Just walked in the door from a visit to the ER. Can you believe a 2nd cyclist hit by a motorist in the same day, here in SD?? I guess I was luckier than the other fella. NOthing broke, just deeply bruised.
I just finished reading about the poor cyclist that was killed. The common link with the 2 hits, is that they were hit and runs. It really amazes me that someone responsible enough to attain a drivers license would hit and kill a person and take off. I hope they catch both of these drivers, especially the one from early today. THe Shell gas station guy got the plate number from the car that hit me, so I can’t wait to see the small penalty she will face.
Souza scraped me up and drove me back to his house. We both limped into his house. I think Zofingen almost put him into the ER.
Guys and gals, be carfull out on the roads. I feel fortunate to be alive.
Will it really take someone to retaliate with a gun and shoot a motorist for putting our lives in constant peril, to bring attention to the inadaquate laws that give a motorist a misdemeaner for killing a cyclist who is riding in a designated bike lane? Was Malcolm X’s statement “…by any means necessary” the new battlecry to protect ourselves???
Unbelievable!!! Glad to hear your ok paul, and only brused.
Its hard to believe there are actually people that would hit someone and drive off! Was it an accident? Accidents happen, but driving off sure makes you look guilty!
Where were you at when you got hit? Another road we should avoid I guess…we are going to run out of roads!
I got home late last night (9:30) but It felt like the cars were being extra cautious around me (my HID didn’t hurt either, that thing is bright, but man does it suck to be back into winter training mode while it’s still August.)
I am pretty sure that any cyclist who shows a gun will end up in jail while the motorist gets off scott free. I don’t recomend anyone try that.
My most recent funny story is that I had a guy slam on the brakes, skid to a stop, and attempt to spit on me not too long ago, as I crossed the on-ramp to I5-S at Palomar Airport heading west. This was after we exchanged words and gestures a bit. I think he was upset that I was trying to get out of his way and by doing so riding in between lanes (that split about 100m down the road.)
To make up for that, though, last night some girl leaned out the window as her car passed and said something like “you’re hot” (not sure of the words she used exactly, and perhaps it was just another prank, but it’s nice when the good balances out the bad.)
Hey Acorn, I use to ride that section of Palamor Airport next to I-5 to. Craziness getting over the freeway there. I take Cannon Rd now. Much easier, and bike lanes all the way under the freeway. Only adds about a mile to the ride. Just head up past the Outlets to Cannon, then under the freeway, and take the first left, you get on the road that goes right by In And Out.
Yes, I’m very rarely on PAR for that reason. I take canon a bit, la costa much more (commute is south). I can’t wait for Melrose to go through to PAR (6 weeks I heard) and for cannon and faraday to be finished (I live off canon in Vista.) But the hill from el camino real to vista (right now detouring on college to lake) is a beyotch. Still, I completely agree, that stretch of PAR is to be avoided by bikes and there are lots of ways to do that. Pointsettia goes through from melrose to el camino, i may use it more once melrose goes through (but crossing melrose into the left turn lane in morning traffic is too difficult.)
Paul, take care. Glad you are OK. It seems like there is one such posting per week here on ST! I was lucky with a head on collision with a van earlier this year !
You got the police involved I presume. With the license plate number they will investigate and possibly prosecute. Their car will be impounded and license taken away…When my car was hit and run over the 4th of July I learned the deal from the police and insurance.
I would imagine or hope a person being hit would carry much stronger justice.
I was on Twin Oaks Valley Rd, North of San Marcos State. I was riding at the worst time of the day and was hit at 4:50pm.
The police officer told me that I should not have been on my bike at that time of day. I told him that it is hard to call on InSideoutSports and Bike Sports in the evening hours. He was confused!! He conitued to ask the same questions over as if I were on C.S.I. San Marcos.
In the end, he told me to save all of my medical billing because the old lady will be tracked down and will be paying.
For those of you inquiring on where the accident happened, so you could avoid this location, I think there is no safe place. You just have to have your head up and eyes open no matter where you are.
So how “OK” are you? Are you going to have to pull out of a few races because of this? And how is your bike? Is your ladyfriend freaking out about you going back out to ride again, whenever that may be?
I’ve been feeling a bit vulnerable out on the roads lately, but there just doesn’t seem to be much that can be done save for some type of national consciousness shift that slows us all down and has us being more focused on where we are in that moment.
Geez…hope you are feeling better today Paul. I agree…no area is 100% immune to accidents as ignorant drivers frequent all roads as do potholes and other obstacles. I was involved in a hit and run back in college (only I was running)…some kid blew a stop sign while I was in the crosswalk. I rolled off the hood of his van and he took off. My friend got the license and this 16 year old got his license revoked for 3 years, had to pay all my medical bills, and also did community service for 3 years. I am sure stiffer penalties apply in vehicular homicide but it really is a shame to see the lack of respect for cyclists from some drivers and it is really sickening to hear that some jury members are sympathizing with the a**holes who are making the roads unsafe for cyclists.
