It is reported this morning that no charges are anticipated in the bike-pedestrian collision on Cedar River Trail. Here is the story in the PI.
Bike-pedestrian collision and fatality deemed a tragic accident; no charges pending
Apr20
2010
Written by Randy Corman
2010
Written by Randy Corman
I think the cyclist should have been charged. Going too fast for conditions, or something.
Recently a cyclist struck a runner on the Lake Young’s trail. Cyclist was cresting a hill at high speed. Runner ended up in Harborview with severe injuries. Cyclist claimed runner jumped in front of him. That’s just crazy. What probably happened is both moved the same way, and collided head-on.
Some cyclists are going way too fast for conditions. They are whizzing on crowded urban trails, and can’t stop or avoid collisions. Not all of them call out “to your left” or whatever when they pass. And some pedestrians don’t yield, because they are hard of hearing, listening to music or are generally oblivious.
Some of the cyclists are simply a$$hats. I think the cyclist should be cited for going too fast for conditions. Sure it was a clear, sunny day, and he treated the trail like the velodrome. Now a woman is dead.
Another possible remedy is to separate faster, wheeled traffic from pedestrians. Green Lake in Seattle has this – a solid line down the middle. Not everyone follows the rules, but more do than don’t.
“Going too fast for conditions, or something. ” Well, that’s clear. Have you thought about becoming a lawyer?
Slow, old pedestrians need to stay off the trail. They can’t do the minimum speed limit and need to find another place to walk. The trail was built for bikes only and I’ll threaten the life and welfare of anybody who gets in my way with my sheer weight advantage. And I’ll get away with it by claiming that I didn’t see them.
If you can’t see a pedestrian at the posted 15 miles per hour, you shouldn’t be on the trail. And stay away from a trail you may have to share with horses. They’ll match your “sheer weight advantage” and raise you. You lose. Oh, and if your head gets kicked in, the rider will claim the horse has a mind of its own.
Actually, the posted speed limit on this trail is 15 miles per hour. The trail is mixed-use. So the “slow, old pedestrians” have as much right to be there as you do, Hotshot.
lol. I was being completely sarcastic and throwing out common rants about cyclists. Just like the pedestrians have a right to be on that trail, cyclists have a right to be on the roads but the consistent harassing treatment they endure definitely contributes to their actions. Too fast for trails, too slow for roads is the general opinion.
OK then, I’ll put away my tack strip. Thanks for the clarification.
That’s a nice theory of denial. Unfortunately it only works with most Senior Citizens. As for me and my family you won’t need to deny anything if you hit one of us. In fact you might find it rather tough to say anything at all for quite some time. I’m not a violent person, yet I’m not against it either.
All my best.
Steve M.
My thoughts are with the family of the deceased, and with the bicyclist, who’s likely suffering from severe emotional distress.
I’ve been both a cyclist and pedestrian on this stretch of the trail, and I can see both sides of the issue.
A stripe down the middle might help prevent collisions, but I’m not sure the trail is wide enough to safely accommodate both forms of traffic. In any case, on this heavily-traveled section of the trail, bicyclists should not be going so fast that a collision with a pedestrian could be fatal to either party. And signage (in multiple languages) needs to be installed to remind pedestrians to be on the lookout for bicyclists and to stay to the right side of the path. A big problem is groups of people taking up the entire trail — that should not be happening.
Bicyclists calling out “On your left!” is a totally useless and potentially dangerous solution, especially if it’s done just as the pedestrian is being passed, rather than well before passing. The best solution is a bell or horn that’s sounded several seconds before passing, which gives the pedestrian time to turn around, look, and move out of the way. If the pedestrian doesn’t react, the cyclist needs to slow down to a snail’s pace and pass very carefully.
Unfortunately, the hardcore cyclists will never accept anything less than full ownership of the trail, but until that happens (which is unlikely), they’ll need to deal with the fact that pedestrians use it, too.
The police need to make a concerted effort to enforce the posted speed limits on the trail and remind pedestrians not to hog the pavement.
Personally, I’d love to see a few a-hole cyclists taken away in handcuffs for going 40 in a 10 mph zone. And maybe a family of fatties being ticketed for not yielding to passing cyclists.
bikes and trail
“the hardcore cyclists will never accept anything less than full ownership of the trail”
What? If anything the BENEFIT of cyclists being on the trail is an extra set of eyes and ears to effectively patrol the transients or (God forbid) gangs of roaming TEENAGERS who can inhibit stretches of the trail out of the eyes of Police or others. The trail is a public SHARED asset – as are the roads. It’s funny, the same people who say “G-damn bicyclists, get out of the streets!” are the same people I think that say “G-damn bicyclists, stay off of our trail!”
And another thing “The best solution is a bell or horn that’s sounded several seconds before passing” is ineffective because very often, especially lone joggers, will have iPods on or be involved in texting and completely ignore or not hear any verbal or audible warnings.
signed, a “fatty” who went from 238# to 180# in two years of bike commuting
Those riding bikes can use the road. Those walking cannot. It’s very easy to do the math. Bike riders want it both way, in fact, yesterday downtown Renton I was coming through the green light on Bronson and the spandex pretty boy couldn’t be bothered to stop at the red light he was approaching. He jumps onto the sidewalk not realizing 2 people we’re approaching the crosswalk from the spandex blind side.
Spandex needs to pick one or the other they can’t have roads, sidewalks and trails. And really – some need to dump the spandex in a hot minute!
It’s likely that the cyclist wasn’t going excessively fast (hence, no charges and only minor injuries). Seniors can be extremely fragile and any fall at all can have deadly consequences.
In fact, any senior fall should be treated very cautiously. Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of injury deaths. They are also the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma (CDC 2005).
The risk of being seriously injured in a fall increases with age. In 2001, the rates of fall injuries for adults 85 and older were four to five times that of adults 65 to 74.
Nearly 85% of deaths from falls in 2004 were among people 75 and older (CDC 2005).
http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/index.html
I have spent time volunteering with seniors and I was taught that if a senior falls, not to help them up. Instead, call 911 and let the experts assess the situation. Many fall injuries can have no outward signs at first and their could be underlying physical issues that led to the fall in the first place.
This was a terrible accident, but this definitely counts as a learning opportunity – since most people are not aware of the risks of falls to seniors. If you have older relatives, talk to them about fall safety.
So sad that this happened
Years ago I got hit by a mountain biker who hit me going full speed from behind on a hiking trail in a national park. He didn’t say a word. I heard him last second, turned just a little bit and got hit full on, flying in the air and landing hard in the dirt, tearing some ligaments. Lucky for him, when he flew over the handle bars, he landed on me. He walked away unharmed, I ended up in the hospital. I think there should be seperate walking trails and bike trails for the safety of all concerned.
Wow. This is my first time responding to an internet “forum” but obviously couldn’t resist. I am both a walker and a rider, for the record, although I prefer to be on a bike.
As a pedestrian: I love to hear “on the left” or a bell. I don’t need “time to turn around and look”. I don’t care whose coming from behind me as I’m probably involved in conversation with my wife and/or taking in the beauty of the trail. I also don’t need “time to move out of the way” as my family and I will already be walking on the right side of the trail when the bikes cruise by. What we would like the warning for is respect. Let’s show each other that we’re still human beings living among others. We all deal with jerks on a daily basis. It’s nice to get away from that on the trail, especially one that follows a river.
As a biker: I love to hear “on the left” or a bell. Again, I don’t need “time to look behind me”. I don’t care about you or what bike you’re riding, or how your helmet matches your spandex, or how fast you can push yourself on a trail full of people. I’m obviously not in a hurry or I’d be passing you. Oh, and yes, I’ll already be on the right, unless I’m passing somebody else on the trail. Again, it’s about respect.
It is funny how even among bike riders there is this strange animosity. I can almost understand your lack of respect for me when I’m walking and you’re riding. I get it. you’re better than me because you’re faster or whatever your ego tells you. But when my family and I are RIDING?! You can’t give a holler? No respect for your fellow bikers?! Pathetic.
Lastly. Can we at least all agree that as humans, no one is perfect????
So yeah, even though he knows better my son might swerve into the middle of the trail here and there. Those people up there walking there dogs in the opposite direction might actually stop in the MIDDLE of the trail to compare cuteness of breeds (forcing me to “slow to a snails pace”). And the asshole coming up on me doing 25 mph with his little race crew might not ring a bell or say on your left, as they pass. Fine. Does it have to be so often? Can we just agree on a little compassion or better yet, decency?
There’s my solution. Simple. Respect each others right to be on the same trail, and then show it. I really don’t want to intentionally get in someones way that is doing 25 mph. Although I’m not against it either. My bike is already scuffed up from dirt trails and it really wouldn’t mind a few more.
Hugs n’ Kisses
Steve M…..oh, I mean, Anonymous
spandex hug
Thanks, Steve.
I have tried to experiment on wearing different gear and ride different style bikes to see what kinds of attitudes I get from drivers, bicyclists, walkers, etc.
Seems the more “kitted up” you get (ie. the spandex) and riding a serious-looking road bike, the worse people act towards you. If you are wearing street clothes, a BMX helmet, and riding an older MT bike, they tend to be a little more forgiving/kinder.
Re: spandex hug
As a walker and mountain bike rider I’ll answer your observation. The mountain bike riders ARE MORE FRIENDLY they don’t have a Lance Armstrong identity crisis.
When I rule the world I will outlaw spandex. I’m tired of seeing their little ‘peanuts’ while grabbing a Starbucks.