[CCrew]

@StopMeansStop 6008 wrote:

.

Also, in the sandwich situation you describe, only the lead driver is possibly not at fault. The middle driver failed to maintain a safe distance. I read about this after one of those massive fogout accidents.

In your example the pedestrian was the “obstacle”. Same thing essentially. You can come to a full stop in any road. Sure, you risk an impeding traffic ticket, but if someone hits you it’s 99% it’s their fault. Good example from a LEO about rear end collisions: http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/733166.html
Safe distance doesn’t apply if at full stop. Get in one of those accidents one time, cop will invariably ask “was there one impact or two” If two, it was the first hit from the rear and the second hit pushing you into the front. Get out of jail free card.

Those fogout accidents generally result in the “Failure to maintain proper speed for conditions” ticket marathons. Or in VA there’s the “contributory negligence” loophole which is totally an ugly one.

But considering I’m not a lawyer, AND I didn’t stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night it’s really going to be up to a court to decide. Either of us taking the stance that the other is 100% wrong is just going to be a disappointment

[CCrew]

@eminva 5844 wrote:

Fairfax and North Wakefield — this is the intersection between Glebe and the path to the Custis Trail. When I’m coming west, the bike lane ends and I’m never sure if I’m supposed to stay in the street (mixing it up with cars about to enter an interstate) or move onto the “sidewalk.” I use the term loosely because the condition of the sidewalk is terrible (for that matter, so is the pavement in the street), the curb cuts are in the wrong place and there are cars coming and going from all directions. Like Lynn Street, I fear for my life. I often wonder what it would be like in a wheelchair.

Came through there yesterday, had two ladies standing on the corner in the middle of the sidewalk ramp. Absolutely refused to move for me.

My worst? Coming off M Street onto the Key bridge headed toward Rosslyn. You not only are mixing it up with the cars which by that point are sensing freedom from the gridlock on M, but you’re trying to get across the right hand merge land on the other side to get up on the bridge.

@Mark Blacknell 6004 wrote:

The County is well aware of cyclists’ dissatisfaction with the Wakefield/Custis branch intersection. My preferred permanent solution is to cut the sidewalk back at that point (so the bike lane can continue straight through). My preferred interim solution is to get rid of the bike lane entirely (from Glebe), replacing it with sharrows.

I have less issue with trying to get up on the trail than I do with cars trying to get into and out of the school just before there. Between blocking the street or the sidewalk it’s not a happy place getting forced into a lane, then trying to navigate the access to the trail.

[CCrew]

@StopMeansStop 6001 wrote:

If driver A yields to a pedestrian that is inside an intersection, and the driver is rear-ended by driver B for coming to a sudden stop, then driver B is at fault.
If driver A yields to a pedestrian that is outside an intersection, and the driver is rear-ended by driver B for coming to a sudden stop, then driver A is at fault.

Err, no. Because other factors come into play. Maintaining a safe following distance for the cars is one.

About the only way to escape responsibility for a rear end collision is to be the middle car in a sandwich where the impact from the rear car drives you into the car in front.

I can slam the brakes for a bunny in the road and if the car behind me hits me they’ll get the ticket. By your description that wouldn’t be the case. Think about it. A kid rides their bike out of the driveway into the street, and you slam the brakes and the car behind you hits you. By your description it’s your fault. I don’t think that’s gonna fly.

[CCrew]

Impressive! Keep up the good work all!

[CCrew]

@PanthersFan 5962 wrote:

I’m riding from GMU to old town Fredericksburg. The Bike Route 1 is different than the Route 1 most of us avoid. The VDOT bike map http://www.virginiadot.org/bikemap/ shows the Bike Route 1 going around the Prince William Forest.

Interesting route. They’re definitely running you way west to run south. Says a lot about bikeable infrastructure.

[CCrew]

Looks like there was yet another yesterday, got a cyclist at gunpoint.

[CCrew]

@acc 5953 wrote:

I don’t mean to be blunt. Well, yes I do but it’s early and I am undercaffeinated and upset that a cyclist is hurt. I have a simple approach.

I don’t want to die on a bike.

That means I ride within my limits.

I use my own judgment at an intersection no matter how many times I hear “clear.”

I am always ready to stop at an intersection. And yes, this slows me down a lot — tough.

I will lay my bike down if I have the slightest doubt about whether a car is coming up on me too fast and what looked clear a moment ago suddenly looks iffy.

All fair statements.

I don’t think any of us can say we’ve never rolled a stop, or in retrospect done a boneheaded maneuver. And Ann’s right… You can’t trust anyone but yourself to determine what’s safe.

As to cars. They don’t have to stop in most cases especially on the W&OD. There are a lot of very courteous drivers however that will. That can be deceptive in that unless you can be sure that ALL lanes involved are stopped proceeding can still render the accident your fault. When I first started commuting I saw a guy hit in just that fashion. Two lanes of traffic stopped and someone in the rear of the line was inconvenienced and cut right around the stopped cars hitting the rider. As a result I will frequently wave on a stopped or stopping car. It’s not fun seeing a fellow rider down and even less fun being that rider. I’ve beaten enough statistical odds in my lifetime that I try not to tempt too many any more.

[CCrew]

@WillStewart 5931 wrote:

However, Big Apples don’t come in 700,

What they show as 28″ is ETRTO 622 which means they’re what we US folks refer to as 700c. Looks like the smallest is 2.00, that may be a questionable fit

[CCrew]

@acc 5880 wrote:

About seven miles from home, Louisa saw her opportunity and threw the nice young lady off into the curb.

Wow, between Spartacus the other day and then today, you sure they’re not conspiring against you?

Glad to hear she’s ok.

[CCrew]

@acc 5869 wrote:

This is like what, educational?

Oh snap. I know where I’m staying away from :p

No greased pig contest no CCrew. :p

[CCrew]

@Tim Kelley 5824 wrote:

Another option is to always line the brand name of the tire up with the valve stem of the tube when you put them on the wheel. That way you don’t have to worry about carrying chalk around if you aren’t changing it at home!

Plus, I’m told, it looks more “pro.”

d00d, it’s a rule!

Rule #40 / Tires are to be mounted with the label centered directly over the valve stem.
Pro mechanics do it because it makes it easier to find the valve. You do this because that’s the way pro mechanics do it. This will save you precious seconds while your fat ass sits on the roadside fumbling with your CO2 after a flat. It also looks better for photo opportunities.

[CCrew]

@OneEighth 5811 wrote:

I also stopped fiddling with repairing tubes except as a last resort.

Same here. They’re so cheap and I depend on the bike for transportation so I chuck them.

[CCrew]

January 01 1234 BREVARD CT / RICHMOND HWY Bicyclist at fault Drunk in public

LOL. What a way to start the year

[CCrew]

@Brendan von Buckingham 5809 wrote:

How does a bicycle beat a speeding ticket? I’ve always assumed that speed limits apply to bikes as well. Maybe something about bikes not required to have speedometers, so there’s no expectation that they know how fast they’re going?

Dirt pretty much got it.

Went to court with him. Biggest issue I was working with was he had just gotten his license, and it was points against that. Judge asked the cop what happened. Cop clocked him on a long downhill just getting it. Said he wasn’t doing anything stupid, just going fast.

I was with my son. Judge asked me my take on it – was pretty informal. I told the judge that while my son and I had discussed it and he realized that technically he was wrong, I certainly wasn’t going to punish him. Considering he wasn’t sitting in front of a game console and wasn’t a problem kid that I was actually quite proud of his accomplishment. *I* certainly couldn’t have done that speed.

Judge just paused for a sec, said “Case dismissed”. Then he asked the cop if he couldn’t find something other than citing bicycles for speeding and to NEVER come in front of him again with a ticket like this. Cop was pissed.

Bike had a Garmin on it.. he knew EXACTLY how fast he was going and was winding it out. Just never figured the cop would give him a ticket. Said the cop pretty much was an ass about it too.

[CCrew]

@FFX_Hinterlands 5800 wrote:

We clearly need some video of this intersection for those of us who don’t get to experience it. Helmet cam?

I really dunno what all the noise is about. I go through there every morning and rarely see a car.

at 4am :p

[Author]

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