Bicyclist Dies After Being Struck By Patrol Car
 

http://news.tbo.com/news/MGBZRIK2ZEE.html

Looks like it was more the cyclist fault though....this is in "my neighborhood".

No, the cop is at fault, because he was in a car. Right?

Close, but not quite. The cop is at fault because he's a pawn of the aristocratic capitalist patriarchy.

Three! You used three words in one sentence that aren't even a part of my normal vocabulary! This thread is going places.

Darwin at work.

Not much info in that article..for example, how do they know the cop was driving the speed limit - on his word, or by analysis of the data in his vehicle's 'black box'? And why is WalMart even mentioned (cue scary Twilight Zone Theramin music...)? IMO, just another Florida incident - worst state in the union to bicycle in.

I got jit by a Sheriffs car in Hollywood once. He was making a right on red while looking to the left. I however was sidewalk riding across the crosswalk, therefore was wrong too. Luckily I was fine and the bike too. Just a little rash. A cop has faults just like others do, but a cyclist in the accident can be wrong too.

That at least has some informational value, it kind of narrows down where it took place. What I found odd is the last bit:

"It also appeared Lemke had groceries in a basket on his bicycle. They were scattered across the road".

WTH does that have to do with anything? Expatriate may be on to something, a rich aristocrat would never stoop to using a bicycle for transportation.

It is perfectly legal and acceptable to ride a bike on the sidewalks in Florida. Here is the statute regarding that
State Statute Title XXIII Chapter 316.2065 Bicycle regulations.
(10) A person propelling a vehicle by human power upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, has all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances.

(11) A person propelling a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.

I like this story better.
Sounds like the man was walking down the street, and a windshield flew up and impaled him.

Not, "Motorist mows down pedestrian, and flees with the man imbeded in the windshield". :rolleyes:

http://www.tbo.com/news/MGB6QRXI0FE.html?imw=Y

There's no way I'll argue that one. I agree 100%. That is why I "always" ride the trails...I'm afraid to ride on roads here.


I don't know about the article, but I've been hearing a lot about this on the radio news (what I listen to most) and it seems most eye witnesses (was in busy area) say the cyclist was just ambling across the road when it was not safe to do so. Also say the cop, from his position had no way of avoiding hitting the cyclist. At least that's what I've heard from what are claimed to be eye witness accounts.

It was obviously Wal Mart's fault..........WAL MART!!! Yet another person killed by low, low prices!!

That sounds a tad sketchy...........

Damn Right. ;)

Do you have some kind of motorist guilt complex or what?

He must have been struck on the head by falling prices.

Actually, If you don't mind me strecthing the facts a bit, I can pin this on Wal-Mart and the capalist system, the Military-industrial complex, and big oil companies. The car thanks to big oil and big industry, and an interstate highway system desgined to quickly deploy troops. the car is the dominate mood of transpertation in this country. With the exception of a few places like Portland, this country is not designed for bikes. Wal-Marts aren't the cause of suburbinization, but they have sucked the life out of old urban cores. Most people live in neighboorhoods were the local grocery store is well out of practical walking distance and even out of cycling distance. Wal-Mart drives wages down, making car ownership a substanial finical burden, but something that is nessecary for a decent qaulity of life. (just ask the people of NO).
The man how got hit was likely retired and for whatever reason he couldn't drive. Due to the low payments of Social Security (all our money goes to war) He has to shop at the cheapest store possible (Wal-Mart). So he rides his motorized bike down to the store, forced to negotiate major roads/higways without adequte crossings.

In holland every street has a bike lane, btu more importantly neighboors are laid in a dense patern with apartments and townhouses close to stores, with single family homes farther out. Most stores have very small or non-exsistant parking lots.

I'm not going to advocate a socialist revolution, but how about smart growth? More Us cities should fallow portlands lead, or maybe just hang out in europe for a while.

Most plausible explanation so far.