Photos from fatal bike crash in Cincy this morning
 

A friend of mine came across this scene this morning. The cyclist died.

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...08949841_n.jpg

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...04140366_n.jpg

Note the handicapped plate on the car.

Here's the story in the Cincy paper:


The most ridiculous quote from the article: "It was not clear why Gast [the victim] was riding on the road instead of the bike path on the side of the road."

Just as ridiculous as someone else who wrote, "Note the handicapped plate on the car."

I didn't know trolls looked like cheshire cats.

Ridiculous Death....

OK Smart Guy. Do you KNOW something about this accident other than what is in that picture or the news story? If so, explain the relevance to the death of the cyclist in pointing out that the license plate indicated the car owner is entitled to handicaped parking privileges. Or as I expect, you are like the OP just casting aspersions/speculating in order to support your personal prejudices.

The article also goes on to say:

No matter how you look at it, the driver failed one of the basic rules of driving... Don't hit things that are right in front of you.

That is pretty much RULE#1.

ILTB - You're probably right. My comment about the driver's handicapped plate likely is improper, and is irrelevent.

My brother lives and rides a red Roubaix just like that in Northern OH.

On the topic of the handicap plate, in this part of the country, a lot of elderly people have handicap plates, and they are responsible for more of the buzzes than an other group. I didn't read any article associated with the crash, but my guess would be the operator was elderly and will be free to continue driving and not seeing things tomorrow.

I just read the article and I was wrong about the age.

27 yrs old, terrible. he had his whole life ahead of him

Paul,

According to the article the driver was 40, hardly "elderly."

Edit: Apparently the mobile app won't allow one to delete a post. I didn't see your second post.

We are now both in agreement about waiting for the investigation before jumping to conclusions.
I suspect the time of day and potential visibility issues (to include sunrise glare in eyes of driver, bicycle/motorist lighting and/or both) may be involved. Or it may turn out that driver's "handicap" may be relevant after the facts are known. What is not in doubt is that this is a tragic loss of life of a brother bicyclist

Looking at the one photograph with the police in the background, that is some nice bike "path". I see plenty of dirt and rocks, not pavement and a puddle of water too. Of course he's not in the bike "path"!

Reading the article, its a multi-use and multi-directional path. Not something I would want to ride in.

On the other hand, looking at the results of riding on that road doesn't look that appealing either.

You really should have "The Devils Advocate" under your user name.

I don't know if it is a regional thing or not, but old folks seem to live in utter fear of venturing into the oncoming lane to effect a pass. I have been buzzed by more old folks than any other category...even the Bubbas. Do you get that in your area too?

Agreed, if that's there idea of a "bike path" it's no wonder that cyclists aren't using it. Hell I don't see how walkers would want to use it.

I have to admit that I haven't really paid too much attention to the close passers. I'll try to do so.

If it's regional, then I guess the West Coast is part of your region. The most problematic passes I have seem to involve elderly folks and members of what some of my friends call "The Lost Generation", the folks who are too young to have experienced the second bike boom of the '60s-'70s, and are too old to jump in with the youngsters who are creating the third boom today. In fairness, it is only a small minority of either group who are causing problems and it seems to be mostly done from ignorance.

Back on topic: I'm always amazed when people run into things that are right in front of them. I doubt if the disabled sticker is relevant, but I'd sure like to see the driver's cell phone log. (I know, ILTB, this is nothing but conjecture, but there are only so many reasons for running into someone who is right in front of you, and not looking is right up there.)

While working as a surveyor long ago I noticed the same thing. You could stand at the edge of the road and they would just miss you. Funny thing though... if you put a traffic cone on the side of the road, they gave it a wide berth!

100% AGREE. I have had elderly pass within an inch traveling as slow and precise as possible to do it without going into the next lane. Like they are threading a needle.

That is pretty funny in a really sad way.

Considering the point of impact it looks like the bike was in proper posture and the car failed to adjust speed,which appears high by that force. A friend of mine has a bad right eye(blind in it) which I am not saying is a cause for a handicap plate or an accident, it could account for a depth perception or field of view issue.

The bike path is a 5 mile loop around the airport. That section of the path, 1.1 miles, is basically a wide sidewalk, with driveways and very uneven pavement. The road is smooth and wide enough for cars to pass by just barely crossing the center line. I always ride on the road there. The speed limit is 40 mph.

Here's the bike rider's route, going northeast: ridewithgps.com/routes/1646786 Pull down the Map at the top right and select OSM Cycle or Satellite to see the road conditions.

I wouldn't have expected a bike collision on that road, given the sight lines, and all the common bike and walker traffic in the area. It was dark, 6:15 am, sunrise is 7:03.

I had the same thought. There appear to be lights on the bars - probably in the rear too.

-G

I hadn't noticed/thought of that, but presumably all things be equal and judging by where the bike was wedged into the car. It looks as if he was just left of the right tire track.

So unless the driver was distracted by something more "important" than driving. Theres no reason he shouldn't have seen the cyclist.

And I agree in that it would be nice to see the drivers cell phone/OnStar records. As well as their driving record.

There does appear to be something (presumably a taillight) clap tongue seat post just above the seat post clamp.

How old is old to you? At what age does one qualify to fit your stereotyping of "old folks?" Does a 40 year old driver qualify? If not WTF does your observation have to do with this accident?

BTW, How do you guesstimate drivers' age while riding your bike? Blue/gray/no hair, driving a Buick, anybody who looks older than you, or what?

Is it legal in Ohio to cross that double yellow line?

For my part I'd be on the "path." You will never win with a car. Ride to survive. My deepest sympathy to the cyclists family.