Photo of the Day: November 27, 2009
Car Pushed Into Anacostia River By Train
Morning Roundup: Black Friday Edition
Devendra Banhart @ 9:30 Club
Saturday Thanks Don't End At Thanksgiving Photo: November 28, 2009
The AP is reporting that a 22-year-old woman has died after being struck by a garbage truck while riding her bicycle near Dupont Circle this morning. The garbage truck, which was not owned by the city but rather a private company, struck the woman at Connecticut and R Streets NW just before 8:30 a.m. The roadway around the accident site was shut down while officers investigated the scene. The woman has not yet been identified.
UPDATE 11:18 a.m.: Reader Giacomo Abrusci sends in some images of the scene of the accident. You can see the outline of where the woman was struck in the pedestrian crosswalk at 20th and R Streets above. The Post also has a story up now with a chilling quote from Fire and EMS spokesperson Alan Etter: "The truck just ran completely over her," Etter said. The truck was owned by KMG Hauling Inc., a company based in Sterling. It's still not clear whether this driver was working on a job for the city or a private residence or business.
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oh no. very sad. the city will still likely be on the hook. well, as long as the truck was on city business and not hijacked by joyriding tourists or something.
Actually, according to the story on the Post, which is much better than the linked to AP story, it was a private hauler who struck the cyclist. Whether or not they were working for the city at the time is unclear (according to the paper).
oh boy, this is terrible. my thoughts go out to her family and friends.
how fast was the truck going? i looked at the post and WTOP articles, and the details are not clear. i'm assuming she was in the bike lane there. could the truck have made a right turn into her without seeing her there?
How awful! Vaughan, I think it's a bit early to say the city will be on the hook. The garbage truck though could've been hired to pick up from dumpsters at condos and such.
Bravo WTOP Comment Board. It only took you one post to be incredibly offensive.
As for the city's liability, obviously there are few facts out there, but I can't see how the city would be liable for a private garbage truck. I think most private garbage trucks, like Tenleytown Trash, contract directly with the apartment buildings they service. It's not like they're subcontractors of the city.
There's a bike lane there on R street at Connecticut ave - likely where this occurred. This is what happens in a city where there's little-to-no enforcement of traffic laws. The trash truck that killed her was operated by kmG Hauling out of VA - probably a private hauler for one of the restaurants in the area there.
you're right, drew. i made a snap assumption there. my bad!
oh no! so sad!
this happened about 4 cars in front of me on my commute this morning (had to drive down the alley behind Cosi). based on my experience, those garbage truck drivers pay very little attention to their immediate surroundings.
The Post story provides actual details. Sounds like she wasn't just struck, she was plain run over. WTF.
Oh, that's awful. My heart goes out to her family. I was wondering what happened, I was on the L2 bus going down 18th street and saw the street blocked off.
This is simply awful.
Once again, our traffic management systems are in conflict with good practices nationwide in terms of managing our resources to the benefit of cyclists and pedestrians.
Once again, we ask, when will the City wake up and get it together?
The Master Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans are good starts but are a mere drop in the bucket where good policy is concerned.
I am sure the politicians will use this opportunity to lament the situation, but until our leadership starts to put its foot down and draw the line on best practices, crap like this will continue.
These are tragedies which can be avoided, or at least mitigated.
I walked by the scene around 10... the truck was still in the intersection, although it had probably been moved a bit, it was still pointed in the northbound direction on 20th... based on comment 9, I suspect that the girl was headed straight through the intersection in the bike lane on the right hand side of R while the truck was turning north onto 20th from R... which would take it right across the bike lane...
did the truck signal its turn? could the girl have seen it? regardless, it's a damned shame... and why does it seem that garbage trucks are involved in a disproportionate percentage of pedestrian accidents?
I wonder if it was a metro bus driver moonlighting as a trash hauler....
i'm not defending anyone or saying who's at fault, but the crosswalk where the accident happened has always been dangerous (between Tomate and the Scientology Church). pedestrians/bikers are always crossing when they don't have a walk signal. something like this was just waiting to happen.
Only 22 years old =(
I've just begun using my bike as my primary means of transportation in DC, and as more people make the same decision I do we as a city need to work on ensuring safety on the road for all pedestrians and cyclists.
McGillcuddy--
Nice how you are not defending anyone or saying who's at fault, but still manage to cast blame on the deceased victim. Very classy. As long as we're jumping to conclusions without any data, it looks like the most logical conclusion is the classic "right hook" scenario that Captain Easychord describes. And as long as drivers don't look for pedestrians and cyclists with the right of way right hooks are just waiting to happen.
I walked past the scene this morning and was incredibly saddened. This is a tragedy.
That being said, without knowing the facts, we cannot assume that the driver was at fault or that the intersection is poorly designed or maintained.
As a pedestrian, and non-car owner, in the Dupont area, I have seen nearly daily occurences of outrageous, illegal and dangerous riding by cyclists. I've nearly been run over more than a few times by cyclists. And I've seen law abiding drivers cut off and accidents nearly occur because of cyclists who believe laws and common sense do not apply to them.
While it is key that the city take responsibility for pedestrian, cyclist and auto safety in the district, it also key that cyclists also take responsibility for their own safety. Stop running red lights, stop swerving through intersections, stop cutting cars off, stop riding at breakneck speeds down sidewalks.
Before we know the facts of this accident, let's just remark that is a tragedy without assigning blame.
easychord, I've driven a Ryder truck. and it has awful blind spots. Trucks in general have no rear view mirror, so it's hard for them to see. Not apologizing, just answering why they might be involved in so many collisions.
@McGillicuddy: Your statement completely moronic and, in regards to this tragedy, entirely speculative. Use your brain for once before making a comment; maybe then will you learn not to piss people off.
So how's a "master plan" supposed to fix this? We've got a plan now. It's called "look both ways." Doesn't seem like anybody, walking/biking/driving, pays attention to that. And when's the last time you saw a cop pull someone over for jaywalking or running a red light? Enforcing traffic laws is at the bottom of the cops' list, down there with issuing curb-your-dog fines and harassing loiterers.
Between 600-700 bicycle fatalities occur every year throughout the U.S., which is nothing compared to traffic fatalities as a whole. If you want fewer vehicle related fatalities downtown, you need fewer vehicles on the roads.
I have had trash trucks nearly back into my car in that area more times than I can count. A large part of their perceived carelessness is the fact that once their route is completed, they're done for the day--so there is an incentive to work as fast as possible. Not saying that this was the case here, b/c the facts simply aren't available...but I have seen reckless disregard for traffic laws by both cyclists and trash truck drivers. This is all very, very sad...
hey, i'm just saying that it's a dangerous intersection and am not surprised that an accident like this happened. i'm not saying it's the victim's fault or the driver's fault, but i'll tell you this - it's probably one of their faults. or maybe we should just blame the Church of Scientology.
did the truck signal its turn? could the girl have seen it? regardless, it's a damned shame... and why does it seem that garbage trucks are involved in a disproportionate percentage of pedestrian accidents?
My general feeling of that intersection is you can't see if cars are signaling from Connecticut Ave because of that street's angle and the slight straightaway that occurs on 20th before actually getting to R Street, and cars parked along the street there.
That intersection is no better or worse than 16th and New Hampshire or Connecticut and K or anwhere around Dupont: NOBODY pays attention to ANYTHING outside of their own tiny world. It's like when people have been sitting around waiting long enough, traffic signals and Dont Walk signs just become optional.
I just read the comments on WP and the one (by the lady who claims that everything I do to be safe and increase my visibility is actually just unsafe and me trying to enrage her into an accident) gets me to wondering:
Do VA, DC, and MD require ANY knowledge of Bike laws in order to get a driver's license? I am becoming a huge proponent of retesting - universal retesting, for you and me and everyone, not just for the aged. Which, even that last was shot down here in DC, so there are no mandatory retesting laws to keep driving. IF THERE WERE, we'd have a tool for perhaps increasing driver (and cyclist) understanding of the real laws of the street. As it is, most drivers and cyclists alike drive in a sort of limbo, public trust sort of way, hoping we agree enough on the rules not to kill anyone.
I'm already a paranoid cyclist (because I carry a toddler on my bike with me), but reading that entitlement rant scared me just that much more.
just this morning, i thought about starting to commute to work by bicycle (rather than take the bus), when i noticed bikers using bike lanes on 17th street downtown.
i think i'll put that idea on hold now....
all of us are trying to get everywhere as quickly as we can. i move fast when i'm on a bike, and i know cars move as quickly as they can without turning the street into a formula one race. we all just need to slow down.
maybe what the city needs is for everyone to just get high and relax, eh?
That's just a real shame, regardless of blame or wrongdoing or anything. :(
Sophiagrrl, I think there may be one question on the written test. But, of course so many people in DC waive in from out of state...I think retesting is a great idea (at my job I have to retest every year on how not to give away my password or sexually harass my co-workers - clearly they have not seen my co-workers) and I think cyclist/motorist insurance with lower rates for those who take a 'confident cyclist' course is a great idea too.
Quoth McGillicuddy:
I can get behind that.
But seriously, I think I can agree on every single point in this post. Some cyclists are reckless, some pedestrians are reckless as are some drivers. The cops don't enforce traffic laws unless they feel like it. But instead of bitching about it here, how many of us are going to write a council member or the mayor demanding REAL action?
Not placing blame here but I must say that I'm frequently amazed at the behavior of some cyclists. There have been a few occassions when I am proceeding to make a right turn, checked the mirrors, used turn signal etc. and out of nowhere a cyclist tries to squeeze between my car and the curb just as I'm making the turn. Not very smart.
Why doesn't the city restrict trash pickup to the early morning hours to prevent these behemoths from tooling around the city during rush hour?
@monkeyerotica...the problem is, the city can write all the master plans and flush whatever millions of dollars down the commode it wants. The irony is that DDOT has had a pilot pedestrian signal in upper northwest for the past 18 months or so.
There has not been one accident at the intersection, nor any pedestrian incidents in that time. Yet, what does the city do? It announces that the signal will become a traditional signal because of near misses viewed in 96 hours of video collected in October 2007 and because drivers get frustrated and drive through a red light.
You would think with the number of pedestrian fatalities and injuries and tragedies like this morning (not to mention the deliberate attempts to curtail commuting single occupancy vehicles, as noted by Eric Weiss in the Post) that the city would be lauding this advancement.
To eliminate the signal simply demonstrates the lack of commitment by DDOT to these progressive policy initiatives in favor of, yes, drivers, who are generally the same ones who comment that the pedestrians and bicyclists should get out of their damned way.
NotTheRedBaron--
Assuming that the light is green and there is no stop sign, when a car is turning right and a cyclist is traveling straight in the same/adjacent lane the cyclist has the right of way.
demonfafa says...
what "real action" would prevent a situation like this? stepped up enforcement of traffic laws might help a little, but ultimately monkey has the answer here:What a tragedy.
More generally, I have to agree with IMGoph and demonfafa that we're all to blame. As a pedestrian, I've had cars almost mow me down (when they had stop signs - forget trying to cross at a designated crosswalk that lacks a stop sign or light), I've seen bicycles stupidly cut off cars, and there have been a few times where I could have gotten myself killed trying to dash across a street and was saved by an alert driver stopping just in time. Maybe the cops just need to issue more citations. I think that would motivate me.
Why doesn't the city restrict trash pickup to the early morning hours to prevent these behemoths from tooling around the city during rush hour?
Because most people I know don't want to be woken up by the sound of trash trucks loading at 3am.
I think retesting is a great idea
As a driver, I will happily submit to retesting as soon as every single bike in the city is registered as a vehicle and every single bike rider is required to have a license to operate his or her "vehicle." You want to "share the road?" Fine, then get licensed and registered like the rest of us.
That intersection is no better or worse than 16th and New Hampshire or Connecticut and K or anwhere around Dupont: NOBODY pays attention to ANYTHING outside of their own tiny world. It's like when people have been sitting around waiting long enough, traffic signals and Dont Walk signs just become optional.
So true. There seems to be a dominant mode of thought with many drivers and pedestrians that if a car or person is not directly in front of them, then it must be safe to proceed. (Again, not saying that's what happened here. Just commenting in general). I see it several times a day.
Also, it does seem like moving violations are a low priority for MPD. In my 10 years living here I've seen a total of one car get pulled over, for making an illegal left turn onto Connecticut Ave from Florida (he was asking for it. Cop car was right behind him and even warned the driver with a quick blast of the siren/horn). Of course, when MPD does try to enforce driving/pedestrian laws, everyone gets in a tizzy about how there are more important things for the police to be doing.
I don't own a car or a bike, but agree that better/more driver and cyclist education needs to take place. I think most drivers commuting in the city (particularly when they drive in from the suburbs) are not aware enough of the bike lanes. Also, I think that a lot of drivers just don't do the mental shift it takes when going from highway to city street. If you're used to cruising along on the beltway at 65 mph (ok, granted, that's WAY over the average rush hour speed), not having to look for bikes, then you hit the city streets, you have to change how you are driving.
That said, I've seen cyclists taking crazy risks that scare me. If you try to go one-on-one with a two ton metal object, soft flesh will always lose, whether you have the right of way or not. As more and more people decide to commute by bike, I fear we are going to see more of this kind of news. Speaking of which, anyone see the NBC Nightly News last night which had a feature on exactly this increase? It mainly highlighted Portland, OR, but also mentioned the "Smart Bikes" coming (soon...?) to DC.
Re: the garbage trucks in the Dupont area, yes, they need to be more careful, but I think overall they do an amazing job of navigating the tight streets, alleys, traffic and other obstacles they have to deal with on a daily basis. Older residential areas were not designed/built to handle vehicles of that size. Maybe we need smaller trucks...
I was making a right turn yesterday and almost hit a cyclist passing on the right, scared the shit out of me. I also watched someone get hit last year and land on their head, which was awful. I always thought a little low curb (like a speedbump) separating the bike lane would be a good idea. I ride my bike a lot and am always worried about who's behing me, having that curb would provide a (false?) sense of "separation"
Anyway, having seen a bike accident before, I really feel for that girl AND the driver who hit her.
I definitely feel for the driver as well. Nobody WANTS to hit somebody, let alone kill them. This driver will have to re-live that moment again and again and think "if only..." My nephew was hit and killed by a car, and a coworker of mine struck a pedestrian who died. I feel for me, my family, the driver, the driver's family...many people are effected in this kind of tragedy.
In the past 2 weeks I have had 2 different drivers nearly run me down, then flip me the bird all for the offense of walking in the crosswalk with the right of way, once with a light and once with a 4 way stop, while there are douchebag cyclists and pedestrians out there, I am not one, and who knows if the deceased was, but they are deceased, no one gets killed by being run over by a bike.
Yeah, no one wants to hit/kill a pedestrian/cyclist, but I work in emergency services and the first words out of the car driver's mouth is almost always "I didn't see him". Yup, because you weren't paying attention.
Automobile drivers need to realize they're not the only ones on the road. Like I said before - with zero enforcement on the part of local police there's nothing to drive that point in. There's a culture withing MPD [and likely other law enforcement here] that enforcing 'traffic' is beneath them. Officers actually give each other sh*t for doing it. Just plain sad.
Newschannel 8 has an update-apparently she was riding on the sidewalk and was going straight as the truck made a right hand turn.
Wow. What a tragic accident. Bikes on the sidewalks are never a good thing.
hillvada - What does your righteous indignation get you? If all bikes and riders were registered, what does that change?
Lots of great ideas and thoughts, here. My friend got hit by a car door opening as he passed last weekend - awful stuff. It would be awesome if drivers had more awareness of bikers in general.
I'm a member of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), which advocates on behalf of bikers (bike lanes, etc) in Metro DC.... http://www.waba.org/ Strength in numbers, right?
Oh no, she was riding on the sidewalk? That's really dangerous, because cars/trucks can't see you before you go shooting into the intersection.
Clearly, bikers need more education in DC on how to bike safely. I hope this will be impetus to ban sidewalk biking in DC.
Bicyclists are allowed use of the sidewalk anywhere north of Massachusetts Ave [which this location was]. If she was in the crosswalk when struck the truck driver should be charged with (at least) striking a pedestrian in the crosswalk. I believe that's a jailable offense.
From the NewChannel 8 story:
"Sources say the woman was riding on the sidewalk on R Street parallel to the truck, which was traveling in the same direction. When the light turned green for both lanes, the bicyclist rode into the crosswalk just as the truck was making a right turn. Sources believe the woman may have been in the driver's blind spot and that the collision which followed was an horrific accident"
I'm sorry but any time a biker or pedestrian is struck by a vehicle that should be an automatic 5 years for the driver, and if death resulted, 25 to life. Drivers in DC have an unwillingness to pay attention to the less-protected bikers and pedestrians that are all over the city. I hope the truck driver does time for this.
She was 22. No matter what, the accident was avoidable by the driver and he should pay the price for it.
Isn't illegal for people to bike on the sidewalk?
"Bicyclists are allowed use of the sidewalk anywhere north of Massachusetts"
That certainly doesn't make biking on sidewalks safe. It's very dangerous for the exact reasons demonstrated by this accident -- if she had been in the street where she belonged, the truck might have paid attention to her before she got into its blindspot. This isn't to say that the truck wasn't also at fault, but as a biker, *visibility* is one of your biggest security assets.
No, it's not an "accident", if that's the case. It was the failure of the driver to ensure that the road was clear.
Chalking things like this up to "accidents" removes responsibility for our actions (both that of the driver and cyclist). There was a crash, and a cause. It's important to ID the cause.
Anytime? So when a bike messenger comes bolting out in front of an SUV with no warning, like I saw yesterday, and hits him, which fortunately just barely was avoided. It's the driver's fault? Sorry, I don't buy it. Absolutely drivers should pay attention, but my perceptive abilities only extend so far. I can't avoid what I can't see coming.
At this point this article has the most info:
http://www.news8.net/news/stories/0708/534131.html
I'm happy to point blame. How could it possibly be the cyclists fault? She was going straight and was hit by the FRONT of a truck making a turn. The driver was not paying attention. He even said he did not see her (my head was up my ass). It's a shame she was on the sidewalk for a couple of reasons, first is that is way more dangerous to ride on the sidewalk because a car has to be really looking for cyclists to see them when they come off of the sidewalk into the street as she was and it is illegal to ride on the sidewalk in the golden triangle district. She was not in this district because it stops at the southern edge of the circle, but this could create some technicality if it goes to trial.
fvk777 -- so you say the driver had his head up his ass, but also that a driver "has to be really looking" to see a cyclist on the sidewalk. So who exactly are you blaming?
No, if she was waiting at the same light as the truck, the driver had the obligation to ensure the crosswalk was clear or both peds and bikers.
If the news report is accurate, there is blame and liability here, IMO.
This is so awful. I'm also a bike commuter, and I hope this pushes the city to enforce bike lane laws more strictly. This could easily happen again.
I agree with gulcer - there seems to be a lot of ignorance of traffic laws on both sides, and the blame and responsibility does not lie completely with either drivers or cyclists.
And to dchater - it's great that I have the right of way when there's a car stopped at an intersection waiting to turn right, but in practice, they usually don't stop at all. In that case I slow down to let them go ahead of me, because I just don't trust the car not to run me over. I always ride on the assumption that even though I use lights, reflectors, and bright clothing, drivers either won't see me or will assume they have the right of way, even when I'm sitting in a dedicated bike lane. I think that at this point in time, until drivers get used to looking before they turn across a bike lane, it's safer for me to let them do their thing, even though neither of us is technically obeying the law.
"How could it possibly be the cyclists fault? "
One more comment in the interest of public safety, then I'll stop out of respect to the poor girl...
It could be in part the cyclist's fault because drivers in the lane simply don't expect something going as fast as a bike to emerge from off of the sidewalk. There have been plenty of studies demonstrating why sidewalk riding is dangerous. Here's some more info:
http://www.bikexprt.com/bikepol/facil/sidepath/sidecrash.htm
We can all quibble about fault, but I hope this girl's death (and the terrible guilt no doubt felt by the driver) can produce some good by inspiring better safety measures by both bikes and drivers.
Okay, I just re-read the NewChannel 8 story and I'm more confused. Part of it makes it sound like she was riding the whole time on the sidewalk and rode in front of the truck. It also makes it sound like they were waiting for the light.
there is no technicality if she was riding on the sidewalk there. the prohibition against riding on the sidewalk doesn't begin until further south. i don't understand what the technicality is? even if there is bike lane there, se could still ride on the sidewalk.
also, on a somewhat related note. drivers need to stay out of bike lines. get out of the bike lane. that means no double parking in the bike lane or pulling into it at a light so you can make a turn.
with respect to both drivers and bikers, generally, in the District: there is plenty of blame to share and go around. both sides do insane things. case in point: this morning, i was nearly hit by a car whose driver was making a turn WHILE TALKING ON HER MOBILE PHONE (my pet peeve and illegal to boot). on the other hand, i noticed a bike commuter downtown driving recklessly in rush hour traffic.
until we know (if ever) what exactly happened here, people might want to hold back on judgment of either the driver or the biker here.....
MikeB - if you're asking me, no I'm not saying that it's the driver's fault everytime. But in the case of crosswalks, or when the cyclist is sharing the lane? Absolutely it's the driver's responsibility. If I'm next to you on K St., and you turn into one of the turning lanes - and into me in the process - there's no excuse about a blindspot or "just didn't see you."
i'm a bike commuter in this city and i have been hit 3 times by careless drivers. i know how this goes down and it sucks. when i was hit by a car in this same scenario, the car stopped, waited till i got up, then drove away when they saw me walking. there is a culture of careless, aggressive and irresponsible driving in this city. while its true bicyclists make bad decisions while biking, so do drivers. but we aren't pushing a tons of steel down the road.
i think this video shows well how difficult it is to see beyond what you want to see. dc needs to educate drivers to share the road, to pay attention, and the city deseperately needs to help protect those of us who bike and walk and are vulnerable to those drivers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_9INBPUX9U&feature=related
Nobody WANTS to hit somebody, let alone kill them.
Speak for yourself. Clearly, you've never been in the line for the Port-o-let at the chili cookoff.
My first instinct was to tell all the people saying this happened because the poor girl was on the sidewalk to f off, but then I realized demonfafa's comment about actually doing something is right on. I will be joining WABA today, but I also wonder about the possibility of a group ride- something critial mass-ish to draw attention to the situation. True, it's been tried many times before, but doing so right after a tragedy like this might actually get some media attention. I love the image of a peloton completely taking over the "bike lane" on 7th street.
Especially if it means we see Monkey in a cycling outfit :)
also, on a somewhat related note. drivers need to stay out of bike lines. get out of the bike lane. that means no double parking in the bike lane or pulling into it at a light so you can make a turn.
Which reminds me. Someone in DC has a blog dedicated to posting photos of cars parked in bike lanes. Can't remember if I saw the link here or somewhere else. And now I can't remember the name of the site. D'oh.
#1 cause of cyclist fatalities: pulling up to the right of a car at an intersection, then it turning into you while you go straight
#2 cause of cyclist fatalities: riding on the sidewalk and being struck in the crosswalk
Drivers, while everyone obvious has to be safer, please try and remember that you are the one in charge of a machine which is capable of maiming and killing people. Please, slow down, wait a second before turning, and always be aware of your environment. Placing blame based on lane jumping and the like is pointless; regardless of whether the person on the bike is right or wrong, she is still a person. Yes, it may be frustrating to have to be extra-careful around cyclists, but it's a human life you're dealing with, not some minor annoyance.
Well, so much for our Most Improved Bicycling City award. Do we have to give the award back or what?
oh wait, here we go
MyBikeLane.com
That the sidewalk is more dangerous is a contentious issue. This is largely based on a study by the city of Toronto and does not distinguish between the location or the age of the rider. A child riding on the sidewalk along a dangerous street is more likely to be hit than an adult on a city street.
Sidewalk cycling is legal in most of the city, and done right can be safe - at least as safe as walking.
In the Toronto study, they point out that it is cyclists moving along with the car and quickly into the intersection - without stopping - that are most at risk. In this case that isn't a factor (based on the description given). She started from stopped at the intersection - just like a pedestrian. Speed of the cyclist was almost surely not an issue.
It appears the cyclist was 100% in the right, and that all this talk about scofflaw cyclists was misdirected.
I stand corrected on the biking on sidewalk issue. I just looked it up in the city regulations. The rules also state:
1201.13 No bicyclist shall suddenly leave a sidewalk and ride into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.
I am not saying that is what happened. However, it is clear to me that without having more detailed information, this could easily have been the fault of either party. I have seen just as many bikers violate traffic laws as I have seen drivers do the same. If I had a penny for each bicyclist I have seen run a red light, or fail to yield to pedestrians on the sidewalk...
it sounds to me like, since they were both waiting for the light to change, there's fault with both here. she should have checked to make sure the crosswalk was actually clear before she headed across (might have noted the truck signalizing a turn, if it did so).
it seems like the truck driver was moving pretty quickly. he should have proceeded only after checking to make sure things were clear. the only way i can see him not being able to see her whatsoever would have been if she entered the crosswalk well after he had initiated his turn...
Sorry I have to disagree MB.
Its also the responsibility of the cyclist to make sure he or she is not in a blind spot.
An experienced cyclist can tell if they are in a blind spot or not.
Either way it is a tragedy that this young women is dead.
@greeper
was that cyclist with whom you almost collided passing on your right or were you attempting to turn by crossing over right-hand traffic? as we all know by now, cyclists have to be treated as cars and given wide berth, as cyclists must in turn do for cars. if that cyclist was moving forward on a green light and you had actually collided, you would have most certainly been at fault.
Breaking my rule on not posting more -- from the News8 article, it sounds like neither of the stopped: the light turned green as they were proceeding down the street, and they both went through it.
Washcycle - That's an interesting take on the sidewalk safety issue, but as far as I'm aware there are many more studies in addition to the one in Toronto. Do you have any insights on the studies mentioned on this webpage? http://www.bikexprt.com/bikepol/facil/sidepath/sidecrash.htm
I believe law dictates that one is supposed to walk a bicycle through the crosswalk. If she was on her bike in the crosswalk, I believe that she would be considered a vehicle and not a pedestrian.
The first time I was hit by a car on my bike was very similar to this case and subsequently I no longer use any of the sidewalks as it is very difficult to be seen when crossing over roadways.
As mentioned by many, EVERYONE needs to pay more attention on the streets. I can't even count the number of times I've nearly been run down while riding the streets of DC and VA. With that being said, I have had my fair share of "stupid moves" on my bike, on foot, and in my Jetta Limon. We all just need to take a deep breath and slow down.
loganmo, I don't believe that statute applies to what has been described here. It appears that the woman stopped at the red. Waited for the light to change and then with the Right of Way, pulled out into the crosswalk. Then the truck failed to yield the right of way and struck her.
More detailed information is certainly needed, but based on what we have now that seems to be what happened.
If they're both at the intersection and the light turns green, the driver most definitely has the obligation to make sure there are no pedestrians -- or cyclists -- before making a right. HE was in the wrong, period, end of story, finis, #30#. HE would have have done the same thing to a pedestrian, obviously. The only difference might have been that because the pedestrian moves more slowly they might have been able to jump back (and curse at the driver, as I've had to do so many times).
Nobody WANTS to hit somebody, let alone kill them.
Speak for yourself. Clearly, you've never been in the line for the Port-o-let at the chili cookoff.
Monkey - I do reserve an asterik if I'm ever driving a hummer and see Dick Cheney crossing the street...
I've got your blame, baby.
MPD.
I've NEVER seen an MPD officer give a cyclist a ticket, even for very aggressive, boneheaded antics.
And in 10 plus years I've seen MPD issue maybe half a dozen tickets to drivers.
I've seen drivers run red lights right in front of MPD officers.
After 40 years of this people figured out that it's pretty much a lawless environment when it comes to traffic in this town.
Wow, what a sad thing to happen. Of course I chose TODAY as the first day of my new bike commuting regimen.
Personally, I am with standrightwalkleft and engage in the same habits. When approaching an intersection, I take the lane and line up behind the license plate of the car in front of me - so surrounding cars are far more likely to a) see me and B) wait for me. If the intersection is too complex or just plain scary, I do use the crosswalk - but dismounted.
It's no guarantee, but (knock wood) has worked so far.
"when i was hit by a car in this same scenario, the car stopped, waited till i got up, then drove away when they saw me walking."
Actually, I thought you looked hot with your new limp, so I followed you home and pleasured yourself while looking through your window, secure in the knowledge that in your dazed condition I could probably overpower you.
"I'm sorry but any time a biker or pedestrian is struck by a vehicle that should be an automatic 5 years for the driver, "
Wow. Generalize much?
From what I'm reading, it sounds like the same accident could just as easily have happened to a walker or jogger. If the light turns green, a vehicle turning right has to expect that someone will be entering the crosswalk, and they shouldn't proceed unless it's clear the crosswalk is clear.
And while I think more driver or cyclist education would be great, what we need is more enforcement of the laws. Every day I see cars turn left from 15th onto K Street notwithstanding the fact that there's a red arrow and that pedestrians have a walk sign. If those drivers are never going to get tickets for doing that, they're never going to stop.
I do reserve an asterik if I'm ever driving a hummer and see Dick Cheney crossing the street...
Dick Cheney before he dicks you. Just hope he ain't got his shotgun on him. He'll shove it up your a** and pull the trigger until it go "click."
"Bicyclists are allowed use of the sidewalk anywhere north of Massachusetts"
?!! Why? Does this mean "north of Mass" all the way to Western? I can't believe anyone over the age of 12 is allowed to ride on a sidewalk. Why on earth is this allowed?
A garbage truck on the street during rush hour. Again, why? Some idiots would complain about noise at 3AM, so what? Residents of cities where trash is collected in the early morning seem to manage. It's even appreciated--less congestion and odor.
Why license cyclists? To make them sit through a presentation or two where they're shown photos and testimonials of incidents like this.
I had a lengthy response but I lost it. To summarize:
Jaynuze, you're wrong
1201.11 A person propelling a bicycle or operating a personal mobility device upon and
along a sidewalk or while crossing a roadway in a crosswalk shall have all the
rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances,
except that the bicyclist or personal mobility device operator must yield to
pedestrians on the sidewalk or crosswalk.
ihatemuseums, I'm familiar with those studies but find them unconvincing. Still, I don't ride and don't recommend riding, on the sidewalk except in a few situations.
I feel awful for the victim's family, as well as the driver of the truck. This is a bonafide tragedy. I will continue to bike to work, albeit with a renewed sense of vigilance about my surroundings.
RIP Alice Swanson
Thanks Washcycle! Where did you find the bike regs for DC? My buddy always carries a copy when he rides, I've been looking for one myself.
To the people who are/were planning to commute via bike: please do it. Awareness for cyclists can and will be acheived in numbers!
Jaynuze, WABA can give you a copy (by mail for $1 or free if you stop by the office).
They're on the interwebs here.
Sorry if I seemed terse. I was mad at the comment system for losing my comment.
By looking at the photos on the NBC 4 and the trajectory of the two parties involved you can speculate for hours and never come to a conclusion. …Ohh wait, looks like that’s what we are doing.
Driving defensively has saved my butt many, many times. I am not the best driver but I try to anticipate what others will do. When I'm on my two feet, I'm particularly wary of cars and bikes ... and sometimes my fellow walkers.
But if I were a bicyclist in this city I would without a doubt be ultra defensive. I don't care who has the Right of Way ... I'll lose.
I don't want my tombstone to read: R.I.P. - At Least I Had the Right of Way.
I have always been told that when on a bike it is best to behave as if you are invisible and take responsibility for your own safety in avoiding dangerous situations. Best to assume drivers don't see you when making turns or other moves that put you out of the line of sight. Of course maintaining a defensive posture won't prevent all accidents but it sure doesn't hurt.
No worries ... I'll just "lap" you at Haines to make up for it ;)
Thanks for the information ... I just printed it out.
@techne:
i'm not sure about this at all and maybe someone else can answer certainly, but maybe because the bike paths don't provide full connectivity throughout the district - particularly north of the golden triangle - and the thought is that sidewalks provide a refuge from busy streets? obviously it turned out to be a tragedy in this case.
@techne:
What Vaughan just said.
Also, because of the lack of bike lanes in much of the city, there are certain roads that are simply too dangerous to ride on due to lack of space and aggressive driving during certain hours of the day. When I'm commuting down 16th between Euclid and W during morning rush hour, it's far safer for me to bike on the nearly empty sidewalk than on a road where the cars are riding in high volume less than a foot from the curb.
Most bikers ride on the road most of the time, but there are certain times it's simply safer to hit the sidewalk. That some bikers don't yield to pedestrians and make a nuisance of themselves when they choose to get on the sidewalk isn't my fault. My aim on the occasions when I'm not on the road is to make sure that no pedestrian has to alter their speed or path a single inch because of my presence there. Iit means a slower trip for me, but that's the hit I take for being off the road.
Bicycles coexisting on the sidewalk with pedestrians isn't any different from cars and bikes coexisting on the road, and everyone coexisting at the crossings. As long as everyone is sensible and defensive and aware of their surroundings, everyone's happy. All the vitriol that gets spouted on these threads is a direct result of a minority of drivers, a minority of bikers, and a minority of pedestrians who insist on getting around like self-centered assholes.
If people could manage to have the critical thinking ability not to make generalizations based on the most visible minorities of the driver/biker/walker groups, maybe these threads wouldn't devolve into pointless bitching and name calling.
amen, ian. i'm guilty of enough of the bitching myself, for sure.
As long as everyone is sensible and defensive and aware of their surroundings, everyone's happy.
Which goes a long way towards explaining why this city is so f***ing sad.
All the vitriol that gets spouted on these threads is a direct result of a minority of drivers, a minority of bikers, and a minority of pedestrians who insist on getting around like self-centered assholes.
Why you gotta be hatin' on minorities? Don't bring your hate crimes around here! HATE CRIME!
[blows rape whistle]
@techne: DC regulations prohibit trash trucks from operating before 7 am and after 9 pm. So they have no choice but to operate during workday hours.
Very tragic accident.
It would be the height of overreaction to use this accident to mandate that trash trucks can begin working early-ass morning and late at night.
I expect such legislation within the week.
so much blame is being thrown around, it's probably both people's fault, it might be no one's fault, what I am struck by isn't what laws need to be enforced or who should be blamed, it's just the sadness of having a 22 year old girl die while riding her bike in the morning. RIP Alice....
Christ, you just f***ing know Jim Graham is drafting "The Protection of Bicyclists and Pedestrians from Garbage Trucks Making Right Turns During Working Hours Act of 2008."
If my gut wasn't empty, I'd vomit with rage.
just this past weekend i witnessed a cyclist run a red light and hit a moving car. then i was myself almost run over by a trash truck that did not stop before turning right into my crosswalk.
we all need to be AWARE of what we are doing. slow down...
I don't give a crap what anyone thinks they are entitled to, in the end, a walker/biker is just a piece of flesh and a car/truck/bus is a big pile of steel and glass. Even if you have the right of way, pay attention. There are a lot of morons driving around and shit happens.
When I'm commuting down 16th between Euclid and W during morning rush hour, it's far safer for me to bike on the nearly empty sidewalk than on a road where the cars are riding in high volume less than a foot from the curb.
That will get you hit. That's exactly what happened to the girl. She was on the sidewalk (because driving in the street is "dangerous") and ended up getting crushed while in the sidewalk by the right-turning truck.
Take the lane. It's better to be visible and piss some folks off than be invisible and get killed.
I agree with ibc. Take as much of the lane as you need to be safe. Let people pass where you can, but don't ride so far to the side that a opening door or one of our many broken curbs could catch you.
Not many cyclists get hit from behind. It's the cross-directional traffic that seems to cause must of the problems.
yep, they'll honk at you from behind, then they'll speed past and yell racist, homophobic, vile filth at you, but at least you'll be alive. use the lane. forget the haters.
First, for Alice:
It seems only the good die young.
I didn't know you but from what I've read
I'm pretty sure I miss you.
our loss, your gain because
I am certain that you are somewhere better now
~~~~
WHAZZUP - I think I agree with what you said more that anything else said here.
If you don't read this whole thread please read what WHAZZUP said. And write it down somewhere . . .
To further it . . .
Motorized vehicles have significant power to maim or kill another person. No rule or regulation is a valid excuse to do that. You are responsible for you machine and you must be in control to prevent an accident. When there is an accident, perhaps not in this case, but most often both sides failed to do this. [she was in a crosswalk]
The future is at hand.
May we all learn from this.
I'm pretty sure this trash truck was probably carrying trash from at least one bar.
Jim Graham should really insist on the closing of all bars.
Everyone would benefit from reading the WABA's "Safe Bicycling in the Washington Area" booklet. It's 33 pages and is VERY informative.
I highly recommend that both cyclists and motorists pick one up or review it here:
http://www.waba.org/areabiking/safecycling/
It's a SHARED responsibility and we all need to do our best to keep each other alive and safe.
Without witnesses, it's really impossible to say who's at fault here. Bikes stop faster than big-ass trucks, though (not that I know what this implies).
This is a tragedy, of course, but I wouldn't neccessarily assume without knowing sufficient detail that it was the driver's fault. Cyclists in this city are pretty irresponsible, too. I used to walk to work from Dupont to Georgetown with my headphones on, but recently I stopped doing it because I have to always listen carefully who's behind me because the cyclists in the Rose Park are just insane. I have nearly been struck by a couple in the past months so I have become rather paranoid about it and have to turn around from time to time to make sure there's no cyclists behind me. Bikes are as dangerous as trucks and other motor vehicle if not more dangerous.
I couldn't agree with Monkeyrotica more. We now know, after extensive research that cars, pedestrians, cyclists and speed don't always mix well and often result in death, blood leakage, and/or dented vehicles, especially when you add a dash of NPA (not paying attention). Maybe, in order to preserve human life we should stop doing everything, or perhaps we shouldn't allow stupid people to breed.