Advocacy & Safety - Two Cyclists' Deaths in Los Angeles

Cyclists' Deaths Point to PCH Perils


The breathtaking views on the Pacific Coast Highway carry risks for cyclists, who ride in the sea breeze at considerable peril as cars on the narrow road zoom by.

On Saturday morning, a catering truck hit two cyclists, who had been forced off the northbound shoulder and onto the road by a construction project. The driver did not stop immediately after hitting the men, who died soon after being airlifted to UCLA Medical Center.

Rest of article in the following link:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-pch14sep14,1,6215443.story?coll=la-headlines-california

This is a rare rear-ender, which could have been prevented by the use of rear view mirrors by the bicyclists. Condolences to the family.

Just so people can place this one. It is on PCH just North of Peperdine. Normally a prety good section of road, reasonable shoulder. It has been a while since I've been out there, but there was not a bike lane and I doubt there is one now.

This is a rare rear-ender, which could have been prevented by the use of rear view mirrors by the bicyclists.

How? Long section of road with no where to go to get out of the way. Not much one can do all mirrors would have done is let them see death coming.

How? Long section of road with no where to go to get out of the way. Not much one can do all mirrors would have done is let them see death coming.

I have ridden that section of PCH. Most of PCH out of Santa Monica is knarly. If you check your rear-view mirror BEFORE you merge off the shoulder and into the regular lanes, you can see traffic coming up your arse, way before it gets nailed.

It's hard to tell from the story whether the cyclists waited too late to merge into the traffic lane, or if they had already established position in the traffic lane before getting hit.

Here's a picture:
http://photos.imageevent.com/aero92/other/PCH%20Perils.jpg

Here's a picture:
http://photos.imageevent.com/aero92/other/PCH%20Perils.jpg


Looks like some cute lawyer is gonna make a whole bunch of money from CADOT! The way the construction zone is set up is contributory.

But, then again, the attoney for the defence, CADOT, will invoke Boub V Wayne. Cyclists shouldn't be on PCH in the first place...blah blah blah.

From what I've heard by some others that ride up that way frequently, the area of the collision is under construction. The company doing the construction work had placed k-rails (commonly called "jersey barriers") RIGHT UP TO the white line on the edge of the road, which they arguably should not have done. Expect a lawsuit against the general contractor for sure.

Anyway, since there was no shoulder, the cyclist had nowhere to go, with or without a mirror. Since he was likely moving downhill at a reasonable speed, stopping would have been difficult and may have resulted in a crash with him AND the other rider getting injured or run over (those that have ridden in groups will know what I mean).

So you had a couple of cyclists barreling downhill at moderate to high speed, rounding a curve (where visibility isn't super great to start with), only to get "squeezed" off the shoulder by inappropriately-placed construction barriers. Not good. Add to it the asshat driving the truck who reportedly didn't want to slam on the brakes because there were other guys cooking (yes, COOKING) in the back. This is illegal as hell, for those that don't know.

Yes, these are the idiots we deal with on a daily basis. Be careful out there people!!!

Here's the whole story:

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-pch14sep14,1,5990523.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-california&ctrack=1&cset=true

From what I've heard by some others that ride up that way frequently, the area of the collision is under construction. The company doing the construction work had placed k-rails (commonly called "jersey barriers") RIGHT UP TO the white line on the edge of the road, which they arguably should not have done. Expect a lawsuit against the general contractor for sure.

Anyway, since there was no shoulder, the cyclist had nowhere to go, with or without a mirror. Since he was likely moving downhill at a reasonable speed, stopping would have been difficult and may have resulted in a crash with him AND the other rider getting injured or run over (those that have ridden in groups will know what I mean).

So you had a couple of cyclists barreling downhill at moderate to high speed, rounding a curve (where visibility isn't super great to start with), only to get "squeezed" off the shoulder by inappropriately-placed construction barriers. Not good. Add to it the asshat driving the truck who reportedly didn't want to slam on the brakes because there were other guys cooking (yes, COOKING) in the back. This is illegal as hell, for those that don't know.



Some cute lawyer for the cyclists' family will make a bunch of money. Hey, someone call Gary Brustin! http://bicyclelawyer.com/bicyclelawyer.com/index.html

Typically barriers are placed to leave a shoulder (might be narrower than normal, but usually SOMETHING is left). If any of the barricades are over the line without having obtained the appropriate permits from Caltrans, the G.C. is f*cked and will possibly be nailed for gross negligance. Either way, the lawyers are going to have a field day with this one.

Side note, since we're talking about riding safety - even when there IS a shoulder, anytime you have k-rails present at the edge of the road, they just become "junk collectors" and a shoulder strewn with debris can be as big a hazard as anything else. Anyone that rides CA roads with any regularity knows there is WAY too much trash, debris, etc. on the roadsides that never gets picked up. Not to mention the "junk barges" that roll around with crap literally falling out of the back (no tarp, no cover, etc.) It's all too common.

The article says they were riding side by side, which means at least one of them was pretty far left.

This guy should get the death penalty as far as I'm concerned.

Outrageous.

This guy should get the death penalty as far as I'm concerned.



Yes. The car driver was certainly wild and crazy and murdered people. But, don't you think the State be held to a higher standard than a lowlife, good-fer-nuthin' wild and crazy car driver?

The article says they were riding side by side, which means at least one of them was pretty far left.

This guy should get the death penalty as far as I'm concerned.

Outrageous.

What? Are you SURE there wasn't some way that the cyclists could have avoided this...

Perhaps they did not ensure it was clear far enough back, or perhaps they abruptly pulled out in front of the food truck, perhaps they should have moved further to the left or perhaps their mirrors were dirty, or...

I donno, I want to see a full investigation before committing to the death penalty... after all the motorist did say "I didn't see them... "

I guess broad daylight, two cyclists in the middle of the lane, is just not visible, eh?

I ride that section often (last time was 9 days ago). The construction site is along an uphill stretch.
The driver could have seen riders well far ahead due to the grade. It's quite common to get breezed on PCH due to the speeds, the amount of traffic and the erratic shoulder width. This last Saturday morning
was foggy at the beach. The driver should have been driving at reduced speed because of the fog, certainly not driving over the limit like the article states. I'm sure I'll get a chill next time I ride that bit of road again.

What? Are you SURE there wasn't some way that the cyclists could have avoided this...

Perhaps they did not ensure it was clear far enough back, or perhaps they abruptly pulled out in front of the food truck, perhaps they should have moved further to the left or perhaps their mirrors were dirty, or...

I donno, I want to see a full investigation before committing to the death penalty... after all the motorist did say "I didn't see them... "

I guess broad daylight, two cyclists in the middle of the lane, is just not visible, eh?

This is the classic rear-ender, rare, but could have been avoided by the use or rear-view mirror by the cyclists. But, the fault is with the wild and crazy car driver.

This is the classic rear-ender, rare, but could have been avoided by the use or rear-view mirror by the cyclists. But, the fault is with the wild and crazy car driver.

Honestly if the cyclists had seen this guy in their mirrors, were would they have gone to avoid the truck? The side of the road was closed, and only the other lane was available. In reality, the truck should have slowed down had the driver been paying attention...

Honestly if the cyclists had seen this guy in their mirrors, were would they have gone to avoid the truck? The side of the road was closed, and only the other lane was available. In reality, the truck should have slowed down had the driver been paying attention...

The cyclists would have seen the truck long before merging into traffic.

This is the classic rear-ender, rare, but could have been avoided by the use or rear-view mirror by the cyclists.

I don't buy the mirror bit. I have two mirrors on my bike, and there just isn't time to safely monitor both the road ahead and traffic behind. The road ahead takes almost constant attention. Even if you catch a glimpse of something coming, by the time it's obvious it's too late to do anything other than clench your butt cheeks and hope.

I don't leave home with a helmet-mounted rear-view. That's right. Bike mounted rear views require a look-down.

This section of road is straight, slightly uphill and at present, because of construction, without a shoulder.
A rear view mirror wouldn't have saved anybody in this case. There is nowhere to go. If the riders were two abreast they were doing the only reasonable thing. They had to take the lane since the shoulder is non-existent for a significant distance.

You can easily see a single rider 1/2 mile ahead along there if you're paying attention. I'd guess the driver was distracted by something happening in the back of the truck and just gave up on driving for a while.

The cyclists would have seen the truck long before merging into traffic.

And a look back couldn't tell them this? Could it be they saw the truck, saw how far back it was and simply assumed that the truck will see them in plenty of time to slow down, so no big deal?

Not a good course of action frankly. I never assume I am seen. Yes, I do believe cyclists are invisible. No, I don't always act like it, but when I need to make sure I am seen by faster traffic behind me, I signal and wait for something to slow down first. I use that vehicle as a shield between me and anything behind the now slowed vehicle.

Is that a perfect system... no way.

The slowed shield vehicle can be plowed into behind them, driving them forward into me. (I have had that happen to me in an auto, so I know it can happen to a cyclist). Motorists behind the slowed shield vehicle can become upset (gee, that never happens) and pull sudden passing moves around the slowed vehicle assuming that there is free space in front... where I am.

But only depending on mirrors and signals and lane positioning to make one "visible," nah, there is a real fatal flaw in that thinking.

The cyclists would have seen the truck long before merging into traffic.

What makes you think they just didn't check their six before getting over? Not having, or having a mirror has nothing to do with this. Give it a rest.

But only depending on mirrors and signals and lane positioning to make one "visible," nah, there is a real fatal flaw in that thinking.

You are right. Rear-view, signals, and positioning doesn't always protect. I would look for a gap in the traffic. Get in front of a slow mover and use him for protection. Car driver who insists on slowly tailgating me at a respectable distance is a good boy. They can honk all they want. But, as long as they are behind me, protecting me from the speedy gonzalez, it is ok with me.

And what happens when the slow-mover changes lanes and passes you? Now whose protecting you from speedy gonzalez?

And what happens when the slow-mover changes lanes and passes you? Now whose protecting you from speedy gonzalez?

Nothing... that is the other flaw in the shielding car problem. It is best to get cooperation from a motorist when doing this... not to depend on someone that is just moving slow, but someone that understands and slows down.

But this is not perfect either as I mentioned several posts back.

Do you think just being "out there" on your own is better?

I'll let cassave give the on site details, but it is pretty easy to look up the Jewish center in question and they have several pages of photographs. It is a BIG construction site. Looks like at least a half mile perhaps over a mile where the shoulder is gone. In that case there is no way to wait for a long enough break in traffic to clear the barrier before a jerk has a chance to get you. Unless you are a pro rider you would need at least a mile break, and that just isn't going to happen on PCH.

And what happens when the slow-mover changes lanes and passes you? Now whose protecting you from speedy gonzalez?

Yeah...I really hate when my slow guardian make like a bat and passes...hopefully, I am back on the shoulder or catch another slow goomba. But, when you gotta cross that construction zone, I call them chokers, you gotta do what ya gotta do.

Translation, please.

Translation, please.

Yes I really hate it when the "shield car" decides to change lanes and move on. Hopefully I am in a better position when that happens or perhaps I can catch another potential "shield car" to finish my trek. But when you are forced into a narrow place on a fast road, such as a construction zone, or "bottle neck," you have to deal with it in the best way you know how.

Yes I really hate it when the "shield car" decides to change lanes and move on. Hopefully I am in a better position when that happens or perhaps I can catch another potential "shield car" to finish my trek. But when you are forced into a narrow place on a fast road, such as a construction zone, or "bottle neck," you have to deal with it in the best way you know how.

Right...what he said.

Just an FYI in case anyone is going through here soon. There is an alternate route, but if coming from the south you have to make it to the road by the beach before you make the small climb up to Pepperdine. If coming through the canyon to the beach it is probably about a mile extra since you have to turn south and then head back north. Also when the road ends your only choice is to turn back south, so you have to become a pedestrian to cross PCH. Nasty crossing, but possible to get a big enough break and overall perhaps less stressfull.

Right...what he said.

I just ran it through babelfish... worked fine. :D

I just ran it through babelfish... worked fine. :D

smartass.

The article says they were riding side by side, which means at least one of them was pretty far left.

This guy should get the death penalty as far as I'm concerned.

Outrageous.


Riding side by side on a narrow, busy road. The cyclists are partially responsible for riding like this.

How are they partially responsible? One was probably passing the other. Regardless of whether he was, he could have been.

And so what if they were in single file? Why do you think they wouldn't have been hit?

Riding side by side on a narrow, busy road. The cyclists are partially responsible for riding like this.

Yeah...they are partially responsible for riding a bike in the first place...They should have stayed home.

Yes I really hate it when the "shield car" decides to change lanes and move on. Hopefully I am in a better position when that happens or perhaps I can catch another potential "shield car" to finish my trek. But when you are forced into a narrow place on a fast road, such as a construction zone, or "bottle neck," you have to deal with it in the best way you know how.
Yeah, I got that... but exactly what is he suggesting they should have done instead?

Let's say they had a goomba, and the goomba changed lanes and took off, and there were no more goombas, just one more catering truck rolling along from behind, and you're still a 1/4 mile from the end of the narrow contruction zone. You gotta do what ya gotta do... yeah, right... and that would be what in this situation?

Yeah, I got that... but exactly what is he suggesting they should have done instead?

Let's say they had a goomba, and the goomba changed lanes and took off, and there were no more goombas, just one more catering truck rolling along from behind, and you're still a 1/4 mile from the end of the narrow contruction zone. You gotta do what ya gotta do... yeah, right... and that would be what in this situation?

SMACKASS!!!

Yeah, I got that... but exactly what is he suggesting they should have done instead?

Let's say they had a goomba, and the goomba changed lanes and took off, and there were no more goombas, just one more catering truck rolling along from behind, and you're still a 1/4 mile from the end of the narrow contruction zone. You gotta do what ya gotta do... yeah, right... and that would be what in this situation?

Good question... bad situation. What would you do? Of course you don't know that the idiot in the catering truck is blind...

For me this type of thing only comes in very small bites... such as that Genesee off ramp... and my goomba is limited in their movement by me.

barenakedbiker...

First you said, "This is the classic rear-ender, rare, but could have been avoided by the use or rear-view mirror by the cyclists."

When Gene asked how, you said "The cyclists would have seen the truck long before merging into traffic."

With more points from Gene, you took a new tack. "I would look for a gap in the traffic. Get in front of a slow mover and use him for protection. Car driver who insists on slowly tailgating me at a respectable distance is a good boy. They can honk all they want. But, as long as they are behind me, protecting me from the speedy gonzalez, it is ok with me."

At which point I jumped in and asked what happens when your slow mover passes you.

That's when you came up with "you gotta do what ya gotta do."

And when I ask what that means, all you can come up with is, "SMACKASS"?

Are you backing off from your initial position that this could have been avoided?

barenakedbiker...


And when I ask what that means, all you can come up with is, "SMACKASS"?



Wow! First there was Abbott and Costello vs the Wolfman; then there was Godzilla vs Mothra; and now more wacky and wild - Helmet Head vs. Barenakedbiker in a classic Bare-Knuckle Keyboard Battle of Dogmatic Babblers.

And when I ask what that means, all you can come up with is, "SMACKASS"?

Are you backing off from your initial position that this could have been avoided?

Well, before SMACKASS, it could have been avoided. But, once the shield vehicle passes, and you are not out of the kill zone...SMACKASS!

Wow! First there was Abbott and Costello vs the Wolfman; then there was Godzilla vs Mothra; and now more wacky and wild - Helmet Head vs. Barenakedbiker in a classic Bare-Knuckle Keyboard Battle of Dogmatic Babblers.

BWWWAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAA!!! :lol:

My friends and I were finishing our multi-day coastal tour and just one day before the accident rode through that very same quarter mile stretch of construction zone which was barely wide enough for one vehicle in each direction with absolutely no shoulder. We waited for a break in traffic but vehicles travelling at 50 mph on that stretch would have eventually caught up with any cyclist no matter what.

I ride down to the beach via the bike lane on San Vicente, hang a right on the California Incline by 3rd St Promenade, ride over the pedestrian bridge, then take the bike path on the beach. There is no way in hell that I would ever, ever ride my bicycle on PCH. It's really nice to cruise on your motorcycle, but when traffic is going 50+, 60+ miles an hour on a winding highway, you're playing with death. Note that this is a Highway and CA states that slow-moving vehicles have to stay as far right as possible. There is no "take the lane" or anything else like that allowed.

I was up that way last week and that paarticular part of the freeway is brutal. I almost hit two cyclist when they ran out of room and came onto the lane i was in. Thankfully i really wasn't going to fast and was able to slow down. But it comes upon you quickly and thier isn't much in the way of signs pointing to the freeway becoming one lane, If you drive up that way it sucks and you know what i mean :(

Normally PCH is scary because of the speeds car attain on it, however this construction thing is a whole different ball game. If you need to ride that coast which is awesome, Park at Leo Carillo and ride until you hit "Los posas Rd" make a right on the off ramp and go down until Pleasant Valley rd make a left go all the way down to Ventura RD Make a right ,then another right on East Hueneme Rd .... then back unto to pch and back to leo carillo. I think its 50 or 60 km the bike lanes are pretty big and the traffic isn't bad and its alot safer than the Pier to zuma and back run. My .02 cents

Also for anyone saying the bike mirrors would help. The answer is no way, the construction barriers are on the top of a gradual hill, almost a blind spot, all you would see is whatever emblem is on the grill of the vehicle. They need more construction signs and let the motorist know that the freeway becomes single lane lets say about 1500 meters before it actually does becomes a single lane.

Riding side by side on a narrow, busy road. The cyclists are partially responsible for riding like this.

Nowhere did it say this was a narrow road. It is a two lane each way road. Parts have a median for left turns, parts do not. They were in the right hand lane. Side by side means maximum visability.

BTW there has been at least one post in this thread showing a picture with all 4 lanes visable.

EDIT:

Since it seems several have called this a narrow section I thought I'd reference the post with the photo. Post number 7 on this thread. You can also lookup Malibu Jewish Center (referenced in the article) in Google. They have a website with lots of pictures of the construction. Then go to Yahoo and use the yellow pages to find the address and then go to maps to see where it is. I'm not sure just where the site is that many are talking about, I would guess several miles farther south. As I recall the section in question here is flat, or nearly so at the top of the bluffs, just North of Pepperdine.

Note that this is a Highway and CA states that slow-moving vehicles have to stay as far right as possible. There is no "take the lane" or anything else like that allowed.
You need to read the relevant laws a little bit more carefully. Haven't we already been over this in another thread?

Legally, the quiet residential street upon which you probably live is just as much a "highway" as is PCH.



360 (http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d01/vc360.htm). "Highway" is a way or place of whatever nature, publicly maintained and open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel. Highway includes street.

A cyclist is not legally obligated to ride "as far right as practicable" on any highway, including PCH, when the lane is too narrow to be safely shared side-by-side.



21202 (http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21202.htm). (a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations:

(1) When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.

(2) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

(3) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes) that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge, subject to the provisions of Section 21656. For purposes of this section, a "substandard width lane" is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.

(4) When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.

If you're going to write about what is or is not legal, please do so accurately. There is enough misunderstanding about cyclist legal rights out there already.