I happened across this news story:

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&ie=UTF-8&q=washington+state+patrol+cyclist

"Obviously, a bicyclist has the same rights to be on the road as a vehicle," said State Trooper Gerry Wier. So hopefully this will be handled as a serious incident and not just passed off with an "oh well, that will be $250 please" like the Cooper Jones case.

I'll update this first post if I see further news.

Thank you for that. I heard about it over on bentrideronline, but they did not have details on his name yet. It's very sad.

BTW, since it's a recumbent, I'll remark on an observation I made the other day. I was up on 57th Avenue, which has one lane each way, a two-way center turn lane, and a bike lane on each side. I was going west, and suddenly noticed a recumbent rider on the other side of the road, when he was almost passing me the other way. It was daytime.

The recumbent appeared to be a 700c rear, 24-inch front, with the rider nearly horizontal on his back. The cyclist was VERY hard to notice, there was so little frontal surface to see. It would've helped if the rider had been wearing a bright color, or had maybe a strobe or something. Anyway, it was one of those eye-opener experiences. The analogy coming to mind is a fish... from the front view, many fish are very thin.

Wow, that hits close to home.
Also, a loaded recumbent is not that hard to see either with panniers or a bob (with the standard bob flag).
Washington drivers have been the worst around tourers so far on my trip.

BTW, since it's a recumbent, I'll remark on an observation I made the other day. I was up on 57th Avenue, which has one lane each way, a two-way center turn lane, and a bike lane on each side. I was going west, and suddenly noticed a recumbent rider on the other side of the road, when he was almost passing me the other way. It was daytime.

The recumbent appeared to be a 700c rear, 24-inch front, with the rider nearly horizontal on his back. The cyclist was VERY hard to notice, there was so little frontal surface to see. It would've helped if the rider had been wearing a bright color, or had maybe a strobe or something. Anyway, it was one of those eye-opener experiences. The analogy coming to mind is a fish... from the front view, many fish are very thin.


Good analogy... I too have noticed this with diamond frame riders... and it shocked me... from straight on we can be as visually narrow as a sign post.

Now how about a fish with an HID headlight! :D

Now how about a fish with an HID headlight! :D

How did you know about my drinking problem ? :)

How did you know about my drinking problem ? :)If I'd meant you, 2manybikes, then I would've said "a fish with several HID headlights," ok? ;) Don't confess before they use the thumbscrews. :)

If I'd meant you, 2manybikes, then I would've said "a fish with several HID headlights," ok? ;) Don't confess before they use the thumbscrews. :)


:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

Update: I actually ran into this group in front of the Rock and Roll hall of fame in Cleveland last weekend (I think, dates get screwed up when you're on tour). I didn't ask for any details, but apparently this group is trying a new route for the ACA. They've had some other troubles, which leads me to believe that the ACA's picking some bad routes.
Kudos for them for keeping going after such a tragedy.