Woman Hit by Cyclist on Four Mile Run

[off2ride]

Just like MCL I too use a bell on my beater. It’s really easy to spot if the ped heard the “ding” but if they’re being stupid then they’re gonna get a “HEY” or something else. Perhaps the trail needs to be wider or a divide it for pedestrian use only.

[mstone]

@MCL1981 21888 wrote:

From the sounds of it, the cyclist was not acting recklessly and was in fact being responsible. It is just a terrible accident that probably could not have been prevented (other than using a bell instead). The speed of the cyclist could have been 10, 15, or 20 and the result would have been the same. You can not stop a bike going down a hill in that short amount of time and even a low speed hit is going to knock down a 70yr old woman.

I agree about the bell. I’ll quibble about the speed. If you’re on a steep hill with a pedestrian present, and poor sightlines, 20 is too fast, 15 is too fast, and 10 may be too fast. If you lay on the brakes you can easily slide down the hill at 5 or 6 or 8. This is no different from what we think about cars speeding on roads, and the same advice about “you’ll get there eventually” applies.

[sjclaeys]

The ArlNow has been updated to report that the woman died from her injuries. The report also says that she turned into the cyclist’s path. As far as rules of the MUP’s, I think that a good theme is that they are neither a road, nor a sidewalk. They are not a road, so cyclists need to be in more control of their speed and aware of other trail users. They are also not a sidewalk, so pedestrians need to be more aware of their surroundings, keep to the right and look behind before turning.

[MCL1981]

Wow, this is terrible. While this appears to be in no way the cyclist’s fault, I can’t imagine how devastating this must be for him. Akin to hitting someone with your car when they just darted out right in front of you. Nothing you can do, not your fault, and still “I killer her” is the only thing he can feel right now. Clearly devastating for the woman’s family as well. When was the last time someone was killed on a MUP, not at a road crossing or by medical condition?

I hate to even bring this up, but I’m sure I’m not the only one thinking it. There is a herd of attorneys converging on their home seeing dollar signs now. They’ll convince the grieving family that this cyclist is an evil doer that must be held accountable for not dematerializing before hitting her.

[KLizotte]

I’m not advocating this but it appears that if he hadn’t said anything and just went by her, all would have been ok. It appears (from initial news reports) that she moved into his path when he made the call.

Makes me realize what a weird position cyclists are in since we don’t carry insurance like drivers do for personal injury.

[MCL1981]

Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Had he not said anything and she just randomly pulled a Crazy Ivan, the cyclist would be vilified as reckless and selfish.

So once again, everyone should keep their mouths shut and
GET A BELL

[PotomacCyclist]

Regardless of who was at fault and what happened, the woman passed away overnight. Very sad to hear.

[Dirt]

@MCL1981 21913 wrote:

So once again, everyone should keep their mouths shut and
GET A BELL

A bell isn’t a universal solution. I used one for years and have come to the conclusion that I get much fewer crazy Ivans (pedestrians turning into me) by calling out early and often.

Slowing down is a great idea.

[MCL1981]

Nothing will be universal unfortunately. Except maybe staying home in bed. But given that the ding is louder, travels further (longer range), and does not have a questionable meaning, I think it is more effective than the short notice verbalization.

[Dirt]

@MCL1981 21919 wrote:

But given that the ding is louder, travels further (longer range), and does not have a questionable meaning, I think it is more effective than the short notice verbalization.

Totally agree with you there. Anyone who knows me realizes that I dont do short verbalizations.

Rock on!

[Tim Kelley]

@Dirt 21917 wrote:

A bell isn’t a universal solution. I used one for years and have come to the conclusion that I get much fewer crazy Ivans (pedestrians turning into me) by calling out early and often.

The other thing I’ve noticed Pete does, is say “Thanks” after calling and making the pass. He does it every single time, regardless of whether or not the person being passed moved over or gave some recognition of hearing the call. People wearing headphones may not have even heard him, but he still says it.

[JimF22003]

The hubs on my road bike are insanely loud when I coast (think swarm of angry bees through a loudspeaker.) I coast past folks I’m passing, and many times I’ve had walkers turn around and look, or give me the “thanks” finger wave as I come up behind them just from them hearing the hub noise.

On a narrowish section of trail I’ll almost always just say “passing” rather than “on your left.” OYL makes too many folks, such as the unfortunate walker in this story, veer right into my path.

OK here’s where I may make a few enemies: on a nice WIDE section of trail with good sight lines, and no oncoming traffic, I will just pass without saying anything (or maybe just rely on the hub noise to announce my presence.) I move completely into the left lane any don’t come anywhere near “buzzing” the walker. In my experience this is safer than unnecessarily confusing the walker (50% of whom are using earphones anyway, and wouldn’t hear an air-raid siren.)

[Tim Kelley]

The ARLnow story has been updated to include the following:

“The cyclist, a 62-year-old man, suffered only minor injuries and did not require transport to the hospital. He was riding a NEXT Power Climber mountain bike at the time of the accident, according to Sternbeck. No charges have been filed against the cyclist, he said.”

[mstone]

@Tim Kelley 21929 wrote:

The ARLnow story has been updated to include the following:

“The cyclist, a 62-year-old man, suffered only minor injuries and did not require transport to the hospital. He was riding a NEXT Power Climber mountain bike at the time of the accident, according to Sternbeck. No charges have been filed against the cyclist, he said.”

I’m fairly surprised they didn’t mention whether he was wearing a helmet. I also wonder if anyone on that ARLnow thread will take back some of the snark about privileged cyclists on carbon racing bikes.

[jrenaut]

@mstone 21934 wrote:

I also wonder if anyone on that ARLnow thread will take back some of the snark about privileged cyclists on carbon racing bikes.

1) No.
2) I think most of those commenting are automated bots that scan the internet for anything cycling related and regurgitate stereotypes.

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