Advocacy & Safety - Another tragedy...bike hits cop

Bicyclist Hit By Police Cruiser Identified
State Police Investigate Incident

POSTED: 8:30 am EDT September 18, 2008

EVERETT, Mass. -- A bicyclist who was struck by an Everett police officer responding to a 911 call has been identified, Everett police chief Steven Mazzie said.

Reda Rouf, 19, of Everett, was riding his bike down Glendale Street, when he was struck by the officer at about 8 p.m. Tuesday on Ferry Street. The officer had his cruiser's lights on at the time of the crash.

"I saw the cop put his lights on over there and then this guy (on the bike) came speeding down the hill and he never stopped,” said witness Genrii Rosario.

The bicycle flipped over the top of the cruiser and Rouf landed on the sidewalk just feet way, witnesses said.

Witnesses said the officer had the green traffic light in his favor.

"The cop was just holding the man's pulse and he was yelling 'I'm losing his pulse. I'm losing his pulse.' Someone covered him with a blanket, and the cop was crying. He was so upset," said Alli Cromwell.

Rouf, who was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.

Everett police had issued a press release Thursday in which the department erroneously stated that Rouf had died. The department has apologized for issuing incorrect information.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family,” said Mazzie.

The police officer also needed treatment.

"He's shaken up a lot. He's a young officer. He's shaken up and went to the hospital as well," said Mazzie.

Police did not release the name of the officer. The incident is under investigation by the Massachusetts State Police.

....who was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.... was listed in critical condition.

Coincidence?
I think NOT.:(

This to whoever posted the "sticky" "Helmets cramp my style".

Injury & death have always cramped MY style.
As an old girlfriend used to say; "No brain, no headaches"

Coincidence?
I think NOT.:(

This to whoever posted the "sticky" "Helmets cramp my style".

Injury & death have always cramped MY style.
As an old girlfriend used to say; "No brain, no headaches"

How nice for you that you don't suffer from headaches. If by any chance you do have a brain you might wander over to the helmets cramp my style thread and learn something.

Speedo

How nice for you that you don't suffer from headaches. If by any chance you do have a brain you might wander over to the helmets cramp my style thread and learn something.


I doubt that the smirking know-it-all will learn anything; he knows everything now and don't need no stinkin' facts.

Coincidence?
I think NOT.:(

This to whoever posted the "sticky" "Helmets cramp my style".

Injury & death have always cramped MY style.
As an old girlfriend used to say; "No brain, no headaches"

Helmet or no helmet isn't going to make a bit of difference when you're hit by a speeding police cruiser.

Furthermore, you don't know whether he's in critical condition as a result of head injuries.

Witnesses said the officer had the green traffic light in his favor.

The police officer also needed treatment.

"He's shaken up a lot. He's a young officer. He's shaken up and went to the hospital as well," said Mazzie.


All because this "cyclist" couldn't be bothered to stop at the red light.

I feel more sorry for the officer.

That is terrible.

HI,
When I was in the Military Medical field we would see alot of that sensless death of young people, Our morgues would be full of DUI"S/DOA in the course of year I stil believe many young americans are killed in the military by that evil called ETOH.
Another problem was sensless deaths from risk taking.
I have assisted on many Ambulance runs for people in their 20"S that didn't understand that drinking and driving Kills we just slip them in the body bag and ship them to Weisbodon Germany for that long flight home..
Doug
as for the shock of causing injury to another human it can be very life long and tramatic,:( I hope the policeman can be helped to deal with this. If the bike rider was under the influence of a medication, or etoh that would explain his reckless abandon.

Coincidence?
I think NOT.:(

From the information given, there's no way to know what effect, if any, a helmet would have had. What we do know is that the police cruiser's lights (and presumably siren) were active, and he had a green light. The cyclist's disregard for these circumstances indicates a belief in his invincibility which would have caught up to him sooner or later, regardless of headgear.

In any case, my sympathies are with the cop; here's hoping he can get past this.

Coincidence?
I think NOT.:(

This to whoever posted the "sticky" "Helmets cramp my style".

Injury & death have always cramped MY style.
As an old girlfriend used to say; "No brain, no headaches"Woaw, 13 hole minutes before you try and turn this into a helmet thread; what took you so long?

If you want to lecture about something, don't you think that red light running might be more on topic for this particular collision.

From the information given, there's no way to know what effect, if any, a helmet would have had. What we do know is that the police cruiser's lights (and presumably siren) were active, and he had a green light. The cyclist's disregard for these circumstances indicates a belief in his invincibility which would have caught up to him sooner or later, regardless of headgear.

In any case, my sympathies are with the cop; here's hoping he can get past this.

Knowing the police around here, his siren probably wasn't on unless there was traffic ahead of him, which wasn't getting out of the way. That probably wasn't the case in Everett at 8:00PM. I'm amazed the cyclist didn't see the blue lights, though, or hear the car's engine. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that he was wearing headphones to boot.

I too hope the officer can come to terms; it's a tough enough job without tragedies like this.

All because this "cyclist" couldn't be bothered to stop at the red light.

BS! The light is irrelevant. Look both ways before you cross the street. The light only establishes right of way in case of an accident. I don't stop for any of them - unless a car is going to flatten me. Then I usually stop.

BS! The light is irrelevant. Look both ways before you cross the street. The light only establishes right of way in case of an accident. I don't stop for any of them - unless a car is going to flatten me. Then I usually stop.We will keep that in mind when we read about you in the paper.

BS! The light is irrelevant. Look both ways before you cross the street. The light only establishes right of way in case of an accident. I don't stop for any of them - unless a car is going to flatten me. Then I usually stop.

You usually stop if a car is about to flatten you? What happens in the unusual cases?

You usually stop if a car is about to flatten you? What happens in the unusual cases?

I swing around behind them (going contraflow for a brief second or two) and keep on my way.

Click my sigpic if you want to see videos of that technique.

Nevermind. Look at this one: http://www.vimeo.com/1530783 About 10 seconds into the vid. The rest of the vid will illustrate how NOT dangerous it is to run red lights when no cars are crossing. Watch and learn! Getting hit is not about the color of the light. It's about focus and paying strict attention to what the hell you are doing.

"Watch and learn!"

Learn what?

How to break the law?
How to run red lights?
How to put yourself in dangerous situations?
How to give the cycling community a bad name?

"Watch and learn!"

Learn what?

How to break the law?

Laws that were designed for motor vehicles. Cyclists needs are totally different and mostly unaddressed in the USofA.



How to run red lights?


Several USA cities, and many in Europe allow bikes to run red lights after a brief stop. Again...safety it's not about the color of some silly light. Its about looking both ways and proceeding when the coast is clear.



How to put yourself in dangerous situations?


I am putting myself in a safer situation. Zero cars passing me in traffic = safer. Staying out of the door zone = safer. Avoiding any chance for a right hook = safer.



How to give the cycling community a bad name?

Do you think that stopping at a red light - letting cars pile up behind you - then proceeding at the green while slowing down a dozen 9-5ers behind you is going to endear them to cyclists?

News Flash! They already hate you. You have nothing more to lose except your life. You want to give every lame text-messaging motorist a "fair" shot at you - fine. Count me out.

Laws that were designed for motor vehicles. Cyclists needs are totally different and mostly unaddressed in the USofA.



Several USA cities, and many in Europe allow bikes to run red lights after a brief stop. Again...safety it's not about the color of some silly light. Its about looking both ways and proceeding when the coast is clear.



I am putting myself in a safer situation. Zero cars passing me in traffic = safer. Staying out of the door zone = safer. Avoiding any chance for a right hook = safer.



Do you think that stopping at a red light - letting cars pile up behind you - then proceeding at the green while slowing down a dozen 9-5ers behind you is going to endear them to cyclists?

News Flash! They already hate you. You have nothing more to lose except your life. You want to give every lame text-messaging motorist a "fair" shot at you - fine. Count me out.

Joey,

While I totally appreciate your "I make my own rules" and "I'm livin' on the edge" attitude,
please don't fool yourself by thinking that your way is the only way and those of us who choose to obey the current set of laws are in the wrong and that we need to learn from you.

You won't advance your cause by being arrogant and by alienating other cyclists.

'kay?

We already have a thread for Joey's red light running tactics.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=446286&highlight=tutorial+light+running+red

Maybe we should take the discussion back there?

we already have a thread for joey's red light running tactics.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=446286&highlight=tutorial+light+running+red

maybe we should take the discussion back there?

+1.

Joey,

While I totally appreciate your "I make my own rules" and "I'm livin' on the edge" attitude,
please don't fool yourself by thinking that your way is the only way and those of us who choose to obey the current set of laws are in the wrong and that we need to learn from you.

You won't advance your cause by being arrogant and by alienating other cyclists.

'kay?

As seen on the other thread, Joey's merely pointing out another way to ride than many people would not consider. He's not telling anyone to ride like he does, he's just pointing out that it's not nearly as dangerous as it seems.

And I've found Joey to be one of the more level-headed and least arrogant posters here, especially when you consider the invective leveled against him.

Go check out the other thread. :thumb:

As seen on the other thread, Joey's merely pointing out another way to ride than many people would not consider. He's not telling anyone to ride like he does, he's just pointing out that it's not nearly as dangerous as it seems.

And I've found Joey to be one of the more level-headed and least arrogant posters here, especially when you consider the invective leveled against him.

Go check out the other thread. :thumb:

Yep, in that thread level-headed Joey merely points out that:

Cyclists can not take the lah-tee-dah approach to riding in more heavily trafficked areas. It's war.

Several USA cities, and many in Europe allow bikes to run red lights after a brief stop.
Care to post several of those laws from the USA cities that allow bikes to run red lights after a brief stop?

Care to post several of those laws from the USA cities that allow bikes to run red lights after a brief stop?

Yes I'd actually like to know too. Sometimes I hate the fact that there's a dump truck's bumper practically tapping my rear wheel at a red light.. but then again, it's Jersey, is it ever clear when the light is red? :rolleyes:

Care to post several of those laws from the USA cities that allow bikes to run red lights after a brief stop?

From Idaho Senate Bill 1131

Please check the actual document at this LINK (http://www3.state.id.us/oasis/2005/S1131.html) as my copy/paste below did not translate exactly as it should.

8 49-720. STOPPING -- TURN AND STOP SIGNALS. (1) A person operating a bicy-
9 cle or human-powered vehicle approaching a stop sign shall slow down and, if
10 required for safety, stop before entering the intersection. After slowing to a
11 reasonable speed or stopping, the person shall yield the right-of-way to any
12 vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another highway so closely as to
13 constitute an immediate hazard during the time the person is moving across or
14 within the intersection or junction of highways, except that a person after
15 slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way if required, may
16 cautiously make a turn or proceed through the intersection without stopping.
17 (2) A person operating a bicycle or human-powered vehicle approaching a
18 steady red traffic control signal light shall stop before entering the inter-
19 section, except and shall yield to all other traffic. Once the person has
20 yielded, he may proceed through the steady red light with caution. Provided
21 however, that a person after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the
22 right-of-way if required, may cautiously make a right-hand turn. without stop-
23 ping or may cautiously make a A left-hand turn onto a one-way highway without
24 may be made on a red light after stopping and yielding to other traffic.


Also, I have a "weblog" of sorts. http://joey-bike.blogspot.com/ You will find the last 6 links very informative on the subject of running lights and traffic engineering as it pertains to cyclists. Feel free to ignore any or all of my dogma on the site - at least check out those last 6 links. Or ignore my site altogether. Here are the links:



Outlaw Debate - Wall Street Journal (http://blogs.wsj.com/informedreader/2007/10/22/should-cyclists-run-red-lights/)
Outlaw Debate 2 - Austin, TX (http://bicycleaustin.info/opinion/runninglights.html)
Politics and Ethics (http://tinyurl.com/2vh2zj)
To Obey, Or Not to Obey (http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/16/to-obey-or-not-to-obey/)
Traffic Guru - Smarter Road Designs (http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?essay_id=462572&fuseaction=wq.essay)
Why Cyclists Do What They Do (http://www.transalt.org/blueprint/chapter3/chapter3d.html)

Several USA cities, and many in Europe allow bikes to run red lights after a brief stop.

Care to post several of those laws from the USA cities that allow bikes to run red lights after a brief stop?

From Idaho Senate Bill 1131

Please check the actual document at this LINK (http://www3.state.id.us/oasis/2005/S1131.html) as my copy/paste below did not translate exactly as it should.

8 49-720. STOPPING -- TURN AND STOP SIGNALS. So there are NO cities with such laws as you stated. Just the Idaho law that most of us are already familiar with. By the way, Idaho is a State, not a city.

Rather than flaunting the law, why not put your efforts into getting other States to adopt the Idaho law. Many of us support that.

By the way, Idaho is a State, not a city.

Dang. No wonder they denied me a visa.



Rather than flaunting the law, why not put your efforts into getting other States to adopt the Idaho law. Many of us support that.

I already have a system that works and a city that couldn't care less if I use my system.

http://12.152.111.66/joeybike/popo001.jpg

Get your own city. Plus, I would rather be riding my bike. You should try it. Go ahead....remove your fingers from the keyboard....you can do it....you can do it!!!

Get your own city. Plus, I would rather be riding my bike. You should try it. Go ahead....remove your fingers from the keyboard....you can do it....you can do it!!!
I likely have been doing it much longer than you have; and with your riding style, it is likely I will be riding long after you as well.

I likely have been doing it much longer than you have; and with your riding style, it is likely I will be riding long after you as well.

Maybe. I started with my first decent road bike at 15. I turned 50 this past April. Never been touched, not even a scratch.

Very unfortunate for everyone.

I wonder what kind of bike the rider was using and how steep is the hill.

how steep is the hill.

I was thinking the same thing. Maybe his brakes failed or something. Very sad and unfortunate for all parties involved.

Maybe. I started with my first decent road bike at 15. I turned 50 this past April. Never been touched, not even a scratch.So you are just barely qualified to join the 50+ forum.:p

So you are just barely qualified to join the 50+ forum.:p

Been there. Not nearly as much fun as the A&S crowd tho. Although I realize there is an overlap in age groups here above and below 50.

BS! The light is irrelevant. Look both ways before you cross the street. The light only establishes right of way in case of an accident. I don't stop for any of them - unless a car is going to flatten me. Then I usually stop.
Miss one, and you will be. ;)

Concerning this cyclist, the helmet would probably have helped, but so would not running a red light.

John

Concerning this cyclist, the helmet would probably have helped, but so would not running a red light.

Again...what does the color of the light have to do with this guy's wreck?

Don't even look at the danged lights. Forget they even exist. Look for oncoming traffic, don't go if a vehicle is going to hit you. It's so simple.

Also keep in mind that for every wreck at a red light, some innocent person crossing on a GREEN light got hit, maybe killed too. Did the green color help that person? He/she would have been better served ignoring the green light and looking for oncoming traffic instead.

Starting to sink in? Just a little?

So there are NO cities with such laws as you stated. Just the Idaho law that most of us are already familiar with. By the way, Idaho is a State, not a city.


How many cities are in Idaho?

How many cities are in Idaho?

May God bless you apricissimus!

Thanks!

May God bless you apricissimus!

Thanks!

yes, it is a relief when someone is actually following the ball isn't it?

we should all pay such attention when we ride!;)

BS! The light is irrelevant. Look both ways before you cross the street. The light only establishes right of way in case of an accident. I don't stop for any of them - unless a car is going to flatten me. Then I usually stop.

if i run your ass down you better not cry wolf like a *****

How many cities are in Idaho?OK, so tell us how many cities in Idaho have city laws that allow red light running.

Again...what does the color of the light have to do with this guy's wreck?

Don't even look at the danged lights. Forget they even exist. Look for oncoming traffic, don't go if a vehicle is going to hit you. It's so simple.

Also keep in mind that for every wreck at a red light, some innocent person crossing on a GREEN light got hit, maybe killed too. Did the green color help that person? He/she would have been better served ignoring the green light and looking for oncoming traffic instead.

Starting to sink in? Just a little?

"what does the color of the light have to do with this guy's wreck?" Red light means you stop while others go. If you don't stop, someone may go over you, as was the case here. The cop had the green light, the cyclist had the red.


99% of us live in jurisdictions were bicycles must follow the same rules that motor vehicles do. Forgetting that lights exist will, at the least, get one a ticket, and at worst, earn an arrest for reckless driving. Yes, you aren't driving, but the law in most places doesn't make any distinction between driving a car or riding a bicycle (or even riding a horse) in such situations. A reckless driving conviction will result in a suspension of your license, or an outright revocation if you have any prior citations for red-light running. Not having a license will make no difference, the points add up. If you are cited enough times you'll be classified as a habitual traffic offender. Once you reach this status, the next citation becomes a felony. Such a classification can't prevent you from riding, except for the period of time you are sitting in jail.

I pay attention when I cross an intersection, red light or green. As a former police officer I've seen far more accidents in person that you have read or heard about. Accidents can happen anywhere and anytime. The most important thing to to is to be alert. But not one of us can be alert 100% of the time. In order to minimize the risk during those lapses, we do things like wear seat belts, helmets, gloves, etc.

For those who can't be troubled with such things, I suppose they are another example of "natural selection" at work.

whatever got this cop and cyclist together, the results are bad for both parties. the trauma of hurting anyone in a situation like this can be devastating for everyone involved. that's the point. debating laws or how a person rides thier bike won't change the outcome for the cop or bike rider. that said, i always drive my car or ride my bike defensively. MY safety is MY responsibility, no one else's. have fun, and be safe. :)

Red light means you stop while others go. If you don't stop, someone may go over you, as was the case here. The cop had the green light, the cyclist had the red.......I pay attention when I cross an intersection, red light or green....The most important thing to to is to be alert.

i've been telling my kids almost the same thing for years. watch the lights BUT watch the cars a lot more. the only way that light is going to do anything to you is if it falls on your head. the cars WILL kill you!!!

Nevermind. Look at this one: http://www.vimeo.com/1530783 About 10 seconds into the vid. The rest of the vid will illustrate how NOT dangerous it is to run red lights when no cars are crossing. Watch and learn! Getting hit is not about the color of the light. It's about focus and paying strict attention to what the hell you are doing.

Wow. What I learned is that you are living a charmed life.

I watched a few of your videos, and they are fun in an action and excitement kind of way. I wouldn't want my commute to be that exciting. My take is that you have the bike handling skills to get yourself out of tight spots that I wouldn't have been able to. What I find scary, and I'm surprised that you don't, is that you put yourself in a lot of situations where if something just a little unexpected happened you'd have been flattened. That it hasn't happened yet is no predictor that it won't happen on Monday morning. Roll the die enough times and sooner or later you'll come up snake eyes.

Speedo

Roll the die enough times and sooner or later you'll come up snake eyes.

Precisely why I try to limit the number of vehicles passing me. Every time a car passes me, I am rolling the dice. I am totally dependent on their actions. I prefer to have those situations in my contorll, all coming at me from the front. Running the lights is a small part of that concept. It allows me to ride in "dead zones" where cars are not, because they are stuck at the red light behind me.

I edit out those "dead spots" from the vids because they are boring. So 90 percent of my commute is freaking boring ie., relatively safe, and the other 10 percent of the time I keep all of the danger is laid out in front of me where I have some control over it.

Most of the tragic stories here are cyclists getting run over from behind. This OP involves a cyclist that did not pay attention to what he was doing. Getting hit from behind is the most probable death creating scenario in city traffic. I am not a gambler.

Red light means you stop while others go.

Often, there are no "others". Except the ones that will be roaring up behind me when my light turns green.



99% of us live in jurisdictions were bicycles must follow the same rules that motor vehicles do.... Such a classification can't prevent you from riding, except for the period of time you are sitting in jail.

In my community, the only thing motorists care about concerning cyclists is when they must slow down behind us. We are totally invisible the rest of the time. Every time I hear of a cyclist being hit by a car, the driver says "I didn't see him." It's cultural here. I can't find one single cyclist who stops at red lights if the coast is clear, nor one single cop who cares. Cops have bigger problems here as New Orleans has the most murders per capita than any other US city for the past 30 years. Mostly drug realted. Our jails are already full of really bad people, not scofflaw light runners.


The most important thing to to is to be alert.

Isn't that EXACTLY what I said in my very first post that started this firestorm against me?



...I suppose they are another example of "natural selection" at work.

Have you noticed that 90 percent of the tragically road-killed cyclists listed on this board were steam-rolled from behind? There is your natural selection at work my friend.

Helmet or no helmet isn't going to make a bit of difference when you're hit by a speeding police cruiser.

Furthermore, you don't know whether he's in critical condition as a result of head injuries.

Did you read the damn article?

He FLIPPED over the cruiser. From the way the story is told, it seems like the bicyclist T-boned the police officer and went right over the car. Last time I checked, when you go flying forward a helmet helps a lot.


Knowing the police around here, his siren probably wasn't on unless there was traffic ahead of him, which wasn't getting out of the way. That probably wasn't the case in Everett at 8:00PM. I'm amazed the cyclist didn't see the blue lights, though, or hear the car's engine. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that he was wearing headphones to boot.

I too hope the officer can come to terms; it's a tough enough job without tragedies like this.


Read the article damnit. A witness said that he saw the cop put his lights on.

We either have very illiterate people on BF.net or just lazy people.

In any case, I think the cyclist was acting all high and mighty. It was just a matter of time before he hit a car. Of course, I hope he doesn't die, but I can almost guarantee you he won't get on a bike again.


Often, there are no "others". Except the ones that will be roaring up behind me when my light turns green.



I would have to agree with you here. I usually let all the cars that have the green light go and once there are no more, I'll go through that red light. I hate accelerating while there is another car behind me. But if I know the street well, I'll take your approach and go through it without slowing down if there are no cars crossing.

Have you noticed that 90 percent of the tragically road-killed cyclists listed on this board were steam-rolled from behind? There is your natural selection at work my friend.

Hmmm. I hope you're not using that statistic to justify using your method to yourself. I don't think that's even close to being true. I would think that hit from behind incidents would be no more than a quarter of fatalities. (That's just a wag number, based on what I've seen in the reporting it's not too common.)

Speedo

What I've learned is that Joey will jack a thread to promote his style of scofflaw riding. Nice job taking a thread about a tragedy of a rider not paying attention and not yielding to a police car with lights on and paying the ultimate price about it and about the unfortunate officer who had this guy die in his arms.

Nice job. Is there any other tragedy you'd like to use to promote what you claim to not promote? (as per your comments on your thread. . . which you say you don't promote, you just expose people to. . .)

Would you like to jack any other thread? Would you like to use another tragedy? To cheapen it in order to promote your political agenda?

Bah.

What I've learned is that Joey will jack a thread to promote his style of scofflaw riding. ... Would you like to use another tragedy? To cheapen it in order to promote your political agenda?

cali-dude,

My first post on this string is quite legit: "...The light is irrelevant. Look both ways before you cross the street."

After that, I'm just dodging punches.

A green light does not insure your safety - ask the cop. And a red light does not guarantee certain death if you run it - see my vids. No matter the color of the light, cyclists need to unplug their music and silly cell phone blue tooth ear buds - and look both ways before they cross the street. Pay attention to the dangerous activity that you are engaged in.

There is my agenda on this post.

:mad: You made me quote myself :twitchy: