Bad Weekend for Bicyclists in West Michigan

[XLFD]

Three bicycle accidents happened over the weekend in Western Michigan.  All three are instructive to both bicyclists and motorists.  In reverse chronological order: 

 

The first happened going across US 31 in Holland at the Riley intersection (if you head along Lake Michigan to get to points west of the state, you are probably familiar with it), a bad accident happened:  "Hilton and two friends were riding bicycles together and had the right of way when they crossed U.S. 31 at Riley.  When Hilton walked back to the road to pick up his water bottle, however, the light had turned green for northbound U.S. 31 traffic."   Holland Twp. 6-11

 

A water bottle worth a couple bucks should not cause you to run into traffic against the rules where you can lose your health or life.  I wish Hilton good luck.

 

The second happened after dark, the rider was riding without lights, and got hit at an intersection in Hopkin's Twp.  "A man was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries after being hit by a car while riding his bike in Allegan County. It happened around 10:45 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of 135th Avenue and 16th Street in Hopkins Township."  Hopkin's Township 6-10

 

Riding after dark without reflective clothing or lights (which are mandated by law) aren't usually what gets you killed at night on your bicycle.  Motorists run into riders using both regularly.  The idea that will keep you out of intensive care or the morgue is riding ultra-defensively.  That is, presume you are invisible to cars even if you're lit up more than Lady Gaga.  Better yet, presume they are out to run you over and adjust your riding accordingly.  Use roads with the least traffic and be prepared to get off the road when you see those blinding headlights in front or behind you and do so when they get close.  

 

The third and last is the most heartbreaking one.  In Hastings, a rider preparing for the Tour de Cure, was hit when she was off the road on the shoulder.  "Deputies say a car was being driven south on County Route 33 when it left the road and made contact with a bicycle."  Hastings 6-9

                              Mary Ann Nolan

It was daytime, she was off the road, a professional cyclist, but a car left the roadway and struck her from behind.  The sad thing here is that there has been no charges (yet-- or ever?) on the motorist.  In such a situation, I can't imagine not having some minimal criminal charges placed on the motorist.  But this is common when BMPs are hit by motorists, because there are no laws that really protect the vulnerable users of the road.  You can drive over either of them, while violating the law, and still get away with the sympathy of the law and the media and the public in general.  That's not right.

 

And when I see such stories as the last, it always makes me wonder about stories like the first two, and whether we are being given the full truth.  After all, if three bicyclists passed in front of me at a stop, and one dropped his water bottle, I think I would notice the situation enough to not run into him if he incautiously darted back out to get it.  And question whether the motorist who ran into the 'night-rider', did something unexpected so as to hit the cyclist.  This should not absolve either of their own bone-headed actions in the first place, but let's not always presume that only one party can be at fault in an accident.

[XLFD]

Here's another news story that just happened earlier tonight involving three young pedestrians and a dog in Newaygo County near Grant.  http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/214918/14/UPDATE-3-children-inju...

This is one of those incidents where both parties are at fault.  The children were travelling west, just like the car, on the road.  One thing you need to drill into your kids' mind is that you walk against traffic, and be ready to bail off the road if you think the motorist doesn't see you.  It is also the law for pedestrians to walk against traffic (i.e. on the left side of the road).  Even so, since he hit all three kids and the dog, I have to believe there is some blame for the motorist for not exercising due caution.