Comments on: I saw a car/bike crash today

By: ftn

ftn — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 05:04:02 +0000

“Where should we be?”
We should be at a bike lane physically separated from the pedestrians and the cars: that’s the only safe way of biking and the only fair option for bikers, drivers, and pedestrians.

By: mark rogers

mark rogers — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 18:48:33 +0000

I am an electric bicycle rider…..a great bike I bought at the factory in China…..doesnt look like a bike, more like a scooter, but is qualified as a bike and in compliance with the RCW of Washington…….and I agree: Seattle bicyclists are purists; if you dont look like them, act like them(go through red lights in the middle of the day etc.) and have little or no open mind for “alternative ways of getting around outside your car, then you just aint a bicyclist. I grew up in Seattle, and I dont know where this attitude came from, but it wasnt from the people I knew growing up. Electric bicycles are an alternative, and a relatively clean one, to the auto and I also have an all electric car, so it would be nice to have these purist bicycle types to give a wink and a nod and be a little more open minded to people who dont always look and act like them……because some of the bicyclists I see on the road today are some of the rudest and most inconsiderate people I dont want to know…………………

By: Not Impressed

Not Impressed — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 16:22:06 +0000

Gee, no mention of the daily recklessness by self-righteous, law-breaking bicyclists. Yup, you are such saints.

By: Wallingford home to most dangerous intersection for cyclists | Wallyhood

Wallingford home to most dangerous intersection for cyclists | Wallyhood — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 14:52:57 +0000

[...] resident and Cascade Bicycle Club Director of Communications M.J. Kelly witnessed a car/bike crash on Wednesday just east of I-5. It’s all very close to home, as are the crash sites of three [...]

By: Anne

Anne — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:15:35 +0000

This is a terrible intersection for bikers and pedestrians and, although my family rides through it everyday, I wish there were a better option. Both Brooklyn and 47th are much wider than necessary at this location– with two grocery stores nearby, they would be a great place for separated bike lanes. Let’s hope improvements are made soon.

By: Cathy

Cathy — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:28:50 +0000

So sorry to hear this story M.J. I’m so in awe of you strong, brave moms negotiating the city with kids in tow. We do need to consider you first!

By: Kenneth

Kenneth — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:09:51 +0000

In a crash, call the cops.

Every time I’ve been hit, I’ve been too dazed or scared to do this, and things always would have gone better if I’d gotten the cops on the scene immediately. From rural police who just can’t believe that a bike could possibly be worth as much as five hundred dollars when filling out an accident report, to the driver (who did give me the correct number, to his credit) trying to convince me to not file the accident report, so it wouldn’t show up on his insurance. Or witnesses who got the license number, and offered to call, but I was too out of it to take them up on their offer (so the guy never was punished at all).

Always call the cops. It will take forever, and ruin the rest of your day, but the driver will remember you. And you’ll be much better protected legally.

By: M.J. Kelly

M.J. Kelly — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:04:31 +0000

@Andreas, no I haven’t, and thanks for the nudge to get it fixed. I will have to go back to the intersection to remember which way I had issues. I mostly ride Brooklyn, but 12th is looking more attractive these days to get to our preschool. So much more congestion now thet UW is back in session. Ride safely!

By: Andreas

Andreas — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 01:44:25 +0000

“I’ve also had difficulty triggering the light with my bike at 45th.”

Have you reported it to SDOT? In my experience (and from what I’ve heard from other cyclists), they’re usually pretty good about adjusting sensors that aren’t picking up bikes.

By: John

John — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 22:20:40 +0000

Years ago I would bicycle on roadways with traffic.
But now all I want to do is ride bike trails with minimum people and bike traffic.
Had things thrown at me and many close calls with truck mirrors almost hitting me in the back of my head.

So my hat goes off to those that like to, or need to ride in the streets.

I also witnessed a car turning left into the path of guy riding pretty fast in the rain and he slammed the side of the car hard.