[Mariner]

@huskerdont 181739 wrote:

…and Chain Bridge, for those of a N. Arlington inclination.

.. with strong emphasis on “inclination.”

[Mariner]

@huskerdont 182149 wrote:

I’m no lawyer so don’t ride according to anything I state, but it’s my understanding that DC is no longer operating under contributory negligence. Comparative negligence now, with those considered to be <50% able to recover.

http://www.rsrm.com/dc-moves-comparative-negligence-pedestrians-and-bikers

Ya know, that may very well be true for the District. Negligence was one of those things I learned about years ago and I tend to overdo the protective reaction to it. I’d still worry about a STOP directive, compliant or not, and trying to overcome that in recovery.

[Mariner]

@JanaeBixby 181818 wrote:

Anyone notice the new “slow” and “stop” lettering accompanied by a white solid line (like that on the road where a car gets to a 4-way intersection) AT EVERY INTERSECTION along the bike route infront of the wharf?

Am I the only one who thinks that including these lettered-signals on the bike path puts the onus on the cyclist to prevent accidents where cars pull into and outof the wharf rather than requiring cars to yield when cyclists/pedestrians have the walk signal or where there is no walk signal/light? If a car hits you they can claim you had a stop, and they did not. Oh, and for each of those intersections where a car is coming out between building exiting the wharf, there is no solid large white line telling them where they need to stop before proceeding to cross the pedestrian and bike paths.

What would concern me about such features is that in the event of an accident, the cyclist can be assessed with some degree of contributory negligence, reducing any potential award from a damage suit, and perhaps making it impossible to collect at all. If it says “STOP” on the cycletrack, you can bet a driver’s insurer or lawyer is going to say a collision was the cyclist’s fault, despite it not being at all in compliance with federal standards.

I have not been down on Maine Ave on two wheels since last fall (2017), and then again this past summer, and it was a horrible mess both times. I really feel for anyone who cycle commutes through there.

[Mariner]

That’s some ugly bruising but hopefully nothing that some time won’t heal. I have had close calls in this scenario, avoided only because I was farther back and the crossing driver was already turning. It happens from side streets too.

Re: 911 call – I wonder if you just say “we have an injured person here” and be somewhat vague (but not untruthful) with responses if they won’t dispatch someone more quickly? You’d probably get an ambulance then (which in retrospect might not have been a bad idea).

It also sounds like Kenny was pretty much stand-up in his response and didn’t go ballistic on a cyclist.

[Mariner]

@streetsmarts 179427 wrote:

For those of us who are new at traffic planning stuff – can you explain daylighting the intersection please? and re signaling – there would still be a right turn on red, right? So how would a change in signaling have helped?

Not sure what daylighting is … maybe clearing away any visual obstructions? Such as parked cars?

Signalling would prevent a vehicle from turning right across the cycle path. I am actually shocked this is not already in place at this intersection. Maybe G-Street view is out of date (that area of M was repaved recently), but not having a protected cycle for both motor vehicles and bicycles is a big oversight.

[Mariner]

@DCAKen 178348 wrote:

At last night’s public meeting, the project manager announced that Segment 3 (Broad Branch to Joyce) of Beach Drive will be finished a little earlier than expected and the last phase of the project (Joyce to the Maryland line) will be begin in mid-July. Beach Drive (and the trail from Joyce to Bingham) will be closed to all traffic, with the designated detour for pedestrians and cyclists to be the trail along Oregon Ave. Ross Drive and Ridge Road will be reopened to cars at this time. The short segment of Beach Drive from Wise Road to West Beach Drive will remain open for about six months to provide cut-through access, but this will be closed somewhere around January. Wise Road will also be closed, but it will not be rehabilitated. This final phase of the project is estimated to take about a year.

How is that trail next to Oregon Ave? From G-View it looks heavily forested, not at all suitable for two wheels except for MTBs. Oregon Avenue is not suitable either, as it has no shoulders and is very narrow with limited sightlines. At least the District thought to put all-way stops on those intersections to avoid having it turn into a speedway.

[Mariner]

Any update on the rider who was smacked in the head? Does anyone on the board know him or know how his recovery is going?

[Mariner]

It sounds like the person who was riding westbound (the crime victim) was attempting to pass under less than ideal circumstances. Without knowing more, such as the distance and speed of the E/B rider, it would be difficult to say more. The stiff-arm was, of course, way out of line, and is without question assault. That kind of thing will put people in hospitals and can leave them paralysed, if not dead. It also puts at risk other persons, such as trailing riders and the party being passed.

Having been confronted by aggressive passing in head-on situations, I’ve learned to give such riders a very wide berth, even if it means detouring to the grass. In those cases it is best to roll with a bad decision and go on with your day. Some people just do not want to slow down, even on a crowded trail on level terrain.

[Mariner]

@sjclaeys 149307 wrote:

And commenter “Nico Corr” goes for the win with this comment: “Love to see them undertake such an operation to ensure cyclists obey traffic laws as well. I see them on a daily basis in flagrante delicto of right of way and stop light laws.”

Great one.

[Mariner]

Wow hope you’re ok CV. Looks like it was low-speed but there is always risk of hitting pavement and breaking something in those too. I like that cam, by the way. I use a Contour Roam 3 (two of them, front and rear).

[Mariner]

@Lt. Dan 148473 wrote:

a firm open handed slap on the back quarter of the car would have been my response…

Ugh! That’s a good way to end up sprawled on the pavement!

[Mariner]

@excimer34 148400 wrote:

Nevermind the timestamp on this video. It occurred on 11/3/16 at approximately 5:30 pm. The city of Alexandria this week repainted the bike lane at Commonwealth Ave and E Glebe Road. They even painted it green, ironically enough, to increase visibility. That didn’t stop Virginia plate WTR 5952 from using the bike lane to swing around stopped traffic. I didn’t die, so that’s good.

Illegal. It would be illegal whether there was a bike lane or not, as there is only one lane of traffic, and it is illegal to pass on the right. Drivers do it all the time anyway.

I’ve come to expect maneuvers like that. Always anticipate what vehicles will do, and in this case, WTR 5952 was obviously not slowing for the stopped traffic ahead turning left on E Glebe. There was only one maneuver that driver could make.

Others mentioned a Contour. I use a Contour Roam 3, which as indicated is waterproof (it’s actually underwater rated). It also kind of looks like a light (and not a GoPro!), so it has subtlety working for it. You can also pair it with your Android or iPhone, and get a rear-facing cam for travel, handy to see what’s happening behind you.

[Mariner]

@barbielwc 146481 wrote:

It was a four way stop on Commonwealth and E Del Ray Ave. I was in the bike lane. I slowed there the intersection was clear. In the morning I’m usually not going more 15 mph.

Do you get Virginia DMV driver license points for things like this? If so, you might want to consider the impact of points on your record, and if that makes a difference. A year from now, it will show up on your record as a stop sign violation with nothing about your having been on the bicycle.

I might consider going to court for it. Judges routinely reduce speeding infractions (10-19 over to 1-9 over for example), and those are lower fines and fewer points. Maybe “Stop sign violation” to “Disregarding official sign” in your case? Yes I know it’s a hassle but there is chance it will be dismissed outright, especially if you were courteous (the judge will ask the arresting officer).

That is an odd intersection with the staggered cross road entry. I have blown through that stop before because you end up stopping a good distance before the road you actually cross, and the road you do stop for presents no traffic interference to the bike lanes.

Good luck mate!

[Mariner]

@Judd 145532 wrote:

Did you signal that you were slowing?

No, it was a quick stop and I needed both hands to squeeze the brakes and stop, and to maintain control. I have tried one-handed braking before and the problem is that the handlebar which is not controlled wants to pull; so right-hand brake only means pull to the right, and v/v. In that situation, a pull to the right would have sent me into a jersey barrier and maybe over it.

[Mariner]

@jrenaut 145504 wrote:

Don’t think this was a right on red issue, though I agree that they should be illegal in DC.

Actually got mixed up with another crash post (which WAS a RoR issue) and realised that after posting. That’s what happens when you try to listen in on a conference call and surf BA at the same time. 😮

[Author]

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