[FairHamilton]

I thought I'd start this thread mostly because I bike, but also because I think it's an activity (sport) that is gaining popularity and greater mindshare in many communities.

I hope the thread can be a spot to discuss new biking initiatives, issues, accidents (Jon Dalton), and more.

Unfortunately, I'm going to start the thread with a serious accident. Accidents, and preventing them, should be a primary concern for any of us who take to the road and share the roadway with cars.

http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/488039

December 29, 2008
Emma Reilly
The Hamilton Spectator
(Dec 29, 2008)
A 30-year-old man is in hospital with serious head injuries after a hit-and-run early yesterday .

The man, whose name has not been released, was struck while riding his bike along Main Street East about 2:15 a.m.

Police said he underwent emergency surgery.

"The prognosis is not good. He's in extremely critical condition," said Detective Constable Bob Blankstein.

A 23-year old Hamilton man is facing charges of impaired driving causing bodily harm and failing to remain at the scene.

Police say the accused was driving quickly along Main Street when he made a lane change near Leinster Avenue and struck the cyclist.

He failed to stop and continued driving home, where he called police to report the accident, Blankstein said. Though it rained earlier in the evening, police say the weather was not a factor in the crash.

The driver appeared in court for a bail hearing yesterday.

If the injured cyclist dies from his injuries, the 23-year-old's charges will be upgraded to impaired driving causing death, Blankstein said.

The cyclist's injuries were severe because he was not wearing a helmet, Blankstein said.

He also did not have any lighting or reflective equipment.

His brand-new mountain bike, still had the price tag attached.

Blankstein is asking anyone who witnessed the crash to contact him at 905-546-4755 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

[oldcoote]

Well, that sucks. 2 lives ruined. Bad decisions on both sides.

Curious. What if the cyclist was under the influence at the time? Could he not be found negligent as well?

[flar]

A friend of mine got pulled over on his bike. They just fined him for being drunk in public but I think they could have nailed him for drunk driving.

[FairHamilton]

It is a shame, but at least the car driver had the decency (conscience) to own up to what happened even if it was after the fact.

Many others never do own up and take responsibilities for their actions, http://www.thespec.com/article/397338.

[bornagainbiking]

Sorry to see this happen especially during the holiday.
I too bike in better weather and ride a similar route, and being a shift worker at somewhat odd hours.
In the winter I drive this area daily and see some very strange sights.
If you ride a bike there should be some level of common sense, too often I see people dressed like Johnnie Cash riding all over the road with MP3 players and half the time no helmet and a hoodie.
To prodect myself from becoming a cycling statistic and avoid drivers with some level of skill, I dress in bright clothes, wear a good helmet and have several instruments of illumination front and rear (flashing no less). So far so good and that includes 4 a.m. and 11 p.m. trips.
So there are some questions here just to satisfy my cynical nature, Riding at 2 a.m. on a rainy night dressed in dark clothes and maybe no light. Sound like stacking the deck in reverse. Now consider the area I was confronted at 5 a.m. while buying milk for breakfast Main and Springer ? by a lady of the night in the 7-11 who was caught trying to lure a cab driver onto a side street where her male counterpart was going to roll him.
I see the night people near there.
I am really curious about the price tag on the bike, could it be a christmas present, but for who....... Just might be warm to the touch?:shrug:
As mentioned this was a shame but so many factors with poor judgement. That is why it was an accident could have been prevented.
Best wishes on a quick recovery to the cyclist.

[SteelTown]

I know someone that got arrested for drunk driving on a bike. Went to jail overnight.

[FairHamilton]

To prodect myself from becoming a cycling statistic and avoid drivers with some level of skill, I dress in bright clothes, wear a good helmet and have several instruments of illumination front and rear (flashing no less). So far so good and that includes 4 a.m. and 11 p.m. trips.

Like you I try to make myself as visible at possible with both front and back illumination. I alway use a flashing light on the front (night and even during the day), but have been thinking a lot lately about a flashing red light on the rear.

I've now decided flashing during the day, and solid at night for the rear red light.

Here's my reasoning. They say one of the reasons people hit police cruisers parked on the shoulder of the highway at night is they stare at the flashing lights, and ultimately steer to where they are looking.

Now would the same hold true of a small flashing bike light? I don't know the answer, but I'll guess yes it could happen. So, I reason that all I need is a red light so car drivers notice that I'm there, and then steer around me with no staring at the small flashing red light.

Any comments/thoughts?

[bornagainbiking]

I ride a dark not well lite route (Lawrence bike lane mostly)
For the front a bright 5 bulb LED solid white light to see the road and
for the rear a flashing (draw attention to em) 6 LED alternating pattern light.
Both good quality.
I plan on an additional red flasher for my back pack.
I also have a new Bell Helmet with a built-in rechargeable light one bulb white on the front and a very bright one bulb red to the rear.
So remember Kids
"Be safe-Be seen"

[FairHamilton]

"Be safe-Be seen"

That's why I use a front flasher during the day.

My biggest paranoia during the day is being 'doored', and I figure that a flashing light will make me more visible when someone does a quick mirror or shoulder check before opening their door.

I've also found that using a front flasher on trails makes pedestrians who are walking 4 or 5 abreast on the pathway move out of my way.

For the longest time I'd ride on trails in the city (Toronto and Hamilton) and when I was riding towards people they would stare right at me but wouldn't move so much as an inch. It was like they were in a trance. So, I started putting my front flasher on while riding the trail, and low and behold they move out of my way like there's no tomorrow.

Human nature is weird, but interesting.

[adam]

Well, that sucks. 2 lives ruined. Bad decisions on both sides.

Curious. What if the cyclist was under the influence at the time? Could he not be found negligent as well?

The car changed lanes at a high speed and hit the cyclist from behind. I'm not sure how the cyclist could be found at fault or could have avoided this from happening... explain? There is no excuse for lack of a bike lane down this major route. The road is certainly wide enough.

[FairHamilton]

The car changed lanes at a high speed and hit the cyclist from behind. I'm not sure how the cyclist could be found at fault or could have avoided this from happening... explain? There is no excuse for lack of a bike lane down this major route. The road is certainly wide enough.

From the article;
The cyclist's injuries were severe because he was not wearing a helmet, Blankstein said.

He also did not have any lighting or reflective equipment.

While I will not defend a driver charged with impaired driving who was involved, we as cyclists need to take every precaution to ensure our safety.

Visibility for cyclists is imperative, for the same reason cars have tail-lights and daytime running lights. Helmets are also a necessary safety device for protecting ones head from injury, same as a seat belt in a car is a necessary safety device.

[oldcoote]

The car changed lanes at a high speed and hit the cyclist from behind. I'm not sure how the cyclist could be found at fault or could have avoided this from happening... explain? There is no excuse for lack of a bike lane down this major route. The road is certainly wide enough.

I'm not sure reflective gear and lights would have prevented this tragedy, but I hope it would have. And not wearing a helmet is plain stupid imo.

[adam]

I don't bike in the winter, and only seldom at night. But I wouldn't have the guts to ride on Main or King at nighttime on the road.

Even with a helmet and lights, the few times I've gone down Main or King at night, I've taken the sidewalk and I'd strongly recommend it to anyone riding at night. There are too many drivers who disobey the law by going above the speed limit and/or drive impaired.

[FairHamilton]

Even with a helmet and lights, the few times I've gone down Main or King at night, I've taken the sidewalk and I'd strongly recommend it to anyone riding at night. There are too many drivers who disobey the law by going above the speed limit and/or drive impaired.

And we pedestrians who wear no helmets to protect our heads in a fall, thank-you for riding on the sideWALK (please take note of the last 4 letters in that word)

If you can't handle King or Main please use a less busy alternate. Examples of less busy alternates are Dunsmure, Stinson, Young, Charlton, Jackson, Cumberland, Delaware, Maplewood, Lawrence, or any one of many others that run parallel to King and Main.

[FairHamilton]

And we pedestrians who wear no helmets to protect our heads in a fall, thank-you for riding on the sideWALK (please take note of the last 4 letters in that word)

Coincidentally, on my lunchtime walk today I was buzzed from behind by a cyclist (who was wearing a helmet) on a pathway at Victoria Memorial Square (Toronto), http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=43.641759,-79.401412&spn=0.007454,0.013733&t=h&z=16.

No bell, no announcement, just a whoosh past my elbow at a high rate of speed.

[bornagainbiking]

I drive and I ride a bike. I don't understand why everything reverts back to the evils of autos and the sins of the major design of traffic direction (one way streets). I agree that traffic is way too fast on Main (try getting across the 5 lanes of Main at Ferguson during rush hour.
But any issue it is the driver's fault (in this case the guy was impaired) but even if he did a lane change he didn't see the guy wearing dark clothes, at 2:15 a.m. with no helmet or light. Also a dark damp night. I don't expect bikes at that hour.
I agree to stick to the better bike friendly routes, Maplewood, Cumberland, Stinton and either Charlton or Hunter.
Do you really think a bike lane would work on King or Main (consider left and right turn lanes).
I would suggest Cannon or Wilson, with less traffic.

[adam]

Cyclists and now e-bikes are growing in numbers and drivers just have to slow down and be more aware of what's going on around them. Cyclists have every right to be downtown and Main/King have many destinations that require travel along them.

If you want to see less cyclists on the sidewalk, you have to accomodate for them on the road. This could be as simple as making a bus/carpool/bike lane or a low speed lane. The current setup of Main and King makes no effort to accomodate multi-modal transportation.

[Millstone]

Those e-bikes are the biggest joke. They're a vehicle and should be licenced as such.

[coalminecanary]

I've now decided flashing during the day, and solid at night for the rear red light.


I believe the traffic act officially calls for flashing rear. My thoughts are that flashing is more visible and will get you noticed from a greater distance, reducing the chance of an accident.

People stare at police cars for other reasons than just the flashing lights - tey wwant to know who is getting in trouble and for what!

...I've taken the sidewalk and I'd strongly recommend it to anyone riding at night.

I'm sorry but this is very bad advice! Being hit from behind is one of the least common bike/car interactions. Being hit from the side at an intersection - either by a car approaching from a side street or by a turning vehicle - is much more common (and quite possibly more dangerous).

You are putting yourself at a much greater risk by riding on the sidewalk. Drivers approaching from the side street do not expect anyone coming at that speed along the sidewalk, so if they do not see pedestrians withing 10-20 feet of the intersection, they are unlikely to come to a coplete stop behind the crosswalk - when you zip in at 20km/h unexpected, this is when you'll get hit.

Similarly, cars turning from the street you are travelling on are much more likely to turn into you because they might not have seen you on the sidewalk since they are not programmed to be looking for fast moving sidewalk traffic.

The same applies to motorized scooters, whose operators would be very smart to slow down to pedestrian speed at intersections (and for politeness, whenever there are others sharing the sidewalk with them).

I drive and I ride a bike. I don't understand why everything reverts back to the evils of autos and the sins of the major design of traffic direction (one way streets). ...Do you really think a bike lane would work on King or Main (consider left and right turn lanes).
I would suggest Cannon or Wilson, with less traffic.

It's not about the evils of the auto, but it IS about traffic design. We have designed all aspects of our traffic system specifically to funnel cars safely through the system while avoiding physical interaction. Unfortunately, the system only accommodates cars and (barely) pedestrians. We live in a more complicated world and we've closed the doors to many alternative transportation devices simply because our system is physically designed to shut them out. This includes bikes, which must find a place in a traffic system that has no place for them.

Yes a bike lane could work on Main. It would work on every street. Cars who are turning will have to be patient when crossing the bike lane.


Ideally, the lane would be physically separated, and crossing it at a light means cars go over a small bump:
http://www.streetsblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/03_26/paris_bikelane.jpg

[FairHamilton]

I believe the traffic act officially calls for flashing rear. My thoughts are that flashing is more visible and will get you noticed from a greater distance, reducing the chance of an accident.

Found this on Mac's website, but if I have time I'll investigate further to see if it's correct. Nothing about flashing. Not even that a light is required by law, only a reflector.

Lights - Your bike must have a white front light and a red rear light or reflector if you ride between 1 /2 hour before sunset and 1 /2 hour after sunrise. (HTA 62)

http://act.mcmaster.ca/cycling/rulesandregs.htm

I didn't know about reflective tape on the wheels mentioned, and I removed (broke) the reflectors on my original off-road tires long ago, and my road tires never came with reflectors. I'll replace them prior to the 2009 riding season.

People stare at police cars for other reasons than just the flashing lights - tey wwant to know who is getting in trouble and for what!

That makes perfect sense, though I'm still undecided on best course of action on rear light at night.

[FairHamilton]

From the Ontario Highway Traffic Act;

http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90h08_e.htm

Motor assisted bicycles, bicycles and tricycles, lights on, etc.

(17) When on a highway at any time from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres or less, every motor assisted bicycle, bicycle or tricycle shall carry on the front thereof a lighted lamp displaying a white or amber light and on the rear thereof a lighted lamp displaying a red light or a reflector approved by the Ministry, and in addition there shall be placed on the front forks thereof white reflective material, and on the rear thereof red reflective material covering a surface of not less than 250 millimetres in length and 25 millimetres in width. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 62 (17).

Penalty

(18) Every person who contravenes subsection (17) is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $20. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 62 (18).

[adam]

My road bike has a flashing red light at the back, and reflective tape on my rear forks and helmet.





Those e-bikes are the biggest joke. They're a vehicle and should be licenced as such.
They go a maximum speed of 30km/h. Most road bicycles also go around 30km/h. So they are just as fast as bicycles but no faster.
What is a real joke is that electric cars are designed in Toronto but not allowed on Ontario roads while they are legal in Quebec and BC. There are also electric bikes that go 60km/h+ but not available to drive legally here. That's the real joke.

[Millstone]

on conviction is liable to a fine of not more than $20oh noes

[FairHamilton]

Those e-bikes are the biggest joke. They're a vehicle and should be licenced as such.

Agreed. All motorized vehicles should be licensed and drivers should be licensed as well.