Struck by SUV this evening on the Pike at Walter Reed (Arlington)

[elbows]

Tonight at about 7:45 I was riding on milled pavement for one block on the Pike so that I could scoot into the “damned anyway you try to get there” bikeshare station in front of Rite Aid when my bikeshare bike was hit as someone passed me quickly to make the light. Given how uneven the milled pavement was there (middle of a pavement project) and the amount of groceries I was carrying, I really thought I was going down, but I held on, probably in no small part to it being a CaBi bike. A driver asked me if I was ok (physically, I was).

Called the non-emergency number and asked to make a report.

I’ve asked ACPD to patrol for close passing on the Pike before so I was mainly interested in filing a report on that score. The policeman who came told me that they had found the records for the guy who hit me and would follow up with him. I was more interested in a record of it to bolster the case for cycling infrastructure and enforcement for close passing than in nailing the guy who hit me, but anyway.

[Judd]

I’m sorry that you got hit and glad that you managed to stay upright. That intersection sucks for biking particularly if you need to turn.

I’ve been buzzed by a couple of total assholes on the Pike including a dummy that was a Papa John’s driver. I called the store and provided the plate number and informed them of how much revenue they’d lose if one of their drivers ran over me.

[chris_s]

Care to guess how many tickets Arlington PD issued for violations of the 3′ passing law in the first 18 months after it was passed?

Zero.

[scoot]

Glad to hear that the bikeshare tank design helped you avoid a fall this evening. And thank you for filing a report to help build a case for a better cycling experience on the Pike. I don’t use that station much anymore now that they installed one two blocks north at 8th Street, but it is definitely a bit of a hassle accessing it from either of those two roads, especially if you have to make a left turn.

You should also notify Capital Bikeshare of the incident if you haven’t already.

From CaBi’s FAQ:

What should I do if I crash my bike?

If you are injured, call 911 immediately. You should also call the police precinct where the crash took place and file a report with an officer to make sure that all important information is documented.

Within 24 hours of the incident, you must also notify Capital Bikeshare of the facts of the crash by calling Customer Service at 877-430-2453 and speaking with a representative. We will provide you with a Crash Report to fill out.

The bike remains your responsibility until it has been properly locked at a dock or handed over to a Capital Bikeshare representative. If you aren’t able to dock your bike, please call Customer Service and we will send someone over to help you.

[jrenaut]

It’s really amazing how insignificant people seem to think it is to crash their giant metal box into another human being.

[huskerdont]

@jrenaut 158847 wrote:

It’s really amazing how insignificant people seem to think it is to crash their giant metal box into another human being.

I’m amazed at that as well, but I’m more amazed at how often drivers seem to be angry at the person they hit or almost hit.

[jrenaut]

@huskerdont 158851 wrote:

I’m amazed at that as well, but I’m more amazed at how often drivers seem to be angry at the person they hit or almost hit.

We are all amazing when we drive, I agree.

[Tim Kelley]

@chris_s 158843 wrote:

Care to guess how many tickets Arlington PD issued for violations of the 3′ passing law in the first 18 months after it was passed?

Zero.

FYI–the numbers I’ve seen for the Safe Bicycling Initiative this year indicate that for the week of 3/27 there were two summons written and one warning given for violation of the 3′ passing law.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@Tim Kelley 158855 wrote:

FYI–the numbers I’ve seen for the Safe Bicycling Initiative this year indicate that for the week of 3/27 there were two summons written and one warning given for violation of the 3′ passing law.

Arlington drivers must be really outstanding and well-behaved.

[dbb]

@ShawnoftheDread 158876 wrote:

Arlington drivers must be really outstanding and well-behaved.

We are the Lake Wobegon of the DMV, where all of our drivers are above average.

[OneEighth]

@ShawnoftheDread 158876 wrote:

Arlington drivers must be really outstanding and well-behaved.

One would rather not have the dirty, sweaty cyclists scratch one’s BMW. Hence the strict adherence to the 3 foot rule.

[ginacico]

@huskerdont 158851 wrote:

I’m amazed at that as well, but I’m more amazed at how often drivers seem to be angry at the person they hit or almost hit.

I think that’s a fear response, manifesting inappropriately.

In Europe where the negligence laws are different and responsibility almost always lands on the driver (opposite of the U.S.), it might actually be anger.

[Dachs6]

@ginacico 158888 wrote:

In Europe where the negligence laws are different and responsibility almost always lands on the driver (opposite of the U.S.), it might actually be anger.

The anger in Europe (or Germany, which is about all I can personally comment on) seems to precede the collision. After, it is still fear…the penalties can be quite severe if the motorist is found at fault, even partially (and, often striking a cyclist makes it quite clear that the 1,5m passing clearance was not given, so there is a degree of near automatic culpability). Regardless, it seems, in my experience that it take me a year to rack of the same number of close calls in Germany that I can rack up riding in this area in one month.

[dasgeh]

@Tim Kelley 158855 wrote:

FYI–the numbers I’ve seen for the Safe Bicycling Initiative this year indicate that for the week of 3/27 there were two summons written and one warning given for violation of the 3′ passing law.

Maybe asking about it helps.

[Author]

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