Commuting - head on collision with another commuter today

This morning i took my long route to work, a 20 mile loop that takes me along the river. Was having a great time and met up with a co worker to ride the rest of the way into work. We were rounding a blind corner on the MUP and I was taking the center of the path my buddy on the right and out of no where comes a roadie in full gear on the aero bars about 12 mph around the corner. I tried to swerve right but not fast enough and she clipped my bars and left leg and just flew over her bars taking her bike along. I emerged unscathed and ran back to where she landed and had to unclip her feet. She was in bad shape but managed to ride off.
She admitted being at fault for speeding around a blind corner and she had no brake access on the aero bars. I was partially at fault for not being on the far right. Made for an interesting commute to say the least.

Wow, glad you are OK.

I see people riding aerobars on the MUP I commute on. At 6am when the MUP is empty, no problem, but in the evening when the MUP is crowded with kids, rollerbladers, joggers, etc., I just shake my head.

Glad you're OK. I've seen people using aerobars on the MUP too. I don't get it.

MUPs with blind curves are effing dangerous; frankly, all MUPs are risky. It's like biking on a two way sidewalk used by every sort of noob imagineable, plus dogs and kids.

Glad you're ok. On the MUP trail I occasionally take there are some tricky spots where instead of directly crossing a street (on a bridge) you go backwards and sort of cloverleaf around to the other side. Usually very sharp and steep but short distances, I had a guy pass me on the beginning descent once. I mean the whole length of the turn is maybe 30 yards if it was straight. Ridiculous. MUP riding is like mario kart biking. You never know when a turtle shell (dog on a long leash) is just going whack ya!

MUPs with blind curves are effing dangerous; frankly, all MUPs are risky. It's like biking on a two way sidewalk used by every sort of noob imagineable, plus dogs and kids.

I wouldn't say all MUPs are risky.

http://www.skinnymoose.com/thinkingoutside/files/2008/06/midtown1.jpg

I wouldn't say all MUPs are risky.

http://www.skinnymoose.com/thinkingoutside/files/2008/06/midtown1.jpg

Just a different kind of risk:

http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/column/jeremy-iggers/attacked-minneapolis-greenway

I wouldn't say all MUPs are risky.

http://www.skinnymoose.com/thinkingoutside/files/2008/06/midtown1.jpg

Mines not either. Pretty wide open and clear. Can see for long distances in front of you.

12 mph with aerobars. Interesting.

I am glad you are ok.

Just a different kind of risk:

http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/column/jeremy-iggers/attacked-minneapolis-greenway

There's crime in every part of every city. The Greenway is a favorite target of sensationalist news because it's new and well-loved by its users. How many crimes do think have occurred on the adjacent Lake Street stretch in the past year?

I'll be the unpopular voice I suppose. I think you were at fault. I treat my bike like a car, which means holding my "lane". If you went around a corner in the middle of the street on a 2 lane road and clipped the car coming the other way it wouldn't matter if they were a driving instructor doing everything picture perfect or a circus performer juggling bowling pins. They were in their lane, you weren't, your fault. While aerobars on a MUP is probably not the best plan in this case they are irrelevant.

12 mph with aerobars. Interesting.

I am glad you are ok.

She was acting like she was on the final leg of a race. Kind of odd. She was trapped in her bike after the crash and i had to go unclip her feet. I feel pretty bad about it. Hopefully she recovers quickly.

I'll be the unpopular voice I suppose. I think you were at fault. I treat my bike like a car, which means holding my "lane". If you went around a corner in the middle of the street on a 2 lane road and clipped the car coming the other way it wouldn't matter if they were a driving instructor doing everything picture perfect or a circus performer juggling bowling pins. They were in their lane, you weren't, your fault. While aerobars on a MUP is probably not the best plan in this case they are irrelevant.

+1 Local MUPs don't have a dividing line except around turns so people will stay in their lane even if it was ignored during the straight stretches, which is fine.

There's crime in every part of every city. The Greenway is a favorite target of sensationalist news because it's new and well-loved by its users. How many crimes do think have occurred on the adjacent Lake Street stretch in the past year?

Exactly. As a frequent rider on the Greenway, I don't agree with your conclusion that it has model traffic. I've regularly had the usual MUP-related incidents on it and certainly wouldn't hold it up as a shining example of "something better."

Exactly. As a frequent rider on the Greenway, I don't agree with your conclusion that it has model traffic. I've regularly had the usual MUP-related incidents on it and certainly wouldn't hold it up as a shining example of "something better."

It's the widest MUP in Minneapolis from Hiawatha to it's western connection. Plus, it has uninterrupted right of way, clear sight lines and on/off ramps. There is plenty of bone-headed behavior by pedestrians and cyclists alike, but the extra room and vision make it a much safer option than Lake Street IMO.

MUPs are the 3rd most dangerous type of riding listed here (http://www.sharetheroadmn.org/rules.html)... about 2-3 times more dangerous than a road. Of course, sidewalks and off-road stuff is the most dangerous.

MUPs are the 3rd most dangerous type of riding listed here (http://www.sharetheroadmn.org/rules.html)... about 2-3 times more dangerous than a road. Of course, sidewalks and off-road stuff is the most dangerous.

Interesting. Of course this study doesn't seem to take into account the severity of a crash. Still, not surprised. On my commute in the morning the MUP is great. There are less people and for whatever reason the ones there seem to be more aware of there surroundings. However, in the evening if it is a nice day I won't take the MUP. All too often a kid, a dog, a mother, a roller bladder ... will do something dangerous. I really haven't had any real close calls that would have hurt me but I did almost choke a little dog on a retractable leash that ran across the path (the choking would have been from caused from running over the really skinny leash). That was the last straw. I don't want to kill or injury a little dog because its owner can't take care of it properly.

We ride the road . . .
MUPs are not the best place to ride double or with aerobars.

I'll be the unpopular voice I suppose. I think you were at fault. I treat my bike like a car, which means holding my "lane". If you went around a corner in the middle of the street on a 2 lane road and clipped the car coming the other way it wouldn't matter if they were a driving instructor doing everything picture perfect or a circus performer juggling bowling pins. They were in their lane, you weren't, your fault. While aerobars on a MUP is probably not the best plan in this case they are irrelevant.

Gotta agree with Jaye. Don't know about where you live, but here in Montreal the rules for bicycles are single file. Lots of people ride side by side anyway or in closely bunched groups. I guess thats OK if you and your friends are the only ones you put at risk - but riding in a public place - that just doesn't happen.

Was the girl partly at fault for riding with aerobars alone in the middle of her own lane? Maybe. But only because she was unable to avoid an obstacle in her lane in a blind corner because he didn't switch to the drops for a few moments as a defensive driving manouver. 12mph ain't exactly race speeds and being clipped in isn't irresponsible or illegal - in fact its perfectly normal for most roadies.

But the riders that actually caused the accident were you and your buddy. And apparently you got off a lot lighter than the girl you hit.

After thinking it over today at work I do feel more at fault. I should have used more caution when rounding the blind corner and kept to the far right. As it was, the lady and I were both traveling in the middle of the path and this is what really caused the accident. That and the fact she could not use her brakes like I was able to. Let this incident be a lesson/reminder to everyone to use caution whenever you take a blind corner. I became complacent after taking this corner hundreds of times without incident or even seeing someone at 5am.

MUPs are the 3rd most dangerous type of riding listed here (http://www.sharetheroadmn.org/rules.html)... about 2-3 times more dangerous than a road. Of course, sidewalks and off-road stuff is the most dangerous.

I believe it. I know I feel far safer when I'm commuting on the road than when I take the MUP. Ironically the most dangerous thing I encounter, and frequently, are other cyclists riding double around a blind curve or passing someone around a blind curve.

I'll be the unpopular voice I suppose. I think you were at fault. I treat my bike like a car, which means holding my "lane". If you went around a corner in the middle of the street on a 2 lane road and clipped the car coming the other way it wouldn't matter if they were a driving instructor doing everything picture perfect or a circus performer juggling bowling pins. They were in their lane, you weren't, your fault. While aerobars on a MUP is probably not the best plan in this case they are irrelevant.

Sorry, but yes, you were at fault if you were on her side of the MUP. You are one of the people on MUPs who I hope never to encounter. Seeing people riding side by side in a single lane so they can chat really irks me. And I've seen instances where this happens on a real road where cars are going 50 mph where one rider is no longer in the bike lane but riding over the line in the auto lane. This is dangerous and gives a bad name to cyclists.

If the girl was in her own lane, it doesn't matter if she is using aero bars or not; it is still your fault. 12 mph isn't all that fast. I've learned to not trust people on MUPs; they often do crazy things and I've dropped my speed down a lot on the MUP.

You are very fortunate this time. Next time, follow the rules of the road.

MUPs are the 3rd most dangerous type of riding listed here (http://www.sharetheroadmn.org/rules.html)... about 2-3 times more dangerous than a road. Of course, sidewalks and off-road stuff is the most dangerous.

Seems to me that streets with no bike facilities are more risky, more so if you lump all "roads" together.

Glad you made it out okay :) I bet it will make you edgy around those corners in the future :P I know it would me!

To those of you who keep lecturing me about being at fault here, I did not post my story to get a lecture on rules of the road. Both of us were traveling in the center of the path, with my buddy to the right of me. So yes, had either the lady or myself been traveling in our appropriate lane this would have been avoided. I am fully aware of this. Im no longer new to bike commuting.

12 mph with aerobars. Interesting.


Must have been going up a considerable grade

To those of you who keep lecturing me about being at fault here, I did not post my story to get a lecture on rules of the road. Both of us were traveling in the center of the path, with my buddy to the right of me. So yes, had either the lady or myself been traveling in our appropriate lane this would have been avoided. I am fully aware of this. Im no longer new to bike commuting.

OK - I give up. You posted it why exactly? "We were rounding a blind corner on the MUP and I was taking the center of the path my buddy on the right..."
To demonstrate that although you're familiar with the rules of the road ... that they don't apply to you?

OK - I give up. You posted it why exactly? "We were rounding a blind corner on the MUP and I was taking the center of the path my buddy on the right..."
To demonstrate that although you're familiar with the rules of the road ... that they don't apply to you?

I think the OP posted an incident...a story....an experience.
Both he and the other rider were to blame, which he clearly indicated.
No need to beat anybody up here. Lets go riding....

I think the OP posted an incident...a story....an experience.
Both he and the other rider were to blame, which he clearly indicated.
No need to beat anybody up here. Lets go riding....

Yes. The OP clearly admitted partial responsibility for the accident and just shared his experience, which we often do. He was also compassionate towards the other cyclist, who was also at fault, which shows his high ethics and respect towards others. Everybody makes mistakes, but not everybody is able to admit that and deal with the situation like a decent human being. I'm sure he learned a lesson and there is no need to beat him up any more. And his post also reminded us to be careful.

lucky you weren't impaled ...

OK - I give up. You posted it why exactly? "We were rounding a blind corner on the MUP and I was taking the center of the path my buddy on the right..."
To demonstrate that although you're familiar with the rules of the road ... that they don't apply to you?

:crash:

Yes. The OP clearly admitted partial responsibility for the accident and just shared his experience, which we often do. He was also compassionate towards the other cyclist, who was also at fault, which shows his high ethics and respect towards others. Everybody makes mistakes, but not everybody is able to admit that and deal with the situation like a decent human being. I'm sure he learned a lesson and there is no need to beat him up any more. And his post also reminded us to be careful.

Sorry - I'm reading this ENTIRELY differently. The OP's initial post put almost ALL the blame on the girl coming the other way: "She admitted being at fault for speeding around a blind corner and she had no brake access on the aero bars. I was partially at fault for not being on the far right." It was only after a few forum members pointed out that he wasn't exactly a model for a good driving that he posted: "After thinking it over today at work I do feel more at fault. I should have used more caution when rounding the blind corner and kept to the far right."

No - I'm not overly sympathetic. At least twice a week I have close calls with cyclists or groups of cyclists speeding around a blind corner on my own commute and drifting into my lane to the point that I put an AurZound on the bike and trigger it when approaching that corner. I'm also running more lights than necessary in an attempt to have some advance warning of all the cyclists and pedestrians that insist on using the bike paths after dark without the benifit of reflectors, lights or light clothing.

Oh I've always gotten an apology after an accident - but even though every accident I've ever been involved with has been 100% the other parties fault - its always taken legal action to get anyone to pay for damages. They weren't THAT sorry. Bicycle paths and MUCs were created because cars were percieved to be a risk. Its not cars that are an issue - its people that have no consideration for anyone but themselves - on the street or the bike path. The right thing to do would have been to call for some medical attention for the girl - who apparently was in pretty rough shape. The risk of brain hemmorage following that type of accident is very much a reality and normally anyone with a head concussion should be under servaillence for 24 hours after the incident. About five years ago I had a friend check himself out of the hospital after such an incident and die of brain hemorraging at home while asleep.

Call me a moron if you want - I've made it to 59, which is more that a lot of the people I grew up with, and I'd like to see 100, which is close to what my grandparents did. Course they didn't have to deal with traffic issues, which statistically have killed more people than all the wars in the history of mankind - but everyone seems to blow that off far too easy.

Ask anyone on any safety committee - accidents are avoidable - they're unplanned events that happen when people don't make a conscious effort to make them NOT happen. Someone ran a red light last summer. It cost my neighbors their five year old son. I'm tired of having this $&@? dismissed as 'an accident' or 'an incident'.

I think the OP posted an incident...a story....an experience.
Both he and the other rider were to blame, which he clearly indicated.
No need to beat anybody up here. Lets go riding....

The OP implied it was her fault and only "partly" his. I think several people including myself are suggesting he was at least equally to blame if not more. Had ALL riders been single file, the accident could have been avoided.

I often pass guys on my commute who can see me a half mile away and continue to ride two-abreast thereby passing me with only 6" to spare and forcing me to the edge of my lane. It takes a lot of courage to admit you are wrong. Especially if mommy and daddy always gave you a pat on the back and often told you how brilliant you are.

The OP implied it was her fault and only "partly" his. I think several people including myself are suggesting he was at least equally to blame if not more. Had ALL riders been single file, the accident could have been avoided.

I often pass guys on my commute who can see me a half mile away and continue to ride two-abreast thereby passing me with only 6" to spare and forcing me to the edge of my lane. It takes a lot of courage to admit you are wrong. Especially if mommy and daddy always gave you a pat on the back and often told you how brilliant you are.


How on earth could I be MORE at fault in this incident? As I have said before, I was traveling towards the center of a good 10' wide path around a corner, that was my mistake in the matter. I was not speeding whatsoever. This lady was traveling entirely too fast around the corner, in the center of the path, using her aero bars with no brake access. I quickly accessed my brakes and came almost to a complete stop otherwise the accident would have been even worse. I was able to swerve to the right and avoid a direct impact as well. I have no problem accepting partial blame in this incident. I suppose I was writing out of emotion in my original post and was irritated at the way the lady came blasting around the corner without brakes. I also went right to her aid and asked her several times if she needed additional help after I helped un clip her from her pedals and get to her feet. Like I said, I shared my story because that's what we do on this forum. My hope is that by sharing my experience it would remind others to take caution around these blind corners. I did not seek out an accident nor am I a careless cyclist, it was a freak accident and yes accidents do occur, like it or not. I'm not some heartless idiot who flies around town like a maniac putting every other cyclist I encounter at risk, like some of you seem to be interpreting me as. Anyways, not trying to stir the pot anymore I just don't like it when people who were not there try to pick apart the incident.

Well...

Was she hot?

Well...

Was she hot?


Nothing to write home about.

*snip* This lady was traveling entirely too fast around the corner

12mph is ENTIRELY too fast? I must be a maniac.

12mph is ENTIRELY too fast? I must be a maniac.

Yes, it is if you are rounding a very sharp blind corner on a MUP. Just ask the lady who went over the bars.

Ride single file, especially when nearing a blind turn, no matter how good the onversation is.
MUPS aren't made wide wnough for two abreast unless there is long sight path and no opposing traffic.

Get out of aerobars on any kind of turn, especially a blind one. But if she stayed in her lane I can't put it on her, even if she was 'close' to the center.

Sorry, live and learn, we all make mistakes.

Yes, it is if you are rounding a very sharp blind corner on a MUP and some other moron is driving in the middle of the lane coming the other way. Just ask the lady who went over the bars.

Fixed

Fixed

This is very clever. I am impressed.

There's a MUP a few miles where I live. It only lasts like 10 seconds or so. I've never encountered a single human being walking or riding a bike on it, but there's surplus of geese that like walking on it. They're always there, and they're pooping all over it. It has a yellow line and a sign that states no cars allowed, so I'm going to assume whatever I saw is supposed to be some kind of MUP. I sometimes go on it.

Someone needs to get a Pink bell like mine. :thumb:
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