, I've seen LOTS of people bike between large cities with no hassle at all.
The United States needs to get up off their asses. Maybe we wouldn't be such a "Fat as a hog" nation. :)

[Strelnikov_]

43. We really do not even need the barrier

Here in Iowa, in a four seasons climate, it would be better to simply have the standard shoulder width (6 to 10 ft.), a 4 ft. raised strip (rumble strip or even just a strip of aggregate, with a 8 ft. to 10 ft. ped/bike lane.

This arrangement would allow for easy plowing of the bike lane following snowstorms.

Couple of 'tricks' they pull around here:

1) Mark the shoulder as a 'bike lane'. Still a shoulder.

2) For curbed streets (four 12 ft. lanes, no shoulders, standard high volume ribbon of death) they have in places a decent 10 ft. bike path separated from the curb by 4 to 10 ft. of turf. Problem is, in winter, the 'street crew' pretty much plows the path shut with 3 ft.+ piles of plow snow. The 'park crew' is responsible for clearing the bike paths, which at times takes a couple of weeks, if they can even get it done, because they do not have the equipment to take on the piles the street crew leaves behind.



When one lives in the Empire of the Auto, one must be adaptable.

[BlueJazz]

56. I understand. I've never understood why so many people in the states think of Bikes as...

...."annoying".

I think the meld between rider, bike and road is something wonderful.

[taterguy]

64. Some cyclists are annoying and it's easy to generalize

Especially when the annoying ones make up a considerable percentage of the total.

In my area, most cyclists are doing it for recreation, not transportation.

Large groups of them can be annoying, especially on roads where it's difficult to pass.

It's a chicken / egg thing. There would be more acceptance of cycling if it was done more for basic transportation, but that won't happen until there's more acceptance of cycling.

There's also a basic lack of knowledge about how roads are paid for in the United States. Popular perception is that gas taxes pay for all road building and maintenance. The reality is that gas taxes don't come anywhere close to covering government's road-related expenses. The problem is that no one knows exactly how much automobile usage is subsidized. You'd have to analyze the budgets of all of the thousands of government entities in the United States. Even then you'd have trouble agreeing on what constitutes a subsidy. What percentage of the defense budget is based on the need to defend oil fields?

So a lot of people think that cyclists are using roads they're not paying for.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

2. "The bicyclist remained at the scene after the collision..."

Unlike many motorists:

"cyclist killed driver left scene"

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=1004&bih=586&q=cyclist+killed+driver+left+scene&btnG=Search&oq=cyclist+killed+driver+left+scene&aq=f&aqi=&aql=1&gs_sm=s&gs_upl=8375l10359l0l12594l15l7l0l0l0l1l1422l2531l7-2l2

"pedestrian killed driver left scene"

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=1004&bih=586&q=pedestrian+killed+driver+left+scene&btnG=Search&oq=pedestrian+killed+driver+left+scene&aq=f&aqi=&aql=1&gs_sm=s&gs_upl=35562l42172l0l44281l33l16l0l0l0l0l1046l2906l3-1.0.1.1.1l4

Contrary to the many posts that are sure to follow the OP, not all bicyclists are the flaming assholes many on this board claim they are.

Accidents happen, mistakes are made, and sometimes laws are broken. Let the cyclist (and any driver) be charged if warranted.

I wish the woman who was hit well.

[man4allcats]

3. I see cyclists blow through red lights all the time.

They are among the worst when it comes to obeying traffic laws. They seem to think those laws don't apply to them. Hopefully this cyclist will be held fully accountable for whatever damage she/he has done. This poor woman may die because of this person's negligence.

[Obamanaut]

25. I see cars and trucks blow through stop lights as well. Not all drivers of

cars and trucks are morons, just as not all bicyclists are morons. But there are some who are in both groups.

[man4allcats]

47. Who says they're morons?

If they were, there might perhaps be some excuse or at least explanation for their behavior. As it is, one can only assume they're nothing more nor less than purely self-interested assholes with no regard for anything or anyone other than themselves.

[Obamanaut]

48. When you say "...self-interested assholes..." you are referring to all drivers

who blow through stoplights, aren't you?

And, if you can label them "...self-interested assholes..." where is it written, what is the rule number, that I cannot label them morons?

[man4allcats]

49. You can if you wish.

I merely wanted to make clear that I personally never referred to them as morons. If, however, you wish to do so, then that is entirely your own business.

[cutlassmama]

58. [phone]

[slackmaster]

4. I fucking HATE bicyclists who don't obey traffic signs and signals

In California a bicyclist has as much right to be on the road as a motorist. That right comes with responsibilities, such as complying with traffic signs and lights, and respecting the right-of-way of other vehicles and of pedestrians.

[Darth_Kitten]

8. Of course, they have the same right to be on the road.

I wish more of them would understand that fact. And YES, drivers have to wise the fuck up as well. :)

[Gormy Cuss]

27. Funny, I fucking hate drivers who don't obey those same signs and signals.

Sitting on the bicycle can really change one's perspective of who's the bigger problem.

[awoke_in_2003]

32. Same thing when you are riding...

a motorcycle (which I do). There are a lot of idiot drivers, luckily I have a good horsepower to weight ratio.

[Gormy Cuss]

46. There are idiots on every conveyance.

and we all have to share the road with them -- "share" being the operative word. When I'm on the lightest weight and slowest to accelerate wheeled device I'm not interested in playing chicken with the heavier vehicles. That's common sense. I cede MY right-of-way on nearly every cycling trip for just that reason.

And on topic, the idiot who ran into the woman in SF this week may face manslaughter charges if she dies.

[slackmaster]

50. Me too

This thread is about an accident caused by a negligent bicyclist.

[Gormy Cuss]

54. The count of injuries and accidents caused by negligent cyclists is miniscule

but the ranting that happens here anytime a cyclist is in the wrong is very telling. I'm not picking on you, slack. I believe that you hate all fucking stupid behavior on the roads.

[slackmaster]

59. My biggest single pet peeve on the road is drivers who are distracted

Especially by electronic devices.

[high density]

55. I see a ratio of probably 20 bicycles going through red lights to each car

I have a good perspective on who is the problem, and it's bicyclists who pick and choose what rules of the road to obey.

[Strelnikov_]

33. And I fucking HATE right-wing trolls. n/t

[Thegonagle]

45. On my bicycle, I respect right of way of other road users, especially peds, but I don't always

wait for the green light or come to a full "feet down," three second stop at a stop sign.

However, I do not have a death wish. Therefore, I'm always defensive, always watching, and always aware of stop signs and signals. Laws of physics being as they are, I tend to obey them when other motorists or pedestrians are present. That's also what they expect me to do--to do otherwise leads to collisions.

At stop signs, so many motorists don't come to a complete stop unless they "have" to, and on my bike, I don't either. I prepare to stop, and do slow way down when sight lines require it. If someone is coming, I stop. If the way is clear, I get pedaling again to regain my momentum ASAP.

Lots of traffic signals' vehicle detectors don't "see" bicycles. On my regular routes, I know which signals are coordinated (aka timed or "synchronized"), which ones have detectors that can see me, and which ones will never change no matter how long I wait. At the signals that can't see me, I do what I gotta do. And sometimes, if nobody's coming, I ride through the red just because I can.

On my bike, I stay alive as the primary objective. Secondarily, I attempt to inconvenience nobody by violating their right of way, however, I simply like to keep my momentum and my workout going if feasible. If all of that bothers you anti-bicyclists so much, well, I'm sorry, but as they say, life goes on...

[Ron Green]

5. Before this thread becomes a hate-fest

I'd like to suggest that the "yield" action at stop signs and red lights is the most useful policy for cyclists. I think Idaho uses this rule. It means cyclists don't have to lose their hard-won momentum, but it gives the right of way to others.

[slackmaster]

6. How do you feel about allowing motorcycles to split lanes?

:hide:

[Ron Green]

9. I'm against it because as vehicles going at automobile speed, they ought to remain in a lane.

[Thegonagle]

53. I'm against lane splitting by motorcyclists because all too often,

when I've seen it done, it's done in a manner such that the motorcyclist has no "out" as far as riding defensively goes. Motorists don't expect it (at least, I wasn't conditioned to look out for it when I was last driving in CA), and might inadvertently cut off a rider if attempting to change lines in traffic.

It's one thing even the most defensive driver might have trouble defending against, and I, for one, have no desire to be a part of the resulting accident and potential loss of life.

[frylock]

12. perfectly acceptable as far as i'm concerned..

i never understand the frothing at the mouth attitude when it comes to cycling and traffic laws. yes, there are some idiots out there that cause some close calls, but if i roll through a stop sign and it doesn't effect you in the least, then why get all bent about it? i suppose it's that whole mindset of "well if i have to stop in my car then they should too dammit."

[October]

16. I disagree

There are plenty of times that a car could just "roll through a stop sign without affecting anyone "in the least," but it's still going to warrant a ticket.

I'm all for bikes and sharing the road. There are rude pedestrians, drivers and cyclists alike -- but fair is fair -- even a pedestrian isn't supposed to jay-walk.

As an avid runner -- I am surprised when a biker comes a long and gives me attitude for not getting out of their way. It happened to me twice in one day. I don't take up the whole road -- but I had one guy say, "I rang my bell..." (which I didn't hear for whatever reason). He was miffed that I jumped out of the way at the last moment.

<shrug>

It just seems as though it's getting harder and harder to get along. Everyone is so quick to anger. Civility is near gone.

[WinkyDink]

21. No; it's that whole "You want the rights of a car? Obey the laws of a car." mindset.

[hobbit709]

23. The law says that not even a pedestrian is supposed to go through a red light.

If I was on a bicycle, I would no more think about running a red light in front of traffic than I would think about trying to outrun a train in a car. But both of those happen all the time.
The laws of physics always win.

[Ron Green]

29. That mindset is not really accurate, or useful, because

bicycles can't have the rights of cars. They don't accelerate like cars; they can't operate on the Interstate; they don't even trip most traffic light sensors. A more useful mindset is to allow that bicycling ought to be encouraged for many reasons, and that the unique challenges of riding in traffic must be met with rules that punish irresponsible riders while encouraging bicycle use in the transportation mix.

[awoke_in_2003]

34. rules of the road...

apply to all who are using it.

[Gormy Cuss]

24. CA is considering it, and as a cyclist I'm ambivalent about it for red lights.

I think it makes sense at stop signs, but at red lights it's really only useful for right-on red situations because it might actually cut down on the knuckle-headed drivers who zoom past bikes and cut in front without sufficient room to avoid collisions.

[Strelnikov_]

39. Thats pretty much the way I ride

When I approach a stop sign, if there are no cars at or approaching, I slow to about walking speed, this allows one last look for pedestrians, other threats, then proceed.

I always stop at a red light. However, after stopping, if there are no cars coming, all others stopped, I proceed if said movement will not impact pedestrians/stopped cars. Why, because my first law always governs, that is:

First Law: Ride as if every car is trying to intentionally hit you.

That means always minimizing movements that require the bicyclist to 'trust' the smoker operator. Hard to get hit by a smoker one is either A) behind or B) so far away the kinematic solution indicates minimal risk.

The worst possible place to cross a major road is a signalized intersection. Have nearly been hit more than a few times at the major intersection near work, crossing with the ped signal, by smokers either making flying rights or flying lefts. I generally go to mid-block or at the light at a side street another block up and **gasp** break the law. Again, one cannot be hit by a car one is behind or so far ahead of the kinematic solution indicates minimal risk.

Which leads to the second law: Ignore all traffic laws that place the bicyclist at more risk and where ignoring said law has no impact on motorists and pedestrians.

[Ron Green]

62. READ THE POST ABOVE, folks.

This is a clear explanation of a workable practice for bicycles.

[Strelnikov_]

63. Did forget my third law.

When sharing the right-of-way (sidewalk, bike trail, crosswalk etc.) with pedestrians, always slow to near walking speed when passing/crossing unless eye contact had been made with pedestrian and kinematic solution indicates minimal probability of a conflict.

+++

That said, I finally watched the video of the intersection where the accident occurred. It is totally out of control. Bicyclists flying through a perpendicular stream of pedestrians like some game of Pac-Man. Ridiculous.

Nothing that out of control around here. However, I do see a lot of college students fly through intersections on bicycles, when they have the right-of-way, assuming the car will yield. Just a matter of time.

Always slow down, always make eye contact, always assume the car is trying to hit you.

+++

I mean, look at the post lower in this thread where bashing in heads of bicyclists and shoving an iron rod up their ass is proposed.

I ride for transportation. All year, including winter. I don't wear spandex, I wear what I am wearing at the time because this is my form of transportation.

I believe our fossil fuel use is a major national security and environmental threat. I am trying to do what small part I can. Instead of driving the 5 miles to Lowes a few hours ago in this heat wave, I rode my bike. In a few minutes I will hop back on and ride the two miles to the hardware store.

Then, I come here, a 'liberal' site, and find posts talking about HATE of bicyclists, beating in their skulls, ramming iron rods up their asses . .

There really is not much hope . . but one must still try . . if anything to set an example for the young . . so they know that not all human adults act like locusts (or, in the case of the drama unfolding in my yard, Japanese Beetles).

[Peregrine Took]

7. The same thing almost happened to me yesterday. I was crossing a busy

intersection on a green light on and a cyclist came zooming through the intersection running the red light. He missed me by about 3 inches.

Cyclists should obey all traffic laws, only ride on streets with bikes paths indicated and have a posted license by which they can be identified.

[KG]

10. there are alot of dumbasses on bikes and in cars. in my last 10 years of urban trekking

i have developed stratagies to avoid people and vehicles.

[Stevenmarc]

15. As there are

A lot of dumbass pedestrians that wander into bile lanes like oblivious cattle. I've lived in NYC all my life and have seen my fair share of dumbass drivers and bikers but I've recently given up a car for cycling around town and it's been an eye opener how stupid some pedestrians are.

However, not in this case.

[awoke_in_2003]

35. I try to avoid the bile lanes...

:)

[IDemo]

11. It's "Stop" = "Yield" here

After slowing to a reasonable speed or stopping, the person shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another highway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the person is moving across or within the intersection or junction of highways, except that a person after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way if required, may cautiously make a turn or proceed through the intersection without stopping.

This portion of the Idaho law is sometimes referred to as “Stop as yield,” meaning that cyclists may treat stop signs as yield signs. The Idaho law also allows “red as stop,” meaning that cyclists may treat red lights as stop signs:

A person operating a bicycle or human-powered vehicle approaching a steady red traffic control light shall stop before entering the intersection and shall yield to all other traffic. Once the person has yielded, he may proceed through the steady red light with caution.

The bike/auto accidents in this area over the past couple of years have been almost exclusively due to driver error.

[mythology]

13. This is reason number 2 that I always stop at stop signs and red lights

The primary reason is that I lose any competition with a motor vehicle. I'd much rather lose momentum, even up a hill, than to put my life in significantly increased danger to save a little time.

[markpkessinger]

17. I'm not anti-cyclist; I'm anti-bicycle messenger

Living in New York, I draw a distinction between those who are bicycle hobbyists (who, in my experience, tend to be extremely conscientious bike riders) and bicycle messengers, who are the scourge of every New York crossing a street on foot.

A few years back, I was similarly hit by a bicycle messenger riding full bore out of a one way street that went the other way, and against a red light. The force of the impact lifted my 5'10", 165# frame me up and slammed me down on my side with my arm outstretched, so I landed on my ribs (resulting in a couple of cracked ribs). I got myself up, but needless to say, I had the wind knocked out of me, so I couldn't even speak for a few moments. The messenger stopped momentarily, told me I should "be more careful," and then sped off, to the astonishment of me and several onlookers.

Bicycle messengers exist almost entirely for the legal industry these days. Lawyers like to be able to serve and/or file papers at the last possible second, thereby making sure their opposition has the absolute least possible time to prepare a response, and to accommodate lawyers' own procrastination. It's a service we could easily learn to do without in 2011, and I for one would be happy to see it go.

And if that were to happen, I think you would see a whole lot less tension between bicycle hobbyists and on-foot pedestrians.

[blueamy66]

36. I'm anti male cyclist over 60 wearing bike shorts

yuck

:-)

[gratuitous]

41. As a male cyclist approaching 60

I have to say that the comfort of wearing shorts is undeniable. I make contact with the bike at five points, and just as I wear padded gloves and shoe inserts, the padding on my behind (as much as is there naturally) is essential for longer rides. While I agree that spandex is a privilege and not a right, until that glorious day when all God's children respect the fabric, I will continue to wear bike shorts.

[Earth_First]

18. So what should happen in the event that this woman loses her life from the injuries?

This is not hyperbole, the woman "suffered a life-threatening head injury" as a result.

Should a motorist run a red light and kill someone, often the charges filed are negligent vehicular manslaughter.

At least "the cyclist did lose his momentum" by running a red light until after he gravely injured a pedestrian... :eyes:

[Gormy Cuss]

57. The cyclist will face the same charges, as the cops have already made clear.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/baycitynews/a/2011/07/15/bicyclist15.DTL

[athenasatanjesus]

19. Is this one instance supposed to indict all cyclists?

Looks like it on the comment sections especially the one on sfgate.

[WinkyDink]

20. Sometimes car drivers don't see bikes; sometimes bike riders don't see walkers. BUT OBEY THE LAWS!

[11 Bravo]

22. The next time I see a cyclist stop at a red light or a stop sign will be the first.

[taterguy]

30. You should get your eyes checked

Or maybe you just only see what your preconceptions let you see.

[11 Bravo]

31. Wow, my very first direct contact with an actual deity! Tell me, your omniscienceness ...

what else have I seen without knowing I saw it?

[taterguy]

38. I have no idea. I was just responding to a post you made in this thread

Seems extremely implausible that you've never seen a cyclist stop at a light, unless road conditions are very different from my location.

[frylock]

40. you should get out more often

[11 Bravo]

42. Oh, I get out and about. Often on my Schwinn.

[Iggo]

61. You should follow me around.

I even use hand signals.:wow:

[Fumesucker]

26. 33,808 people killed in auto crashes in 2009..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_motor_vehicle_deaths_in_U.S._by_year

Now we have one woman badly injured by a bicyclist..

Clearly it's time to crack down on the out of control bicyclists.

[nobodyspecial]

37. And this made news because it happens so infrequently

In the United States, this problem is quite serious in that 5,000 pedestrians are killed annually while 64,000 are injured in accidents involving motor vehicles.

according to the report of the National Highway Traffic Association and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

o 11 percent of motor vehicle fatalities involve pedestrians
o Between 1975 and 2005, 180,000 pedestrian lives have been claimed in motor vehicle accidents
o Pedestrian death is second to occupant death in terms of category of motor vehicle deaths
o Every 8 minutes, on average, a pedestrian is hurt in a traffic accident
o Every 2 hours, on average, one life of a pedestrian is lost in a traffic accident

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3015725

Where's the thread about the drivers hitting pedestrians so we can attack them. I would rather be hit by a bike than a car.

[Thegonagle]

44. .

deleted...

Reply to wrong post

[hifiguy]

51. Why an I not surprised by this?

So many bicyclists here in Mpls ride arrogantly into oncoming traffic - I have had to flat-spot my tires for many of them - and expect you to stop even if you have the green light and (2) pretend that traffic regulations and simple rules of common courtesy do not apply to them. I am sorely tempted to buy a bat and beat their brains into mulch.

Sanctimonious and self-righteous assholes spoil everything for those who behave like courteous humans. Fuck them with an iron stick.

[B Calm]

52. I see more morons on motorcycles that worry me than I do on bicycles.

[Iggo]

60. And I'd do it again.

Fucking pedestrians.

[cherokeeprogressive]

65. LOL n/t