Advocacy & Safety - Collin Class Rally ~ Dallas Tx

Had a great ride this past Saturday. Did the collin classic 75mile route. The only sad thing is some of the inconsiderate Red Necks running around the back roads the route followed. Why are some folks so ignorant?

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From Staff Reports

Two Anna men were arrested Saturday on felony charges of failing to stop and render aid after a 1972 Chevrolet pickup struck a cyclist participating in the Collin Classic bike rally, authorities said.

Event director Mike Keel said several cyclists were injured in the accident, though none of the injuries was life-threatening. Mr. Keel said one cyclist was transported by helicopter to Wilson N. Jones Medical Center in Sherman and another to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas.

Trooper William Toland of the Sherman Highway Patrol said Mitchell Penland, 49, the driver of the truck, also was arraigned on a third-degree felony charge of obstruction retaliation, accused of threatening an officer; a Class B misdemeanor charge of driving with a suspended license; and a Class C misdemeanor charge of driving without insurance. His bail was set at $30,600.

Bail for Roger Boyd, 45, a passenger in the truck, was set at $10,000. Both men are being held in the Grayson County Jail.

Witnesses said the truck hit Ken Munson of Plano on FM121 in Gunter. When the cyclist fell to the ground, several other cyclists also crashed, reports said.

I too was at the Collin Classic this past Saturday. A great ride, beautiful country roads. I did the 55 mile route. Unfortunately I witnessed the accident detailed above. The group was a very fast paceline of 20 to 30 cyclists. The accident happened at the bottom of a hill. I hope all injured have a quick and painless recovery. I am very sad that the driver of the vechicle did not stop. Other motorists did stop to render aid and call 911.

Apparently there has been some discussion as to the safety of these roads for cyclists. It appears that the ride's organizers and the local state troopers disagree as to the safety of the route choosen. I felt the route was a safe route. Motorists passed me with plenty of room. However, I am concerned that no warning was given to local residents that a bicycle rally was going to be held in their communities. This ride crosses into several counties north of Dallas. Additionally, the roads were not closed and riding in a large paceline four abreast might not be a good decision especially when traffic begins to back up.

Up until the accident the ride was great (except when I dropped by water bottle, but stuff happens). I hope the issue of the rally route can be resolved before the next ride. Especially with emphasis on Sharing the Road.

Be safe and yell "Car Back".

Don

Starting to notice that I as I was reading up on past rides out in those areas. Apprently some of the folks out that way dont have respect for the bikes on the road. Also, I agree with you that the locals should have been informed. I know from some of the folks I passed coming out of there houses they seem pretty surprised.

How about that last hill?

The last hill on the frontage road was nice. I was suprised to see so many people stopped on their way up the hill. I didn't hit the granny gear until I was a quarter of the way from the crest. Reminded me of the hills in this year's Tour De Cure - San Antonio to Austin.

Here are two letters about the rally in the 6/18/03 Dallas Morning News from the residents perspective:

Letters
06/18/2003

Get off our roads


My first thought upon hearing that a cyclist had been struck during the Collin Classic bike rally: I'm surprised it took this long to happen.
As a resident of the area, I can tell you that the people out here are sick of these rallies arbitrarily closing down the roads we use to get to work, school, etc. The rally workers think nothing of standing in the roads and stopping traffic (with no legal authority to do so, mind you), since we country bumpkins couldn't possibly have more important business than their precious bicycle event.

The riders also like riding three and four abreast on roads with no shoulders, making it impossible to pass safely. A question for Ken Munson (Plano) and Brian Zollinger (Frisco): Why can't they have these rallies in their own cities? Could it be because those cities won't let them because of the inconvenience and general pain-in-the-neck of it all?

They don't live here, so they should keep comments like "[Drivers] need to just get used to the fact that we're on the road" to themselves. They need to get used to the fact that we don't want cyclists out here, and they have no "right" to be out here above that of the actual residents.

Chris Vet, Celina


Bad planning


First, my sympathies to Ken Munson. Second, chastisement to the organizing party that made the decision to route the bike rally to FM121 in Grayson County.
As a past resident of Van Alstyne, bicycle rider of 40-plus years, driver of 30-plus years and current resident of Plano, I feel qualified to take the members of the bike rally to task for the routing of the race this past Saturday.

I lived in and around Van Alstyne, particularly FM121, both East and West. I attended church at Elmont Baptist for a number of years, which is approximately halfway between Van Alstyne and Gunter on one of the most treacherous stretches of the road in question. I personally have witnessed several accidents and one death resulting from blind spots and reckless driving on the very road Mr. Munson was traversing when his accident occurred.

I hope Mr. Munson gets to a point where he can ride again, and the person who ran him off the road gets punished. I also hope the organizers will take notice and reconsider this route when planning another event. I realize this stretch is one of the most scenic in this part of the country, however...

Alan Robertson, Plano

Interesting perspectives. Especially the first letter.

Ride Carefully.

Don

Very sad situation. If I hadn't been riding the OK Freewheel cross Oklahoma ride that weekend I would have been at the Collin Classic.

As far as the letters go, I would hope that the first letter writer follows his own advise and does not drive his car on any one elses roads other than those that belong to him. Of course, given that he owns no road other than possibly his driveway, he will probably grant himself an exception. Failing that, I hope he does not venture outside of Celina. Hopefully someone will point out to him the Texas legal code where cyclists have a right to use the roads. There are, of course no residency requirements.

In fact, one could make a case that cyclists have more of a right to use the public roadway than motorists. In order to operate a motor vehicle, you must have a valid drivers license. Your car must be registered and inspected and you must have adequate insurance. Any of these items may be revoked with the result that you are not permitted to drive on public roads. In contrast, a cyclist needs no license, no registration, no inspection, and no insurance. In fact, you have no requirement to even carry identification to cycle on Texas roads.

So, to Chis Vet, I say, "You're use of the roads is by privelege. Mine is by right."