eja_ bottecchia

the only "conjuring" that I care to make is that it ******* sucks to be riding your bike, on a beautiful late summer morning, enjoying the feel of the road beneath your wheels...and then to have it all taken away in a matter of seconds because a driver was either inattentive, handicapped, under the influence of alcohol, under the influence of drugs. texting, distracted, too old to drive, or just couldn't care less what was in front of him.

It SUCKS big time and I am getting tired of my brothers and sisters getting killed out on the road.

Let's all stop the guessing and CSI speculation. Instead, let's reflect upon the life of our dead brother and the pain that his family must be going through. Next time around it may be one of us lying on that pavement.

Does anyone here know anything about the rider and his family? Care to share it with the rest of us?

Thanks for listening to my rant.

Paul Barnard

Than

And I'd suggest you submit an application to become a moderator if you want to become one. Is the purpose of these threads to express our sympathies, to learn, to explore ideas and thoughts? This story really caused my heart to sink as it happened in Ohio where my brother lives and the bike is the exact same model he has. While you are steering the thread off topic with posts like yours, why don't you tell me if I am allowed to exchange thoughts and ideas beyond that.

Kurt Erlenbach

From reading carefully the comments on the newspaper article, looking at the other media reports, and getting some info from a friend who took the photos, it seems the crash happened before dawn (about 6:15 a.m. - sunrise at about 7:05), the weather was a bit foggy. The cyclist had a front light, and the bike has a rear light bracket - the light might have been knocked off in the crash. Unknown whether the lights were on, but the cyclist was experienced, and it would seem unlikely that he'd be riding that early with no lights. The driver was heading to work, no indication of drugs, drinking, texting, talking on phone, etc., and he drove that stretch of road regularly.

There was a big memorial ride for Mr. Gast last evening. We all should remember our brother cyclist, and work to be safe out there.

eja_ bottecchia

Kurt, thanks for the info.

I-Like-To-Bike

You do seem to have a problem with crossed wires in your circuitry. It is you who keeps posting your so-called "thoughts and ideas" about YOUR problem with "elderly folks" despite having nothing to do with the accident. Just like the others who post other half baked "thoughts and ideas" about possible handicaps or cell phone use that could be involved. Maybe next we can have someone make it a trifecta of insensitivity and bring up "thoughts and ideas" about the protection provided by certain safety equipment.

I-Like-To-Bike

Yes. Thanks Kurt for providing FACTUAL information about this accident.

CharlesZ

Huge fact-- it was dark out. . Does anyone believe riding at night is safe?

Paul Barnard

Physician heal thyself.

SweetLou

Yes

Chris516

I love the excuse the City of Cincinnatti gives for failing cyclists'.

B. Carfree

I've ridden nearly 100,000 miles in the hours of darkness. I've had many close calls during daylight hours, but have never had any motorist get close to me at night. I believe there are two factors at work here:
1. There are far fewer cars being operated when I am out at night.
2. My lights and reflective gear creates a much greater contrast with my surroundings at night than they do during the day.

I do try to avoid being on the road during the drunkest hours (10:00 P.M. to 2:30 A.M.) if I am anywhere near a city, but this killing occurred well outside those hours.

honey locust

Why are handicap people allowed to drive? Diving is a PRIVILEGE NOT A RIGHT, that's right say it with me PRIVILEGE. See now you can't say this is an issue of someones rights, because rights aren't relevant to the situation. You being sad because you aren't allowed to drive anymore does not out way the life of a cyclist. I live in Cincinnati myself, and I can't tell you the comfort I feel knowing that this guy is gonna be right back on the roads. Makes me feel all warm inside.

spectastic

some american drivers are just so stupid!! not just handicap people, but also texting, drinking, being an idiot in general... I almost got hit today because a pickup truck suddenly scooted two lanes over to make a turn at 25 mph, saw me and steered away. (I was riding maybe 10 mph on the sidewalk) F**kin idiot... It was night and I should have had my front light. That's one thing I'm definitely going to make sure to bring from now on before I leave in the morning.

I blame the DOT. testing for a license is such BS in the states that just about anybody can get their hands one one.

------

sorry if I offended handicap people. but my point stands.

eja_ bottecchia

It can be safe. Actual dawn and dusk are far more dangerous than night time because drivers' eyes are still adjusting to the change in lighting conditions.

honey locust

I hate this country. Telling people they can't go around and murder people with a 1 ton bullet is deemed "offensive".

nevermore1701

it is a terrible thing that happened. i work construction and i had to take and pass some classes so i could flag on the road. i had to flag on base for a while. i used to hate those flaggers but after doing the job i have a whole new respect for them.i cant even tell you how many times i almost got hit. funny how people cant see you even though your wearing a bright orange vest and have a big stop sign in your hands. it was unreal how many people i saw talking and texting on the phones.i got so livid one day i went off and swore at some clown who was ignoring me. ever since that job and since i started riding my bike i would honestly say i watch out for everything even more now cause i do not want to hit anyone

SweetLou

How is this failing cyclists? The road that is parallel to the proposed bike path is getting a road diet. It is going from 2 lanes in each direction to 1 lane in each direction, one parking lane on the south side of the road and a bike lane in each direction. Part of the diet is already done. The rest won't be done until after Duke Energy tears up the road to replace some gas pipes. This should be done sometime in the Spring of 2013.

The city is also giving some other roads, like Erie Ave., a road diet. They have done some other roads already, like Mitchel Ave. now has a climbing lane, same with Beechmont Ave. To eminent domain the land required for this path would be very expensive. Especially the part around where newer condos have been built. The river also gives some problems. A school had to be built on stilts to keep the flood waters out. The bike path would be under water a lot. To build it further up the bank to ensure no flooding would mean displacing many homes and businesses.

Again, how did Cincinnati fail the cyclists?

Blinkie

I think that's very close to hitting the nail quite squarely.I'm far from old (early 30s), but not once have I ever seen anyone re-tested on driving competence for a license renewal. I believe it's necessary to do so, at least once per decade if not every half (or four years, if that's your renewal term). I've heard tell of some countries requiring extensive training to receive a normal license. But there are some issues with this.

I'll try not to cross too far into politics with this. But the short reasons for not requiring renewal tests are cost and the people. The cost of testing everyone could become prohibitive, and thus make the cost of renewal too much to be considered reasonable. As far as the people, there seems to be a mindset that driving is a right and not a privilege; that further testing would be Big Government being intrusive; the mindset taught to us from birth has been bigger, faster, more daring; and generally people are becoming ever more complacent regarding responsibility behind the wheel. It all adds up to make the roads a bit less safe.

mtbikerinpa

X2 on the night point. I have had not even 1% of the issues riding night vs day/transition. A lot is due to having significant/dual tail lights, contrast of darkness and the ability to tell where the car is via the shadow cast. The shadow however is not a major factor in movement, but it does help in being assured instead of surprised(as if a car is really a surprise in most cases).

spectastic

I think that people who can't really drive are in the minority, and that most people would support more stringent regulation on giving out drivers license. You can make a similar 'intrusive' argument on having to get car insurance, property tax, or just about anything under the moon. But if it means making the streets safer and more efficient, I am perfectly fine with a few extra grumpy teenagers and seniors.

Heck, limit the number of cars on the road and invest in public transit. Europe is really good at this.

Myosmith

My sympathy for the family of the rider.

The article appears well balanced in its reporting:
While everyone is responsible for his/her actions, we have no idea of the details of this incident. Was the driver distracted by a cell phone or did the cyclist swerve out of the bike lane to avoid a pothole without checking over his shoulder first? At 6:16 in the morning did the driver not see the cyclist due to the rising sun in his eyes? We just don't know. There isn't one of us who hasn't screwed up behind the wheel or behind the handlebars at some point but most of the time it doesn't result in tragedy. Let's just hope that the investigation is able to unravel the whole story and that justice is served.

Chris516

While I don't know if he was preferential to riding in the road, the fact of the construction of the bike path being stalled could have been an indirect contributing factor.

SweetLou

I doubt that. Gast recently moved from West Chester to downtown Cincinnati. Downtown has no bike paths and neither does West Chester. He seemed to have been an avid cyclist, so if he didn't like riding on the roads, he would have driven his bike to a MUP, while living in the Cincinnati area.

Also, Riverside Dr. if a very nice road to ride on. The bike path and lanes don't seem to be needed on this road. It is a two lane road in each direction. It runs parallel to Columbia Pkwy. The parkway is basically a limited access highway, so hardly any cars use Riverside Dr. Parking is allowed on Riverside, so the few cars that do use it, use only one lane, but there is only a few cars that park on the road. This basically means cyclists have a lane all to themselves. In my opinion, this road should be one of the last ones to get a bike lane. Many cyclists, recreational, club riders and commuters use this road. It is the road I use to get home from work everyday. The only time I have seen it kind of busy is after a Reds game where the spill over from Columbia used Riverside. At 6:15 am, this road would be virtually abandoned.

spivonious

Don't let the helmet thread guys see this:

It sucks when a cyclist dies from an idiot driver running into him. What can we do to make drivers more aware of us? I think we need some public service announcements. Many of my friends are impressed that I've started commuting via bicycle, but are too afraid to ride on the roads. My wife fears for my safety every day I go out. Most drivers here are courteous, but very few know the laws. PA recently passed a 4-foot law, but I've had maybe 5% of drivers obey that. Most give 2-3 feet, and others don't move over at all.

dynodonn

I suspect that the motorist had this perception as well.