Beware of bikers: Elderly D.C. man hit by bicyclist dies

[Anonymous]

Use the CCT to teach your kids on off hours, not when it's completely mobbed. You wouldn't take them on the beltway to learn to drive would you? As a PP pointed out, it's the same thing. I regularly use CCT and agree that inexperienced riders and kids can be the most dangerous. Not saying they shouldn't use the trail, of course they should, but don't vilify more serious riders. My scariest moment on this trail was going downhill (within the posted speed limit) and a little girl new to riding, coming from the opposite directioin, strayed in to my lane. I saw this happening in slow motion and started slowing down so that I wouldn't hit her, but as a result I was pushed off the trail and had to come to a complete stop. The mother yelled at me when I started shouting "watch out" as she came right at me. WTF??? I imagine it was one of the posters on this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I am also curious, what is the rule about a bicycle in traffic, gets to the next red light and PASSES all the cars lined up at that light. Are cyclists in traffic supposed to wait behind the line at red lights, like any other vehicle would have to do?

Perfectly legal in MD, DC, and VA. Just curious: Why would this bother you?

Because on the one hand, they want to be treated like a vehicle, able to use traffic lanes. But it seems as if the normal rules don't apply to them, and

Well...at least in this case, that's because the "normal rules" actually don't apply to them. As I said, perfectly legal. There are different rules for heavy trucks and cars. There are different rules for cars and bicycles.

Have you ever been stuck behind a cyclist using your travel lane? And you it's very hard to pass because of course, no one will let you in. And if you are lucky enough NOT to have a bike in your lane, in front of you, there you are innocently waiting at a red light, and a cyclist passes you in the little crack between your car and the curb... and now you are BEHIND a cyclist doing 10 mph. Maybe even the same cyclist you PASSED a few blocks back! Argh!

Well, here's the question: if you keep passing the same cyclist over and over again...why? It's clear he's going as fast or faster than you are. So slow down, and wait for an opportunity to pass, or get behind him, take a deep breath, and enjoy your commute.

This is a real problem on K st in the mornings. It's a major artery and the left lane is often being used by a cyclist. Whether you are a cycling proponent or not, you have to acknowledge that bikes using car travel lanes creates a traffic tie up.

Well, no. Bikes *are* traffic. Traffic tie-ups are caused by the massive number of private automobiles we try to jam into the city center. Take the Metro--or ride a bike--and you won't have any of these problems. You can bet that cyclist isn't losing any sleep over congestion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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NP here. I disagree. There is a particular problem with irresponsibility in bicycle culture. Cyclists are not great about yielding the right of way to pedestrians. It is inconvenient for them to stop at intersections, so they resist it. They're supposed to yield to pedestrians on sidewalks in the District, too, but it's much more common for me to have to get out of a cyclist's way because he shows no sign of stopping or slowing. I've posted before about what a PITA this can be for me as a pedestrian dragging a child by one hand and hauling my family's shopping on the other shoulder.

As an urban person, I'm generally in favor of alternatives to driving, but cyclists need to be held to the rules that exist to protect pedestrians.

Sorry, you could make the case with every single one of these things about drivers. Or pedestrians for that matter.

It's incredibly rare to see a driver yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian. So much so that in an urban environment, the first thing we must teach our kids to *always* always be looking for cars. It's inconvenient for them to come to a full stop at stop signs, so they don't. Same with right-turn-on-red. Cars roll through all the time without stopping.

Actually, cars generally do yield the right of way in the District because most drivers hesitate long enough to check at intersections. An assertive pedestrian can normally get them to stop entirely. (I don't care if they do it grudgingly.) But cyclists generally avoid stopping or even slowing. As the rabid PPs are showing me, they're clearly brushing off the damage they can cause to pedestrians.

Full disclosure- I was hurt by a sidewalk cyclist as a child in a city where sidewalk cycling isn't legal. Clearly, I recovered, but I was knocked down and cut/ scraped/ bruised. Such collisions may has relatively minor consequences for otherwise hardy people, but discourteous cycling is hardly a victimless crime.

My child has suffered two minor injuries as indirect consequences of needing to be pulled out of the way of speeding sidewalk cyclists. The first was a scraped knee when she stumbled, and the second time I pulled her away from a cyclist whizzing toward us only to place her directly in the path of a runner coming up behind us. Both times, this happened in busier District neighborhoods with lots of pedestrians around.

PP here: I never ride on the sidewalk at anything over a walking pace. I think the (small number of) folks who do ride their bikes on the sidewalk are a pain in the ass, and they should be treated like any other selfish assholes out there. Knock 'em off their bike. At the same time, you can thank PP for those cyclists being on that sidewalk. Bikes belong on the road. If drivers don't like it, they can go get stuffed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the awesome post criticizing all the wanna-be Lance Armonstrongs. Honestly I'd be a bit more impressed by amateur atheletes who didn't the feel the need for all the pricey (and very unflattering) getups.

But here's a question to the PP who says it's wrong to use the trails to help kids learn how to ride bikes: exactly where in the world are we allowed to teach our kids to ride? I live near the extension of the Capital Cresent Trail, but my street is too busy thanks to all the lousy, non-law-abiding drivers. So why exactly is my 7yo banned from the Trail so that hordes of dorky white Washingtonians can drive up here to park and ride? And even if I don't jog a 7 minute mile like the PP, why can't I use the trail for exercise?

CCT is a major commuter route. No one's saying your 7yo should be "banned" from the trail, anymore than they should be banned from riding in the streets. I think its incredibly illuminating, though, that we repeatedly have these arguments about "scofflaw cyclists" who are self-absorbed, and wear "pricey and unflattering getups", and when you strip the problem to it's essence, it's about how you can't ride in your neighborhood because there are a steady stream of speeding "lousy, non-law-abiding drivers." After all, that's just a force of nature, so who can really complain about it?

Meanwhile, the problem is a bunch of folks on bikes who wear appropriate clothing.

Anyway, you can get peeved about it, but you've got exactly the same chance of eliminating cyclists who are trying to get from Point A to Point B as you do getting rid of drivers who are trying to get from Point A to Point B. I suppose the dream is to one day, what, get bike speed limits lowered to 10 mph, and have massive enforcement? Good luck with that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: So slow down, and wait for an opportunity to pass, or get behind him, take a deep breath, and enjoy your commute.

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh boy, you win, you really do. This is the funniest thing I've read on DCUM in quite some time, and that includes posts about people who think it's a good idea to name girls Desmond.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: So slow down, and wait for an opportunity to pass, or get behind him, take a deep breath, and enjoy your commute.

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh boy, you win, you really do. This is the funniest thing I've read on DCUM in quite some time, and that includes posts about people who think it's a good idea to name girls Desmond.

Thanks, I'm here all week.

Though it is pretty funny, folks coming into the city with the expectation that it's going to be Easy Motoring time. Commuters? Take a look around. Remember just how good it is now, because in a decade, you're going to be nostalgic over this Golden Age of trouble-free driving.

[Anonymous]

Oh, and one last thing: Saw this just today on the back page of the Post's Metro section. It warranted about 3 column inches.

"1 pedestrian killed, 2 others hurt in Pr. George's crashes"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/08/AR2010120807641.html

Funny how *this* story didn't even merit a raised eyebrow, much less several DCUM topics, and 35 responses. Cars kill every single day--often it's a hit-and-run--and when they do, you don't get to hear a bunch of irrational venting about the unique moral perversity of those who drive cars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, and one last thing: Saw this just today on the back page of the Post's Metro section. It warranted about 3 column inches.

"1 pedestrian killed, 2 others hurt in Pr. George's crashes"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/08/AR2010120807641.html

Funny how *this* story didn't even merit a raised eyebrow, much less several DCUM topics, and 35 responses. Cars kill every single day--often it's a hit-and-run--and when they do, you don't get to hear a bunch of irrational venting about the unique moral perversity of those who drive cars.

I believe your answer as to why this wasn't brought up is in bold, not because it has to do with cars. Also why it only got 3 inches in the post.

Actually, I think that the reason the bike accident is under discussion is because it is much MORE rare to have a fatal hit and run involving a bike than involving a car. And therefore, people notice it more than just another car accident.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, and one last thing: Saw this just today on the back page of the Post's Metro section. It warranted about 3 column inches.

"1 pedestrian killed, 2 others hurt in Pr. George's crashes"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/08/AR2010120807641.html

Funny how *this* story didn't even merit a raised eyebrow, much less several DCUM topics, and 35 responses. Cars kill every single day--often it's a hit-and-run--and when they do, you don't get to hear a bunch of irrational venting about the unique moral perversity of those who drive cars.

I believe your answer as to why this wasn't brought up is in bold, not because it has to do with cars. Also why it only got 3 inches in the post.

Actually, I think that the reason the bike accident is under discussion is because it is much MORE rare to have a fatal hit and run involving a bike than involving a car. And therefore, people notice it more than just another car accident.

My point exactly. Compared to cars, bikes pose zero threat. But folks do love to get their panties in a bunch over them. What with cyclists wearing lycra, and having a culture of lawlessness, and all.

Ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

What I'm so sad about is the fact that this couple walked the same path pretty much every day - I saw them every morning walking slowly through the chinatown neighborhood. When I heard about the accident, I was pretty sure it was them, and I'm devastated that he died and that the police have no idea, two weeks later, who the biker was.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, and one last thing: Saw this just today on the back page of the Post's Metro section. It warranted about 3 column inches.

"1 pedestrian killed, 2 others hurt in Pr. George's crashes"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/08/AR2010120807641.html

Funny how *this* story didn't even merit a raised eyebrow, much less several DCUM topics, and 35 responses. Cars kill every single day--often it's a hit-and-run--and when they do, you don't get to hear a bunch of irrational venting about the unique moral perversity of those who drive cars.

I believe your answer as to why this wasn't brought up is in bold, not because it has to do with cars. Also why it only got 3 inches in the post.

Actually, I think that the reason the bike accident is under discussion is because it is much MORE rare to have a fatal hit and run involving a bike than involving a car. And therefore, people notice it more than just another car accident.

My point exactly. Compared to cars, bikes pose zero threat. But folks do love to get their panties in a bunch over them. What with cyclists wearing lycra, and having a culture of lawlessness, and all.

Ridiculous.

Well. I wasn't comparing bikes to cars. I was commenting on how aggressive cyclists with fancy gear are toward other cyclists. My observations are not ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:OP here. To the person calling me an idiot, clearly you're not a pedestrian trying to push a stroller on a daily basis while watching bikes zoom red lights, invade sidewalks with no regard for pedestrians, go the wrong way and every other possible stupidity I see several times a day. Regardless if the guy was a punk, the "nice" bike commuters I see breaking laws all the time face a real possibility of hitting someone too. I dont drive and public transportation is not an option, so walking DC in the stroller to and from daycare is becoming a risky activity.

I lived in Dupont and worked downtown for over 10 years. During that time I was nearly mowed over at least a dozen times by cyclists. (I say this as someone whose DH rode his bike everywhere, including to work every day.) I agree: the "idiot" poster knows jack sh*t about the bike madness out there.

One last thing: I love how anti-bike zealots are "nearly mowed down at least a dozen times by cyclists". They're always just a hair's-breadth away from being killed by gangs of passing cyclists. How often are they nearly mowed down by shopping carts in the produce aisle of their local grocery store?

Their lives must be ever so exciting!

I am not an anti-bike zealot, as I clearly pointed out my mentioning that my husband's bike was his reliable transportation to work for years. I have nothing against bicyclists in the roads. I do, however, detest them speeding by pedestrians on the sidewalk, which is the specific experience I am referring to. Yes, it was a great number of times. If that is outside the realm of your experience, well, that;s outside the realm of your experience. But it was fully mine for years, walking to work day in and day out for over a decade in a highly populated area. Just because you find it hard to believe doesn't make it untrue.

Obviously I wasn't arguing that you weren't passed by a cyclist on a sidewalk in your ten years in Dupont at least a dozen times. I was taking issue with your ever-so-exciting characterization of it as being "nearly mown down!!!" Oh, goodness, if I could tell you the number of times I've been NEARLY MOWN DOWN by drivers in this town, it would make your hair stand up on end. Every time I pass a roller-blader, it seems they're *trying* to MOW ME DOWN. I was eating breakfast the other day during a storm, and saw a tree fall in my neighbor's back yard NEARLY KILLING ME! It was terrifying. In fact, this happens a lot--there was a wind-storm the other day that NEARLY BLEW THE ROOF OFF OF MY HOUSE!!!

My cat scratched DH the other day--ripping open his skin, and nearly putting him IN THE ICU!!!

Life is just so exciting...

You REALLY like ALL CAPS--I nearly PASSED OUT by your rant over semantics! You REALLY like to NITPICK and seem to have a REAL pet peeve about hyperbole--MORE THAN MOST PEOPLE do.

[Anonymous]

I drive to work, am a pedestrian during the day, and on the weekends love to ride my road bike.

Everyone should spend time in each capacity so s/he understands blind spots, flow of traffic, the trouble with mixed traffic and the like.

Assholes in all three groups, I'm afraid. But since we're all together, we need to figure out the real rules of the road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Use the CCT to teach your kids on off hours, not when it's completely mobbed. You wouldn't take them on the beltway to learn to drive would you? As a PP pointed out, it's the same thing. I regularly use CCT and agree that inexperienced riders and kids can be the most dangerous. Not saying they shouldn't use the trail, of course they should, but don't vilify more serious riders. My scariest moment on this trail was going downhill (within the posted speed limit) and a little girl new to riding, coming from the opposite directioin, strayed in to my lane. I saw this happening in slow motion and started slowing down so that I wouldn't hit her, but as a result I was pushed off the trail and had to come to a complete stop. The mother yelled at me when I started shouting "watch out" as she came right at me. WTF??? I imagine it was one of the posters on this thread.

If you bothered to read my post you'd see that we are all experienced on our bikes, as in, not beginners. You were coming down the hill on the trail "Within the posted limit"? I'm sure. You are supposed to safely look out for other riders. Why are you so invested in your aggression here? Your post is brimming with hostility about almost hitting and injuring a child with your bike. You obviously had the last best chance of avoiding an accident. You would do a lot of good for the image of cycling here and elsewhere if you could try to be a little more friendly on the trails.

[Anonymous]

This is a real problem on K st in the mornings. It's a major artery and the left lane is often being used by a cyclist. Whether you are a cycling proponent or not, you have to acknowledge that bikes using car travel lanes creates a traffic tie up.

Well, here's the problem - they aren't "car lanes." They aren't reserved for autos. Bikes are entitled to ride on the road, and to take the whole lane if they so choose. You may not like it, but you need to accept it. Once you adjust your expectations, you'll be much more content.