well, it was a dumb move by the car to not pay attention, especially when a bike race is obviously going on. and the car did not signal.
thats a traffic ticket for sure.
Been hit by a car lately?
This happened Saturday in the Tri-Cities of Washington state.
Mixed reaction as to who’s ‘really’ at fault here.
I was surprised at the number of people who were ‘against’ the triathlete.
I’m not sure I would have done anything different?!
(Article, Video & Comments)
Yea thats a tough call… Seems like the car knew the cyclist was there (just passed him) so should have been watching out for that. However the cyclist only moved to the right to pass the slowing car, so the car might have though the cyclist was behind him (slowing… waiting to pass etc). Not really sure who is at fault there, although im glad he appeared to be OK.
I’m torn on this one. Anytime I see brake lights going on and I am catching up to a car, I assume they are going to do something like turn or park or something that will put me in harms way. I think too often we cyclists assume cars see us and we really shouldn’t. But at the same time, the guy clearly didn’t check his blind spot.
M~
What kind of dumbass tries to pass that fast on the inside on a road with no shoulder and no where to go. Take the car on the left. Riding on the road is like 75% self-preservation and 25% going fast even in a race.
yeah, road riding you slow down, check to the left, and move over
in a race though, I ain’t sayin what he did was right, but I unnerstaaaand
What kind of dumbass tries to pass that fast on the inside on a rode with no shoulder and no where to go. Take the car on the left. Riding on the road is like 75% self-preservation and 25% going fast even in a race.
I agree with the comment on the article that it was a case of 2 wrongs. the driver should have been more attentive and the rider should not have undertaken.
I’m totally biased, and I agree that different actions could have been taken by both . . . but if you are driving your car in an obvious bike race area wouldn’t you think to look for bikes when making a quick right turn with no signal?
I’m totally biased, and I agree that different actions could have been taken by both . . . but if you are driving your car in an obvious bike race area wouldn’t you think to look for bikes when making a quick right turn with no signal?
not if I am someone completely unfamiliar with bike racing/triathlon. I would probably just be really nervous or angry or annoyed or confused and even if you check you can fail to see a cyclist due to a blind spot.
A singal though, I’m not seeing it. that would help. its why you signal, so if you can’t see someone, they know what you are doing at least.
It is a tough one. That is a danger zone and for me I have learned to always expect the car to turn. At any intersection, I always assume a car is going to cut me off.
yeah, road riding you slow down, check to the left, and move over
in a race though, I ain’t sayin what he did was right, but I unnerstaaaand
What kind of dumbass tries to pass that fast on the inside on a rode with no shoulder and no where to go. Take the car on the left. Riding on the road is like 75% self-preservation and 25% going fast even in a race.[/quote
Imagine the gravestone:
If the truck hadn’t turned right, I would have had a PR!
Unertaking vehicles that turn is one of the biggest risks to cyclists.
Rider was dumb for passing a braking Excursion on the right, at the entrance to a business. Severe lack of common sense shown there, race or not.
I’m totally biased, and I agree that different actions could have been taken by both . . . but if you are driving your car in an obvious bike race area wouldn’t you think to look for bikes when making a quick right turn with no signal?
not if I am someone completely unfamiliar with bike racing/triathlon. I would probably just be really nervous or angry or annoyed or confused and even if you check you can fail to see a cyclist due to a blind spot.
A singal though, I’m not seeing it. that would help. its why you signal, so if you can’t see someone, they know what you are doing at least.
Yes but this happened in the wonderful Pacific NW where we have bike lanes and people are supposed to be used to checking for bikes before turning right. If you don’t do this in the town I live in you’ll end up with a good number of commuters plastered to the right side of your car.
Rider was dumb for passing a braking Excursion on the right, at the entrance to a business. Severe lack of common sense shown there, race or not.
Agreed
As many others have said, it was way dumb to pass on the inside there. The proper place to pass would have been on the outside of the car by slowing a bit. Even if you crossed the center line to avoid a car, I highly doubt a referee would give you a penalty. But, when racing we don’t see that,w e only hear “GOGOGOGOGOGOGOGGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGO.”
RV
I’m inclined to agree that both sides should have done things differently, but I also can’t help but notice that the entrance to the station was coned off. Yes, one of the cones was moved out of the way, but that doesn’t change anything.
Of course all of us know who wins and who loses when a 200 pound rider/bike meets a 5000 pound SUV and should pay more attention, even in a race.
Rider was dumb for passing a braking Excursion on the right, at the entrance to a business. Severe lack of common sense shown there, race or not.
Agreed
Concur.
What is the rule of thumb when cars get rear-ended? Following car is at fault. I see no difference here.
And for the record, this guy wasn’t hit by the vehicle, he hit the vehicle.
(That said, I love the sound of a disc wheel moving along…)
I rarely pass cars on the right for that reason… unless it’s a road without driveways/businesses.
Both people made bad decisions here. The cyclist for going to the right or not slowing down. The driver for not signaling, not paying attention, and buying that ridiculous car.
Agreed, the cyclist should have been more defensive but the car broke the law with NO TURN SIGNAL.
…still i wd have probably chosen to overtake on the left … but guess it is so much easier to think when sitting on my armchair and not redlining …
Yep, I agree with most here. Its only smart to assume a vehicle has no idea you are there. This clearly could have been avoided by the cyclist.