There have been three bicyclist die on Orange County streets this week: CORRECTION One this week others I missed the dates on the articles. My apologies for the error.
Santa Ana (http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/local/santaana/article_1987822.php)
Buena Park (http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1552271.php)
Who were they and what led to the collision? It appears that two were killed by inattentive truck drivers who may not have seen them but right hooked them none the less. One is a result of DUI.
Regardless if they were those that ride their bicycle as a primary means of transportation with menial jobs (that could include some of us here) or elite cyclist with high end bikes costing more than some people earn in a year. It is unfortunate to have to learn from conjecture about these accidents.
My prayers go out to the families of the victims and the drivers that hit them.
UmneyDurak
02-28-08, 01:28 PM
I think you missed one in Irvine on Culver. The guy was run down by a truck which drifted in to bike lane. It happened after Food Park ride.
fthomas
02-28-08, 01:42 PM
UmneyDurak - can you post a link to the news article?
merider1
02-28-08, 01:59 PM
:( Horrible. I feel sorry for all victims and their families.
bitingduck
02-28-08, 02:05 PM
WTF?
That's getting scary.
WhiteCarbonDude
02-28-08, 02:11 PM
Don't show my wife these, I'll never be able to get out and ride.
So sad.
JTGraphics
02-28-08, 02:21 PM
Not all in one week but tragic anyways I'm sure several happen daily that we don't here about.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
MightyTACO
02-28-08, 02:50 PM
If I have learned anything over the years its to not be out on the streets for the most part after midnight, on bike or in a car. Too many drunk drivers out after that time. Not trying to sound insensitive here, but I would not be out riding at 1 something in the morning, as the Buena Park rider did. It definitely is scary nonetheless. My thoughts and prayers go out to their families.
1955
02-28-08, 05:45 PM
Not all in one week but tragic anyways I'm sure several happen daily that we don't here about.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Did you really mean to say that people get killed on bikes around here daily and they're NOT reported???
ckeizer77
02-28-08, 05:54 PM
This is so sad, in the course of barely a month, 4 people dead due to careless/drunk motorists. It makes me worry about all my OC friends!
fthomas
02-29-08, 02:27 AM
I have to apologize for an error on dates.
The one accident took place this week - Santa Ana
The others were in 2007.
My goof!
Still not good.
DavidWhiting
03-01-08, 01:21 PM
There has to be some way to stop or at least reduce the maiming and killing. Any cycling clubs could step up?
fthomas
03-01-08, 02:13 PM
There has to be some way to stop or at least reduce the maiming and killing. Any cycling clubs could step up?
David, I contacted the Santa Ana Police Department about criminal activity on the Santa Ana River Trail after dark because I was commuting from Placentia to Costa Mesa and SART should have been a logical and safer choice than surface streets. Not so - the Santa Ana PD reports muggings for bicycles and other criminal activity on SART after dark and even during the day. SART passes through a number of communities and one would hope that those city's and Orange County would improve the amount and visibility of law enforcement along the entire SART.
The reason that I bring this up is that I spoke to the Motor Officer responsible for Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety training for elementary schools in Santa Ana and he recommended that I ride the sidewalks. As any experienced and knowledgeable rider would know this is asking for an collision.
Regardless of my position on Illegal Immigration - against. I believe that something has to be done to educate the bicycle riders in North Orange County that are at a far higher risk than any of us recreational riders for these types of collisions and deaths. Hopefully this thread may motivate all of us to address the issue in an organized and effective manner.
I'm available and open for suggestions.
LCI_Brian
03-01-08, 02:54 PM
Regardless of my position on Illegal Immigration - against. I believe that something has to be done to educate the bicycle riders in North Orange County that are at a far higher risk than any of us recreational riders for these types of collisions and deaths.
I agree, but keep in mind that for various reasons this is a population that is hard to reach by those advocacy organizations representing cyclists' interests.
ovoleg
03-01-08, 03:13 PM
the girls in orange county are stuck up...aint no joke
i dont travel there cause o that...too much work for such uglyness
mateo44
03-01-08, 04:18 PM
the girls in orange county are stuck up...aint no joke
i dont travel there cause o that...too much work for such uglyness
And I'm sure everyone in OC laments your absence.
ovoleg
03-01-08, 05:23 PM
And I'm sure everyone in OC laments your absence.
THe OC is lame, there was a show on about it on MTV, lots of girls with fake tits
ggallin
03-01-08, 05:29 PM
the girls in that show havent even reached puberty.
lulz @ the cop telling you to ride on the sidewalk.
CritEastwood
03-01-08, 05:35 PM
There has to be some way to stop or at least reduce the maiming and killing. Any cycling clubs could step up?
How about stepping up with a club? The only way the majority of the population in OC could ever get the fact that cyclists have a right to ride in the road and that driving is a privelege, is if someone hit them over the head with a club.
RIP to all of the cyclists who were mentioned. Ride assertively.
ovoleg
03-01-08, 05:38 PM
how about you guys ride to the right of the road and not road hog?
mateo44
03-01-08, 05:42 PM
THe OC is lame, there was a show on about it on MTV, lots of girls with fake tits
I agree, it's lame. Stay out.
ovoleg
03-01-08, 07:51 PM
I agree, it's lame. Stay out.
dont worry your daughter is ugly, i wouldnt go there
CMY
03-01-08, 09:01 PM
how about you guys ride to the right of the road and not road hog?
Blasphemy!
Clearly you're unfamiliar with vehicular code 23.108c, which clearly states that cyclists may ride in traffic without possession of a common sense certification.
:)
ggallin
03-01-08, 09:02 PM
thats only if theres not a bike lane / sharrow on the road.
Allez Oops
03-01-08, 09:45 PM
Regardless of my position on Illegal Immigration - against. I believe that something has to be done to educate the bicycle riders in North Orange County that are at a far higher risk than any of us recreational riders for these types of collisions and deaths.
A few questions:
How are you defining "recreational" cyclists?
How are you comparing their risk vs. non-recreational cyclists? (Statistical sources you are using, for example.)
How does illegal immigration factor into your analysis?
Thanks.
ggallin
03-01-08, 10:46 PM
illegals cant get drivers licenses, but they can buy $120 mountain bikes from target.
fthomas
03-02-08, 01:22 AM
A few questions:
How are you defining "recreational" cyclists?
How are you comparing their risk vs. non-recreational cyclists? (Statistical sources you are using, for example.)
How does illegal immigration factor into your analysis?
Thanks.
Recreational Cyclist - You and I and those that post here. There are some hard core commuters here, but I think that most of us would fall into the category of recreational cyclist. We ride for the joy of riding and not out of necessity and the lack of alternative transportation - cars or ?? Of course there is Dad, Mom and the Kids we see on our local bike paths as well as many other occasional riders across a broad spectrum of disciplines.
Most of us on the forum - not all - have the common sense to wear a helmet, use lights and reflectors at night and not ride the sidewalks - with or against traffic. We don't ride big box bicycles - you know the Wally World type.
This is strictly a personal observation as I live adjacent to Santa Ana and commuted through Santa Ana for a few months to Placentia. Most cyclist that I see and have spoken to who are riding the sidewalk and even on the Santa Ana River Trail where I have helped them pump up a flat, fix a seat that has come loose or just ridden along with and chatted with in my very limited Spanish are from Mexico. They have families back home, friends and family here and just like us - people they care about and that care about them. They can't afford cars, don't have a drivers license and as the construction industry has contracted do not have the funds that were once available in a more lucrative job market. Not scientific, as I am sure you would agree. I understand and appreciate why they come here with great hopes and aspirations to better themselves and provide a higher standard of living for their family - here or still living where ever they came from.
The limited amount of information on accidents provided in our local news media, in my opinion, indicates that some of the accidents, if not most, that I originally posted about may very well be the the people I talk about above.
These are the people that I believe are at the greatest risk. They have the least representation as a large, but quiet minority and little to no access to rider education and thus do not utilize good judgment when riding and certainly do not avail themselves of proper safety equipment. They ride at night without reflectors, lights, helmets and are wearing dark clothing riding against traffic on the sidewalk.
I am concerned for their safety as well as the safety of all of us that share the roads with motor vehicles where ever that might be.
Is it an issue of education, lax enforcement of existing laws or the culture of conspicuous consumption in Orange County where a lot of people think "It's All About Me" and simply write this segment of our society off? Unfortunately, I think it is a combination of all of the above and more. As avid, active and responsible bicyclist and citizens what do we do as a community of bicyclist?
If it was one of the members of this community I am sure there would at minimum be a tremendous amount of discussion relating to the accidents and deaths if not a call to action.
Being up front I do not approve of illegal immigration. However, I abhor the injury or death of anyone and particularly of bicyclist who are simply trying to use our roadways whether it be for recreation or out of the necessity of transportation. We are all at risk.
fthomas
03-02-08, 04:07 PM
We can now add a jogger killed in Lake Forest this morning. News on the radio states that the person was jogging in the bike lane and was run over by an off duty security guy who swerved into the bicycle lane.
It easily could have been a cyclist!
squeegy200
03-02-08, 07:55 PM
My friend was hit by a truck on her bicycle the day before Christmas in the city of Orange. She survived and was released from the hospital three weeks later.
She will require a lot of physical therapy and reconstructive surgery. She will never be the same.
Allez Oops
03-02-08, 11:03 PM
However, I abhor the injury or death of anyone and particularly of bicyclist who are simply trying to use our roadways whether it be for recreation or out of the necessity of transportation. We are all at risk.
Thank you for the thoughtful response, fthomas.
You and I are in full agreement when it comes to your statement, above. You stated it very well. Thank you.
We part ways philosophically in other areas, but that seems less important right now.
Thanks again for responding to my questions.
DavidWhiting
03-03-08, 08:34 AM
My friend was hit by a truck on her bicycle the day before Christmas in the city of Orange. She survived and was released from the hospital three weeks later.
She will require a lot of physical therapy and reconstructive surgery. She will never be the same.
Please pass along support. That could have been any of us. I hope The Orange County Register covered in a constructive way.