Another cyclist run over by a car.

[rturpen]

Another cyclist killed by a car. This time it was a cop that was driving.

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=4306087&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1

[tfro]

That's some serious damage to the windshield of the patrol car.

[pwherman512]

Good looking out for the citizen's officer!! Unreal.

[TechJunkie]

Sorry, but no reflector, no light, no helmet...I wouldn't be so quick to blame the officer; the guy on the bike wasn't very responsible. Without knowing any more, I would bet that the guy on the bike contributed a lot to the accident. Doesn't make it any less tragic.

[aikigreg]

I can't blame the officer in the slightest. If it's night and you're neither wearing reflective gear - at least a frigging blinkie! - and no helmet...well, you're taking your life into your own hands at the best of times, and this was not the best of times. I'm saddened by the loss of a cyclist, but not the policeman's fault, imo.

[blacknyc]

The victim was in the roadway with no reflective gear, reflector

the pic of the bike shows reflectors on the rims

[durwood]

Also shows reflectors on pedals

[tfro]

It's obviously speculation without all the facts, I mean we only see one wheel in that photo. Maybe it's a unicycle conversion? But it does seem like the spin on the report would be different if someone ran over a bike cop.

[redls1camaro]

And this folks is why I refuse to ride on the Roads up here. But riding at night in the street with no lights is just asking for trouble.

[aikigreg]

And this folks is why I refuse to ride on the Roads up here. But riding at night in the street with no lights is just asking for trouble.

I've had no problems commuting in the mornings at full dark, without even a close call. I have a solid blinky in the back, a cateye led up front (a cheap one, but it let me see enough with streetlights) and a "slow-moving vehicle" triangle reflector in the back as well. Those three things plus due diligence on my part make sure I'm seen. Barring a true accident, I don't see it ever being a problem.

If I my batteries went out and I didn't have a replacement, I'd drive that morning without hesitation.

[crdean1]

No disrespect to aikigreg, but I am with redls1camero on this one. I only usually ride the road in groups around here. I too ride defensively (use reflectors, lights, etc. even on trails), but it doesn't prevent things like the idiot lady pulling out directly in front of us while talking on her cell phone in her SUV recently (Seemed like I wore out my brake pads trying to avoid slamming into her drivers side door). Luckily I was paying close attention and started to slow on the descent because I knew she wasn't looking our way.

Or the time I was riding out by Keller on a road with a shoulder and had a beer smack me in the head from some guys farm truck (he threw it out the window at me). At least enough spilled in the air that I was able to get a good taste. Glad it wasn't Copenhagen.

Oh, and then there was the time a couple of months ago where we were on a group ride and some guy threw a beer bottle out the window at one of our (bikes inc) ride leaders in Arlington. The beer bottle broke on his helmet and he had glass in his jersey.

I haven't had any major problems though, and I guess these things just come with the nature of riding, but the fact still remains that our cities need to do more to educate (or ticket) irresponsible drivers. Surely the lawmakers can get over arguing about the text of the Safe Passing Bill and pass the dang thing. Then we'd have something to stand behind. For the most part, people are very friendly, it is just the bad ones that we remember the most.

I feel terrible for the officer and the biker's family. This is a horrible situation that had nothing to do with bad intention on anyones part, and I can't see where placing any blame on anyone would do any good.