fthomas

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

Placentia

Buena Park

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

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

UmneyDurak - can you post a link to the news article?

merider1

Horrible. I feel sorry for all victims and their families.

bitingduck

WTF?

That's getting scary.

WhiteCarbonDude

Don't show my wife these, I'll never be able to get out and ride.

So sad.

JTGraphics

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

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

Did you really mean to say that people get killed on bikes around here daily and they're NOT reported???

ckeizer77

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

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

There has to be some way to stop or at least reduce the maiming and killing. Any cycling clubs could step up?

fthomas

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

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

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

And I'm sure everyone in OC laments your absence.

ovoleg

THe OC is lame, there was a show on about it on MTV, lots of girls with fake tits

ggallin

the girls in that show havent even reached puberty.
lulz @ the cop telling you to ride on the sidewalk.

CritEastwood

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

how about you guys ride to the right of the road and not road hog?

mateo44

I agree, it's lame. Stay out.

ovoleg

dont worry your daughter is ugly, i wouldnt go there

CMY

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

thats only if theres not a bike lane / sharrow on the road.

Allez Oops

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.