11 cyclists run down
 

http://www.nbc6.net/news/13997516/de...s=ami&psp=news

Bad enough when they say they don't see one of us riding solo. But this guy didn't see 11 cyclists, as part of an even larger group?!?

Well, at least it was a RAV that hit them.

And all he got was a citation?

I only hope the cyclists sue the following parties:
- the driver
- the other cars parked in the bike lane
- the apartment complex for not providing alternative parking for the residents of the complex, who parked in the bike lane.

Yeah, that's one of the things that make me most mental about this stuff...like the girl who killed a cyclist, because she was texting while driving, and only got a ticket for an illegal lane change, or something like that. Get on a bicycle, and your life becomes worthless in the eyes of the police, and society as a whole.

I need to unplug my brain for a second...I'm going to watch that idiotic chick from South Carolina again.

I guess because a bicycle is considered a vehicle like any other an accident is just that, an accident? Only thing is we don't have anything protecting us, so typically we die.

If this person who ran down 11 cyclists just hit another car instead he'd probably get the same penalty.

Here's a photo of the driver.

http://images.usatoday.com/life/_pho...vie-wonder.jpg

"The man said he didn't see the group of bicycle riders going westbound on the same street"

Understand there were 40 cyclists! You may be right with your pic. :mad:

... Brad

Yup. Equal protection under the law folks.

I hope that EVERYONE sees this video! It's absolutely a riot! I haven't laughed that hard in awhile. Actually, the last time I laughed that hard was when I saw "Dick in a Box!" Google it, it's hilarious!

-Barry-

Actually, I think even Stevie would've seen them. I think someone never bothered to look.

Az

That's all the cop can do. What else did you want from them? Of course the cyclists can/will sue the driver, maybe the parked car owners, but the apartment complex isn't at fault for anything. But you won't find the results of those settlements for months. I hope the cyclists get compensated for their equipment plus pain and suffering, but some of you act as if the driver should be executed right there at the scene.

Not true. He should be tried and then executed.

Ants have a very logical society. You know what ants do with the elderly members of the colony? They send them to work in the portion of the colony used as a garbage dump/cemetery, away from the more active parts of the colony. Then when the elderly ants die, they are already in the cemetery and no extra work has to be done to move their carcasses.

I like that idea, and shall consider a job at Forest Lawn when I retire.

zzzZZZING!

I always love this part.

I'm sure the police officer did what was correct for the situation. Hopefully the driver will get what is coming to him. On the other hand, if he zig-zagged his Toyota down the street and damaged eleven parked cars, he would likely get more than a simple citation. If the riders had their new Campagnolo-equipped Pinarellos damaged, they need to stridently pursue his insurance company.

There was more discussion of this in the Safety/Advocacy forum. The driver didn't mow down 11 cyclists. He pulled out in front of them and they hit him. He couldn't get a proper view of the road because of the parked cars. True, he probably could have been more cautious and is still at fault, but he's hardly the devil.

This is why I'm afraid to ride in large groups like that. There is a ride in my area that gets up to about 40 riders every Saturday. It takes up the entire lane and runs about 4 wide. I can't keep up with them now but a year ago when I could I went out with them. When I got in the middle of the pack I realized that if something went the slightest bit wrong, no one would be able to stop. So this is what happens when you combine a drive not being careful enough with a group of cyclists that are in a pack unable to stop.

I've seen that ride out on the road before when I was driving. How someone could miss it is beyond me. 40 cyclists in brightly colored jerseys moving in one big pack is about the most obvious thing on the road ever.

My friends mom told me about this, I live in the general area where this happened so she saw it on T.V. She still thinks somehow its the cyclist's fault.

Its so frustrating getting people to understand LAWS!

Were any of these guys involved?

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=337481

That's horrible! I almost got hit last night. I was heading South on a road and the car was heading north. They turned left directly into me. I was going about 23 mph and slammed on my brakes. Eventually they slammed on theirs too. I slid side ways for a while but managed to stay on my bike. The car was about a foot away. I had to get off my bike about 10 feet down the road because I was shaking so much. I happened so fast.

After a close call like that, I usually go back and have a talk with the driver - attempting to keep a calm and controlled tone while making sure that being shaken up is very visible. So far, even the most initially belligerent of drivers apologized and sincerely promised to drive safer in the future.

Better than nothing.

She drove away as I sat on the side of the road.

Wow man, that story sucks. Got to be careful out there.

Same as riding a motorcycle, we have no protection so it's our responsibility to avoid them. Ride like you're invisible, expect every car to go out of their way to drive into you, and when you're in a group like that do not EVER expect anyone else to be paying attention for you.

Just to play the devils advocate. Some of the reports call this a race training ride. Now of course that can vary, but at the least it brings up images of guys riding faster than is safe for the conditions and at the worst guys actually racing.