Advocacy & Safety - Accident in Newton, MA

Here is a link

http://www2.bostonherald.com/news/local_regional/fata06112003.htm

That's Sheldon's turf, is it not?

It sounds like a combination of obvious right-of-way violation on the part of the left-turning motorist and nondefensive cycling on the part of the cyclist. The motorist either failed to see the cyclist (probably) or underestimated his speed (possibly). Yes, the motorist was clearly in the wrong, but it does not help the cyclist to be "dead right." This is why safe road use requires more than mere courtesy and mere legality; it requires constant attention and defensiveness, as well.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

This is a fine example as to why it's a terrible idea to pass a line of automobiles on the right, particularly when approaching an intersection. I see this sort of faux-pas frequently, and my thought is always "Here's an individual convinced of his invulnerability. I hope that today he/she is not violently disabused of it."

This cyclist of course was not 'asking for it', neither did he 'deserve' it. The fact remains that he did not do enough to avoid it, just as the motorist who helped him die did not.

-Rob

Originally posted by RobCat
Stupid, stupid, stupid.

This is a fine example as to why it's a terrible idea to pass a line of automobiles on the right, particularly when approaching an intersection. I see this sort of faux-pas frequently, and my thought is always "Here's an individual convinced of his invulnerability. I hope that today he/she is not violently disabused of it."

This cyclist of course was not 'asking for it', neither did he 'deserve' it. The fact remains that he did not do enough to avoid it, just as the motorist who helped him die did not.

-Rob Hear, hear. ^ I see this at an intersection near my home EVERY day.

Originally posted by RobCat
Stupid, stupid, stupid.

This is a fine example as to why it's a terrible idea to pass a line of automobiles on the right, particularly when approaching an intersection.

I do this sort of thing every day. Furthermore, the laws in this country expressly legislate it. There's nothing stupid about the pratice if it's done properly. What is stupid is if you're going fast enough to put a dent in a car, you're probably not paying enough attention.

Either way, if you expect me to sit in a tourist season traffic jam for 2 hours in order to do a half-hour commute, you're mistaken.

>>>>I do this sort of thing every day. Furthermore, the laws in this country expressly legislate it. There's nothing stupid about the pratice if it's done properly. What is stupid is if you're going fast enough to put a dent in a car, you're probably not paying enough attention.<<<<<

Bingo. I do the same thing also. I'll pass on the left but sometimes it's unsafe with cars flying by at full speed. However, when I do pass in between cars, I'm usually going at 2 or 3 mph so that if a mistake is made, I can recover and live to tell about it. Anything can happen when your riding between cars since that is the time people usually bail out and open doors.

Anyway. His tactic wasn't bad. He was just going too fast.

We really don't have enough information here. Just as the article said. We don't know. I have several places where I regularly ride and I pass stopped left turning vehicles on the right. I am very cautious about passing stopped through traffic on the right on my bicycle, much more so than they are about passing me.

As to the dent in the car and broken window. Without seeing the actual damage it would be very difficult to gauge the speed of the cyclist without seeing the damage.

I hereby retract the 'stupid stupid stupid' portion of my previous post, as it isn't my intention to malign the intelligence of anyone reading this thread. :D

I will maintain that, in my view, it's an 'unfortunate practice'.

-Rob