North Carolina Cyclist Mayhem

[S. Arlington Observer]

An example of why some of us don’t feel comfortable “taking the lane.” Apparently the cyclists did everything right but the motorist was in a hurry.

WOMAN WHO HIT 4 CYCLISTS NEAR ANGIER CHARGED

http://abc11.com/news/woman-who-hit-4-cyclists-charged/1218302/

The picture is just heart breaking.

[Tania]

I can’t access that link but the article I read yesterday said that the cyclists were riding single file and as far right as possible – so they were NOT taking the lane unless I misunderstand what that means.

But seriously, how do you hit all four of them? (Ok ANY of them?)

[S. Arlington Observer]

@Tania 135609 wrote:

I can’t access that link but the article I read yesterday said that the cyclists were riding single file and as far right as possible – so they were NOT taking the lane unless I misunderstand what that means.

But seriously, how do you hit all four of them? (Ok ANY of them?)

I think you are right. They may have been better to be in the center of the lane. But I suspect she would have tried to pass them with the same result. In other articles the cyclists dispute that another car was coming. And there is this:

ANGIER, N.C. – The woman who was behind the wheel of a vehicle that hit four bicyclists in Johnston County Saturday was on probation for felony drug charges, records show.

Donnie Marie Williams was sentenced to more than five years probation in September 2013 on multiple felony drug charges, including possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a Schedule II substance.

I think my comment should have been “don’t like to ride without an actual bike lane” rather than “don’t like to take the lane.” Single file or in the lane, I at least feel better when there is a designated space for me. Vehicles certainly don’t recognize the regular lane as such a space.

[jabberwocky]

From the pic, its a narrow road with no shoulder. Unless they were in the gravel, they were “taking the lane” because they would have to be in the normal travel lane. Probably toward the right of it, but still, there wouldn’t be room for a car to pass with oncoming traffic no matter what.

I’ve had situations where people attempted to pass where they absolutely shouldn’t (blind corner, rise in the road, whatever) and had to swerve back because of an oncoming car. I think a lot of people attempt the pass with almost zero thought, and then find themselves in a situation where they have to swerve back into the cyclist they are trying to pass or risk a head on collision. A surprising number actually risk the head on collision, actually.

[huskerdont]

I always assumed “taking the lane” meant taking enough of it so that no one could pass in the same lane. If they were all the way to the right, that wouldn’t be taking the lane per my understanding.

For instance, I took the entire lane on Glebe down to Chain Bridge once and someone used the opposite lane to pass, then had to veer in toward me because of oncoming traffic. That is all on that driver. This morning, I quickly without thinking too well moved around a parked car in Georgetown and stupidly stayed in the door zone; a Lexus passed me within inches. That was a mutual fault situation that I could have avoided by taking the lane.

That’s my understanding of the term anyway. Don’t mind hearing if I misunderstood it.

[Tania]

hd – that’s my understanding too although I agree with S. Arlington Observer that she likely would have tried to pass regardless.

And I’ve seen people do what jabberwocky has described…while riding behind jabberwocky in a single file.

There’s something about being in a car that makes some people do stupid things.

[bobco85]

This kind of crash always aggravates me due to the sheer stupidity of the driver (I hope it’s stupidity, just applying Hanlon’s razor here). Same goes for witnessing or nearly being the victim of cyclists/joggers trying to pass at or before blind curves on trails. (Speaking from my pulpit): If you can’t see what’s ahead, don’t try to pass someone!

@huskerdont 135617 wrote:

I always assumed “taking the lane” meant taking enough of it so that no one could pass in the same lane. If they were all the way to the right, that wouldn’t be taking the lane per my understanding.

For instance, I took the entire lane on Glebe down to Chain Bridge once and someone used the opposite lane to pass, then had to veer in toward me because of oncoming traffic. That is all on that driver. This morning, I quickly without thinking too well moved around a parked car in Georgetown and stupidly stayed in the door zone; a Lexus passed me within inches. That was a mutual fault situation that I could have avoided by taking the lane.

That’s my understanding of the term anyway. Don’t mind hearing if I misunderstood it.

huskerdont, I think you have the right understanding of taking the lane. A vehicle cannot stay in the same lane to pass if the cyclist is taking the lane. I can emphasize with S. Arlington Observer that it can be difficult/uncomfortable to take the lane when you are not sure your space will be respected in the lane and that good bike infrastructure can really help in those situations. In your situation, however, it would not be mutual fault because the driver also failed to obey the 3 foot passing law when they passed you within inches.

I understand you feel somewhat responsible, but you can only do so much to control the situation as the driver ultimately made the unsafe maneuver. (I emphasized this text because I have to sometimes tell this to myself after a close call)

[Crickey7]

Based on the comments in the story, the only solution to bad drivers causing collisions with cyclists is to remove cyclists. Yeah, that’s kinda like blaming the telephone pole you ran into.

[jabberwocky]

@Tania 135619 wrote:

There’s something about being in a car that makes some people do stupid things.

The reality is that a lot of people are just really stupid, and society happily gives them drivers licenses anyway. :p

[OneEighth]

@jabberwocky 135626 wrote:

The reality is that a lot of people are just really stupid, and society happily gives them drivers licenses anyway. :p

Rummaging for my George Carlin quote…

[GovernorSilver]

@S. Arlington Observer 135613 wrote:

ANGIER, N.C. – The woman who was behind the wheel of a vehicle that hit four bicyclists in Johnston County Saturday was on probation for felony drug charges, records show.

Donnie Marie Williams was sentenced to more than five years probation in September 2013 on multiple felony drug charges, including possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a Schedule II substance.

There you go.

No matter how safe your cycling practices are, there’s no defense against a drug-addled driver.

I’m still going ride again when I’m able to, but sadly, no lights, reflective gear, air horns, etc. can account for every drunk and high driver out there.

[Steve O]

Looking at the news coverage, photos and map, it doesn’t entirely add up.

First, I can’t find a location anywhere on that road in street view that matches the photo.
Pictures of the car show a shattered windshield on the passenger side, which is more consistent with being struck directly from behind than swerved into.
One of the riders said he does not recall an oncoming car.

These kinds of stories make me both sad and angry.

In terms of responsibility, it’s been discussed before, but bears repeating: the operator of the 3000-pound missile bears extraordinary responsibility to other, and particularly to vulnerable, road users. It is not equal. If you have the power to maim and kill, that power should come with higher levels of responsibility.

Hence, that power, when misused, should bear higher levels of consequence. She should be charged with as much as the law allows.

[bentbike33]

@Tania 135619 wrote:

There’s something about being in a car that makes some people do stupid things.

It is explained in a simple formula:

Effective IQ = Driver IQ / GVW.

GVW = Gross Vehicle Weight

[Steve O]

@bentbike33 135638 wrote:

It is explained in a simple formula:

Effective IQ = Driver IQ / GVW.

GVW = Gross Vehicle Weight

I love how that works with us bicyclists. It makes us really, really smart in comparison.

Effective IQ for DC-area cyclist: 150/25 = 6
Effective IQ for Maryland SUV driver: 95/4500 = 0.02

[DismalScientist]

Well, I certainly appreciated the high speed pass on the 14th Street Bridge by two Freds on their fancy road bikes with brifters this morning. The oncoming pedestrian, not so much.

[Author]

Posts