Should Not Happen
2008-03-10 11:00AM PDT/Home
While my wife and I were out for a ride on Sunday we came upon a blocked Stevens Creek Canyon road. Talking to the officer on the scene, and a number of other cyclists that were there, it became apparent that it had been an accident involving another cyclist. Mind you, it was a perfect day, perfect visibility, dry roads. I just don't understand how this stuff happens.
From the Merc, I'm not amused by the the tone this article takes: Sheriff's patrol car hits bicyclists, kills 2:
Cyclists along the well-traveled stretch of road talked Sunday about the dangers of their sport - everything from speeding cars to drivers who blare their horns in an attempt to intimidate them. One of the most dangerous things cyclists can do, they said, is ride two-abreast.
What does riding two-abreast have to do with this accident? I would have written, one the most dangerous things a driver can do is to cross the yellow line into oncoming traffic. I was guessing the officer was either speeding, cutting the apex of the turn or he fell asleep at the wheel.
My heart goes out to the families of the two cyclists killed. This kind of accident should not happen.
Update 3/10/2008:
The Merc has since updated the article, apparently someone heard the officer say he had fallen asleep. Big surprise. Interestingly many posters to the forum on the accident point out that it was the morning after daylight savings time kicked in, when we all lose an extra hour of sleep.