bhchdh 

It does not look like the MUP had crossing gates, but there is a clear line of sight in both directions. Norfolk's WAVE has look both way signs at each pedestrian crossing.

Chris516

I went to a link I forgot to include in my OP.

Cyclist killed after collision with Rail Runner | Albuquerque News & Weather | Abq, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, NM | krqe.com

The gates and lights were functioning, according to the news report.

Camilo

Nah, neither unsafe nor dumb. But you're entitled to your opinion.

bruce19

The only thing I hear when riding is a muffled wind sound unless I really open it up. The engine and exhaust noise is all behind me. This is with an air-cooled Ducati twin and CF after market pipes. Sitting at idle of course is a different story. And, of course, there's that dry clutch rattle that non-Ducatisti think is valve clatter.

Chris516

Then, I presume you always have your eyesight working overtime?

I-Like-To-Bike

Regular time eyesight is sufficient for seeing RR warning devices, as well as trains. Even works for people on bicycles with the ability and willingness to look where they are going and both ways at intersections.

Maybe the mystery second train came from behind and swerved off its mysterious second track into the cyclist victim while she was waiting for the first train to clear the intersection.

dynodonn 

If the motorcycle in your avatar is your main ride, your engine is basically enclosed. The motorcycles that I rode, the engines were fully exposed, along with the bare minimum of exhaust, with the worst ride being on a 3 cylinder two stroke with individual expansion chamber mufflers.

bruce19

Actually, in addition to the avatar, these two and two other Supersports along with a GS 750, GT 250, BMW R100RS and a Honda CB550.

CB HI

If the cyclist was southbound, she basically right hooked the train. There are no lights or bars at the MUP crossing, just a small X sign. The cyclist may have crossed the street with cars/trucks at a red light stop line blocking her view of the train to her right and behind. She then has to make 90 degree right turn and the same cars/trucks still blocked her view of the train. Yes she should have stopped and looked before crossing, or maybe she was rushing to catch that very train and misjudged it's speed.

Additionally, one article simply had an official who speculated that the cyclist had head phones on. The other article may have taken that speculation as fact and wrongly printed it (I know very uncommon for news stories these days; right?).

At any rate, the MUP design has too many things going on at a single point, double 90 degree turns, road crossing, train station, potential stopped cars/trucks blocking the line of sight, no train signal lights at the MUP. A better MUP design may have saved the ladies life.

CB HI

Interesting that you use claims of expertise on a motorcycle to tell everyone how they should ride a bicycle.

Wanderer

That's a single track there ----- just natural selection at work...............

https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

JoeyBike

As I was typing on my phone someone posted the google earth link image. I missed it.

There is a train track three blocks from my house that has a train on it about twice a year. Maybe it was a situation like that where she never saw a train on that particular track before and just didn't look. Anyone suspect suicide?

mconlonx

Does MSF not encourage ear plug use while riding motorcycles...?

bruce19

I make no "claims". Just relating facts. Having taught the State of CT's motorcycle safety course my expertise regarding motorcycle safety is real. And I don't care how you ride a bicycle. But, like everyone else I do have opinions. If you don't like them ignore them, plug in your ear buds and God Speed.

dynodonn 

The motorcycle in the first photo looks like it would be rather quiet, but the motorcycle in the second photo, I'd keep little children away from while it's idling.

gecho

Last year on a long ride we came to a rail crossing as the barrier was coming down. We couldn't hear or see anything, then a train came out of no where at high speed. Even in a vehicle it would have been easy to misjudge the speed. The barriers were added at that crossing because semis were regularly getting hit by trains. Just recently even with the barrier there was another crash.

Many of the rural crossing we come across like this one are at a 45 degree angle which means the train is essentially approaching from behind.

I-Like-To-Bike

Yes

CB HI

Fact is, you imply your motorcycle experience makes you an expert in bicycle safety. Far from it. Odd how many more motorcyclist die each year.

dynodonn 

One just died in my locale just last night, excessive speed was the main contributing factor.

CB HI

And now, out of the blue, a couple of folks are speculating suicide in BFs.

B. Carfree

I guess bike paths aren't defined as roads under New Mexico's statutes. If they were, then there would be a legal requirement for the rail crossings to have either a stop sign or crossing guards/flashing lights. This is just another intersection type failure mode for sidepaths. Sure, people should be able to see/hear a train, but there are many more common hazards that people don't manage to see/hear either.

So, just to tee off some segregationists, this woman would still be alive if she had forsaken the side path and taken the lane.

We had a similar death locally a year or so ago. The cyclist had ear buds in, although no one knows if he had anything playing. The city created a dangerous sidewalk connection between the riverfront bike paths and the university and this fellow used it. Unfortunately, there are no crossing guards or warning lights and the sight line down the track is woefully limited by fences and bushes. He crossed simultaneously with a train that was doing about forty mph. The tie went in the train's favor, as usual.

NoviceJohn

I'm an earbud rider. However I only use them on MUPs. When I approach a road crossing or a group of walkers or riders, I take them off so i can be more alert. I put them back on once i pass them. When I ride in a group or on the road, I never use them. People may say using them on MUPs is still unsafe but I'm aware of surroundings with my buds on, enough to not run into other riders. Just my two cents.

Chris516

Suppose the signal lights', and signal gates are malfunctioning. Then you don't hear the train coming.
Do you meant the Suzuki GS750? My father had one of them in the 1970's n' 1980's.
See, You actually are taking responsibility, for wearing them.

OldTryGuy

67-senior moment, brain fart, death wish**********

There are people without earbuds, headphones, helmet, boom box, whatever.... who wind up simply being caught in the cosmic drift and zone out.

bruce19

Yup. A GS750. It was the first bike I ever rode for any distance. Back in 1978 I did a trip from eastern CT to Topeka...Helena...Seattle...Down the coast to San Diego...Grand Canyon....back to CT. I did it solo although there was a stretch from Topeka to Helena that my then GF flew out for. She flew back home from Helena. Quite an eye-opener for me and the start of many, many miles on a motorcycle. That GS was kind of bullet proof and served me well until I decided I "needed" a BMW R100RS.