Originally Posted by
neilfein
Yeah, that's helpful, Criticize the cyclist who almost got killed.
There are certain circumstances where the cyclist can do plenty to avoid being killed.
Taking the lane in slower traffic is one.
Not running red lights is another.
Not riding in door zones is another.
Keeping left on approach and through intersections is another.
NOT doing any of the above is the cyclists' choice, and thus will tend to put the cyclist in harms way.
I am not "blaming" the cyclist; just pointing out that he put himself in that position... clearly indicated by this comment from the cyclist:
Traffic was moving rather slowly and you were heading in the downtown direction, as was I. You were in the far left lane and I was riding on the curbside of that lane, near your rear passenger door. Suddenly, you began to veer your Mercedes to the left, potentially crushing me between your car and the cars parked on the side of the road.
Now let me go on and say that indeed the driver was at fault, for failing to check mirrors before moving and then having a crappy attitude, and valuing his auto paint above that of a human life.
But cyclists should really work to avoid putting themselves into harms way... especially when, no matter who is right or wrong, the cyclist loses.
I think that this issue of shared roads and the convoluted "transportation policy" in the US really has to be resolved... unfortunately, the majority is just as likely to vote bikes off the road.
To further comment, I borrow from a great cycling cartoon...
