Advocacy & Safety - Bicyclist killed in Raleigh

This occurred on my daily commute route!

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/2707757p-9145266c.html

http://www.wral.com/news/4831835/detail.html


I bet they will find a reason that it was the bicyclist's fault and not prosecute...


Collision kills Raleigh bicyclist

RALEIGH -- A bicyclist died Tuesday night after a station wagon struck him in West Raleigh.

The man, thought to be in his 30s, was headed east on his gray BMX bicycle near Hillsborough Street and Pine Stump Lane when he was struck, said Lt. Rick Grayson of the Raleigh Police Department.

The station wagon driven, by Emily Norwood McGill, 29, of Cary, was headed in the same direction. McGill did not see the bicyclist in the dark stretch of Hillsborough Street, Grayson said.

Police were attempting to confirm the man's identity late Tuesday. No decision has been made on whether to file charges against McGill; the investigation is continuing.

This occurred on my daily commute route!

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/2707757p-9145266c.html

http://www.wral.com/news/4831835/detail.html


I bet they will find a reason that it was the bicyclist's fault and not prosecute...


Not a lot of information, but it happened at night, and it was a BMX bike. I have yet to see lights on a BMX bike. I am sure that some people have them, but I have yet to see them. Active lights greatly improve one's chances of being seen by an automobile driver at night. Many times, one's reflectors only get into the direct headlight beams when it is too late.
A quick look at NC's laws pertaining to bicycles and lights reveals:
20-129. Required Lighting Equipment of Vehicles.

(a) When Vehicles Must Be Equipped. – Every vehicle upon a highway within this State shall be equipped with lighted headlamps and rear lamps as required for different classes of vehicles, and subject to exemption with reference to lights on parked vehicles as declared in G.S. 20-134:
(1) During the period from sunset to sunrise,
(2) When there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernible any person
on the highway at a distance of 400 feet ahead.


(e) Lamps on Bicycles. Every bicycle shall be equipped with a lighted lamp visible up to three hundred feet in front when used at night and must also be equipped with a taillight or rear reflector that is red and visible for up to two hundred feet from the rear when used at night.

It is sad that he was killed. I hope he had lights so that he was in the right. My feeling is that if he did not have lights, and if the driver was sober, the driver may not be charged.

I agree that it's sad that he was killed but if he had no lights/reflectors, he may very well be at fault. I've had a few close calls in my home town (with me driving) nearly hitting cyclists.

Note: If you have a dark colored bike, no reflectors, and are wearing dark clothing at night... DO NOT TRY TO BEAT A CAR ACROSS THE STREET.
Once I only stopped in time because I saw the shine of SPOKES from my headlights. I didn't see the rider until I was already stopped.

For reasons like this I look like a little kid on my bike at night. Big reflectors on the wheels, Headlight, Rear flashing light, and those cheesy flashers that go on valve stems. I would much rather be seen and laughed at than not seen and attending my own funeral.

Lights are cheap and easily removed when not needed... life is not cheap.

...and those cheesy flashers that go on valve stems.

I almost thought of buying those for any rides that go past dusk!

How do they look? Can ya still use the playing cards and clothespins? :D

This occurred on my daily commute route!

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/2707757p-9145266c.html

http://www.wral.com/news/4831835/detail.html


I bet they will find a reason that it was the bicyclist's fault and not prosecute...


Collision kills Raleigh bicyclist

RALEIGH -- A bicyclist died Tuesday night after a station wagon struck him in West Raleigh.

The man, thought to be in his 30s, was headed east on his gray BMX bicycle near Hillsborough Street and Pine Stump Lane when he was struck, said Lt. Rick Grayson of the Raleigh Police Department.

The station wagon driven, by Emily Norwood McGill, 29, of Cary, was headed in the same direction. McGill did not see the bicyclist in the dark stretch of Hillsborough Street, Grayson said.

Police were attempting to confirm the man's identity late Tuesday. No decision has been made on whether to file charges against McGill; the investigation is continuing.


The second link above says no lights no reflectors. That is not a good section of the road to be having no light. Because the street does not have any lights either. I go through there twice a day on my bike. Though both reports slightly differ on where it happen they are only about 1/2 mile apart. No road lights and no lights/reflectors on the bike the guy was looking for trouble.

I forward articles like this to my son. He is 15 and loves to ride his BMX bike. I know he won't put lights on his BMX because it isn't 'cool'.

He knows I've been an avid cyclist/commuter/tourist since before he was born. He also knows I ride with a helmet, lights, AND reflective tape.

For those kids who won't put lights on their bike, please try to get them to consider reflective tape. There are so many different types and colors now. They also come in different widths. At the Mall, if you have an idea of what you want done, you can have vinyl cut with a plodder/computer. Lots of different designs to choose from. Throw some reflective tape in there and a BMX rider can have flames cut from reflective vinyl/tape and it will look like factory!

Just an idea my son and I are working on.

I'm not questioning anyone's parenting skills - I raised a son and know what happens during their teen years - but... safety has to come first all the time... no lights, no night riding.

I have more sympathy for the driver.

No doubt the city of Raleigh will use this unlighted/unreflectored night cyclist incident as an excuse to designate yet another sidewalk as a bike path....

I am constantly surprised (especially now that the weather's reliably nice here in the great Northwet) at how frequently I see cyclists riding in near or total darkness, with no reflectors, no lights, but wearing dark clothing on top of it! Sure, everyone's been caught out late accidentally, but the way you see these kids meandering along the street sure makes it look like they're as oblivious to the danger as any SUV driver.
That's not to minimise the tragedy of what happened in NC; my thoughts are with the family and friends of the cyclist.

I almost thought of buying those for any rides that go past dusk!

How do they look? Can ya still use the playing cards and clothespins? :D

During the daytime, even if they flash it's not bright enough to be visible (i.e. using a flashlight on a sunny day). They are visible at most angles from more than 300 ft, and all angle at least 50 ft (they light up the road a bit).

Since they are turned on from being jarred, going at a consistant 15mph or more they'll turn off 30 seconds after being turned on, but if you hit a rough patch of road they'll start flashing again.

For me, it's just 1 extra thing for people to see.

My dad said I look like a christmas tree coming down the road with all the flashies that I have.

They don't interfere with clothespins, playing cards, or beads.

No doubt the city of Raleigh will use this unlighted/unreflectored night cyclist incident as an excuse to designate yet another sidewalk as a bike path....

Hopefully it gets used to find ways better enforce/market the NC laws regarding being visible at night. You can just as easily be hit by a car while crossing the street if you're not paying attention and are 'invisible'

With the possible exception of Tony Hawk, if you're 30 or more and still riding your BMX bike, it might be time to ask your caseworker for the dough to go to Goodwill and get a grown-up's bike. With lights and reflectors.

Oh wait, screwed up, Tony Hawk's the 30+ guy on a sk8board, not a BMX, lol!

this story is also another case where the cyclist was not carrying ID. I always carry so that they can contact my family if something like this happens.

I forward articles like this to my son. He is 15 and loves to ride his BMX bike. I know he won't put lights on his BMX because it isn't 'cool'.

He knows I've been an avid cyclist/commuter/tourist since before he was born. He also knows I ride with a helmet, lights, AND reflective tape.

For those kids who won't put lights on their bike, please try to get them to consider reflective tape. There are so many different types and colors now. They also come in different widths. At the Mall, if you have an idea of what you want done, you can have vinyl cut with a plodder/computer. Lots of different designs to choose from. Throw some reflective tape in there and a BMX rider can have flames cut from reflective vinyl/tape and it will look like factory!

Just an idea my son and I are working on.
Reflective tape isn't nearly as visible as lights. It helps, but it's no substitute for a good light in my opinion.

If I were his dad, I think I'd put my foot down and demand that he use lights if he wants to ride at night. Bike lights are easily removable. I can take off my front and back lights in about 5 seconds.