I wonder when I will get hit?
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I wonder when I will get hit?
I must of been about 10 minutes in front of the rider that got hit yesterday. I ride this streatch of road almost every day before work
Man killed on S.R. 84 was second cyclist in month hit along same area
By Nick Sortal
Staff Writer
Posted January 16 2004
WESTON -- The circumstances were identical in each accident: An eastbound driver, heading into the morning sun, hits a bicyclist on State Road 84 in Weston.
On Thursday, Leonard Fryburg's Honda Civic struck Jeffrey Yuskaitis, 43, at 7:35 a.m. Fryburg never saw Yuskaitis because of the sun's glare, police said. The cyclist died about noon at Broward General Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale.
On Jan. 6, Marilyn Stern drove her Honda Accord into Jose Nieto Carrillo, 40, at 7:40 a.m. on State Road 84, about 5 miles west of Markham Park -- and about 200 feet from Thursday's accident. It was sunny, and police said she veered into Carrillo as she reached to get her sunglasses. Carrillo remains in a coma at Broward General.
In both accidents, the drivers had been traveling below the posted 55 mph limit and the cyclists were properly hugging the white right-hand stripe, police said. There is no bike lane on that portion of S.R. 84, but there's a wide shoulder that is often used.
The drivers just couldn't see them, police said.
Man killed on S.R. 84 was second cyclist in month hit along same area
By Nick Sortal
Staff Writer
Posted January 16 2004
WESTON -- The circumstances were identical in each accident: An eastbound driver, heading into the morning sun, hits a bicyclist on State Road 84 in Weston.
On Thursday, Leonard Fryburg's Honda Civic struck Jeffrey Yuskaitis, 43, at 7:35 a.m. Fryburg never saw Yuskaitis because of the sun's glare, police said. The cyclist died about noon at Broward General Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale.
On Jan. 6, Marilyn Stern drove her Honda Accord into Jose Nieto Carrillo, 40, at 7:40 a.m. on State Road 84, about 5 miles west of Markham Park -- and about 200 feet from Thursday's accident. It was sunny, and police said she veered into Carrillo as she reached to get her sunglasses. Carrillo remains in a coma at Broward General.
In both accidents, the drivers had been traveling below the posted 55 mph limit and the cyclists were properly hugging the white right-hand stripe, police said. There is no bike lane on that portion of S.R. 84, but there's a wide shoulder that is often used.
The drivers just couldn't see them, police said.
#2
Every lane is a bike lane
I find it interesting that after just two cyclists being hit by cars, and there is already a reaction of "I wonder when I will get hit". Seems a little strange that, with the thousands of motorists who die in "accidents" every year, nobody ever has a second thought about that particular activity, nor any of the many others that have a higher death rate than cycling.
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#3
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if that is the case, you should try avioding riding at 7am~8am or so when the sun is in front of you. I think it will be safer for you to ride earlier, maybe @ 6am is a lot safer, or perhaps @ 10am when the sun is high up.
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Originally Posted by Chris L
I find it interesting that after just two cyclists being hit by cars, and there is already a reaction of "I wonder when I will get hit". Seems a little strange that, with the thousands of motorists who die in "accidents" every year, nobody ever has a second thought about that particular activity, nor any of the many others that have a higher death rate than cycling.
Sorry, but there are situations where it's just not a good idea to be on a bike given the prevailing conditions and this might be one of those times and places. When the morning sun is blasting you right in the eyes, a motorist is at a disadvantage when it comes to seeing a cyclist. It's the responsibility of the motorist to be able to see the road and react to whatever is there, but it doesn't seem like a good idea as a cyclist to place yourself in such a compromised position knowing that some percentage of motorists can barely see where they're going, much less see you.
#5
Every lane is a bike lane
Originally Posted by Grendel
Chris, read the article again and think about this for a minute: In the month of January alone, two cyclists have been hit - one killed and one in a coma - along the same stretch of road (both accident scenes within 100 yards of each other) at almost exactly the same time of day.
However, if not, we need to be realistic about the level of risk involved here, and I don't think we have sufficient information to judge that from the article presented. Just a couple of years ago there were two cyclists killed in a month within 5km of where I live. However, both before and since, the death rate here has been very low. Statements such as "I wonder when I'm going to be hit" aren't really productive. What we need to do is look at why the cyclists were it, how many (overall) have been hit, and decide how to solve any problem which may exist in the area.
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I agree with Chris. Could just be really bad luck that led two accidents in a month. On the other hand, perhaps this is a bad time of year to ride at that time of day. In a few more weeks, the sun will be in the same position earlier.
Nonetheless, any accident should give a person reason to consider ways to improve his own safety. Sometimes there's little to be done. Like Dexmax said though, it might be wise to try a different time, or a different route. I know when I ride in poor visibilty I usually stick to routes that have a dedicated bike lane or at least a sidewalk, and I watch behind whenever I have to ride on the shoulder. Part of that is probably road paranoia from being an off-road rider, but then again, it's worked so far.
Nonetheless, any accident should give a person reason to consider ways to improve his own safety. Sometimes there's little to be done. Like Dexmax said though, it might be wise to try a different time, or a different route. I know when I ride in poor visibilty I usually stick to routes that have a dedicated bike lane or at least a sidewalk, and I watch behind whenever I have to ride on the shoulder. Part of that is probably road paranoia from being an off-road rider, but then again, it's worked so far.
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#7
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Odd reading this post, I saw a cyclist get hit today - NO he didn't get killed or even hurt. Van knocked him down and ran over his rear wheel. BUT- Cyclist was at fault. It happened about 100 yards in front of me, going down a one way street, van was pulling off a side (right hand turn) onto the road I was on. CYCLIST WAS TRAVELING WRONG WAY! Van was looking @ me, knew he had time to pull out and did so. Cyclist was very lucky he made it almost past van or else he would have been flattened. I stopped, Van driver was scared. Cyclist was hollering for van driver to pay for his bike (said he should have looked before he pulled out - even though it was going the wrong way on a one way street. I told Van Driver & cyclist I'd be a witness and cyclist backed off, he was a local college student (I didn;t think he was that smart!!!!!). I'm a cyclist but was really po'ed at that guys attitude. No names were exchanged, and all drove off (other witnesses stopped, including a few walkers whom I assume were college kids) excect the cyclist, he walked off carrying his bike as rear wheel had a 90 degree bend. Few of the walkers were calling him a dork.
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I don't usually think about being hit or falling. But the coincidences of these two accidents tell me that sun glare is a factor and I might alter my route until the sun is higher and not a factor. There is a point during season change that the sun is coming up in my eyes during my commute during that short week in the spring and fall I change my direction just so I can see. Of course I have the option of which side of the lake I ride around so I can approach work from the east or the west.
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Any time you are riding into a low sun, be it in the evening or morning, your risk of being hit are greatly increased. Most of my riding is done for recreation, and I always take the angle of the sun into account on a ride. I try to never get into a situation where I will be riding with a strong, low sun in my face. Good luck!
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Originally Posted by Chris L
I find it interesting that after just two cyclists being hit by cars, and there is already a reaction of "I wonder when I will get hit". Seems a little strange that, with the thousands of motorists who die in "accidents" every year, nobody ever has a second thought about that particular activity, nor any of the many others that have a higher death rate than cycling.
There is no better place to get hit in the US than Ft. Lauderdale, and this particular stretch of road possibly has the most cyclists per mile than any around (just a guess). Two people get killed this month (the guy in a comma just died). All of these things together make my mind wonder if I could become one of the statistics.
Just a side note, today there is a big electronic sign on this road warning motorists of sun glare and to be aware of cyclists. I thought this was a nice move by the authorities to raise awareness.
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Just a side note, today there is a big electronic sign on this road warning motorists of sun glare and to be aware of cyclists. I thought this was a nice move by the authorities to raise awareness.
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Originally Posted by H. Star
IIt was sunny, and police said she veered into Carrillo as she reached to get her sunglasses. [/B]
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There are many automobile to automobile accidents that are caused by drivers being "blinded" by the sun. I drive a car and there are often times when fog, sun or whatever make it difficult to see. I do not stop driving. I don't know of anyone who does stop until the sun lowers or the fog clears. That being the case, as a cyclist, I will not ride in the fog, and will ride on the sidewalk, or have tail lights on, or change the time of my recreational ride to prolong my life. After reading something along these longs last Fall, I changed my riding behavior to become more defensive. The driver who was reaching for her sunglasses was only doing what the majority of us all do.....changing the radio station, grabbing a sip of coffee, turning the corner and realizing the sun is now in your eyes and grabbing for the glasses that were on the passenger seat. I would love to say I drive my car and cycle my bike in a safe manner all the time, but it's probably only about 90-95%. What's your rate?
#15
Every lane is a bike lane
Originally Posted by outashape
I would love to say I drive my car and cycle my bike in a safe manner all the time, but it's probably only about 90-95%. What's your rate?
It's interesting that only this evening I was riding in one of those "blinded" situations (as it seems to occur on a section of my ride home from work each day), yet it's far from the most troublesome part of my daily ride.
How long will people continue to dance around the issue of driver accountability?
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I agree with Chris that glare is no excuse for hitting a cyclist. The driver should drive for the conditions and if glare means he can't see, should slow down to make safe progress.
The girl reaching for the sunglasses is guilty of reckless or careless driving.
i also think it's valid for H. Star to raise the concern, if only to raise the problem of sun glare.
I must admit, i sometimes think the early morning ride into the rising sun and run home into the setting sun are more dangerous than riding well lit at night. My sphincter tightens when I'm on a shared road and know there is glare.
The girl reaching for the sunglasses is guilty of reckless or careless driving.
i also think it's valid for H. Star to raise the concern, if only to raise the problem of sun glare.
I must admit, i sometimes think the early morning ride into the rising sun and run home into the setting sun are more dangerous than riding well lit at night. My sphincter tightens when I'm on a shared road and know there is glare.
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plus je vois les hommes, plus j'admire les chiens
1985 Sandy Gilchrist-Colin Laing built 531c Audax/fast tourer.
1964 Flying Scot Continental (531)
1995 Cinelli Supercorsa (Columbus SLX)
1980s Holdsworth Mistral fixed (531)
2005 Dahon Speed 6 (folder)
(YES I LIKE STEEL)
2008 Viking Saratoga tandem
2008 Micmo Sirocco Hybrid (aluminium!)
2012 BTwin Rockrider 8.1
#17
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Originally Posted by Chris L
What we need to do is look at why the cyclists were it, how many (overall) have been hit, and decide how to solve any problem which may exist in the area.
I've been told by some that they wouldn't ride a bike on a street because they were fearful of something like this but what some don't get is that their risk of being hit is just as great when walking or driving.
Last year, in my area, there was 1 cycling fatality but many, many more pedestrians were killed by cars and dozens of drivers had been killed in cars as well.
Accidents happen, no matter if you're on a bike or not. Lets learn what the problems are in each instance and try not to have the problems repeated.
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Originally Posted by dexmax
if that is the case, you should try avioding riding at 7am~8am or so when the sun is in front of you. I think it will be safer for you to ride earlier, maybe @ 6am is a lot safer, or perhaps @ 10am when the sun is high up.