Your recent article, "Collision Course" skirted the real issue by focusing on fixed-gear bikes. Bicyclists Bryce Lewis and Caleb Hall were struck by a dump truck which dragged them nearly 25 feet. Focusing on the bike type is like blaming a rape victim for wearing a short skirt.
Bryce Lewis was killed while riding in the bike lane on flat ground with dry pavement. The truck driver took a right turn directly into his path. We believe the focus should be on the negligence of the driver of a dangerous truck, not on the difficultly of learning to ride a fixed-gear bike.
The Seattle Municipal Code states "The operator of a motor vehicle shall not drive in a bicycle lane except to execute a turning maneuver, yielding to all persons riding bicycles thereon." Had the truck driver followed the law, this tragedy would have been avoided.
Fixed-gear bikes can be ridden safely. Bryce Lewis was not "asking for it" by riding a fixie. In fact, Erica Barnett, the article author, now acknowledges that his bike had a front brake in addition to the direct braking inherent in a fixed-gear rear wheel. Apparently this fact was edited out of the story.
A clarification on the Stranger blog is not enough. An investigation into Seattle's many "trouble spots" such as the Eastlake corner would be a good start. Seattle claims to be bicycle friendly, but these claims are often inconsistent with reality. More bike riders means fewer drivers. This is good for everyone, so long as bicyclists' rights are respected. The Stranger should become part of the solution, not be part of the problem.
Niki Hurley, Mobius Cycle (niki@mobiuscycle.com)
Bob Anderton, Bike Lawyer (bob@washingtonbikelaw.com)
Aaron
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 1:51 pm
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 4645
Thank you Niki for your eloquent words!
TrikerTrev
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:02 pm
Joined: 23 Oct 2006Posts: 2303Location: FOCO, MOFO!!!
tey missed tha part where the point 83 forum tells her to fuck herself with a bag of flaming poo!
_________________ Insufferable ass, est. 1969
ksep
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:47 pm
Joined: 27 Jan 2007Posts: 1879Location: Westlake
Great letter, thanks for passing it on.
_________________ -Kevin
Aaron
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:59 pm
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 4645
I have been thinking a lot about this "accident". Denny posted some pics I cannot find quickly but the idea is that at intersections the bike lane gets moved to the left side of the right (turning) lane.
The Bicycle Master Plan needs to be updated to reflect this.
piratemolly
Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 7:47 am
Joined: 25 Aug 2006Posts: 533Location: here, there, everywhere
i really appreciate niki's letter. if you find it good, post it on your blog etc.
i've had 4 people yell at me for riding my Bruiser around town because of that article. of course it's a fixie, and i have a front brake, and i use it. i can't even skid stop if i wanted too. so i obviously don't ride it unsafely. it's stupid that ignorance'causes such negativity.
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