Hooo boy....what do you say to someone who..

[transplant99]

was involved in an accident last night that killed a bicyclist.

http://www.citizen-times.com/article...WS01/101127012

It is my neighbor who was driving and hit a woman who succumbed to head injuries. I just heard the details from another neighbor and it sounds like it was certainly an accident by any stretch. Happened right down the road from our place...a very wooded area that is used by some homeless for camping etc. which it sounds like the victim was.

Worst part for Pat is that she will have to pass that spot every time she leaves her house or comes home. She has to be just torn up inside.

Not sure how you approach this kind of situation...as we arent real close or anything but certainly cordial with each other. I see that some of her family has arrived already from out of state for support.

[jar_e]

Nothing. I'm sure this person has enough talking to do the next few days, probably would appreciate people not bringing it up.

[transplant99]

Im not going to treat her like a pariah...its something that happened and will have to be addressed at some point. Saying absolutely nothing could make her feel even worse actually....guilt can be a multiplier ina case like this i would think.

I have no intention of knocking on her door or anything, but we will cross paths at some point.

[red '00]

I don't understand why people in vehicles simply don't see/don't care about people on bikes. I cycle quite a bit in the summer time (no I do not wear spandex ) and see it all the time.

A bike is a vehicle too, and needs to be treated like a car, truck or suv. So why the hell are they apparently invisible to people??

Not just bicycles though, motorbikes have the same issues. I have a lot of buddies that ride and constantly hear stories about people merging into them and crap like that. I just don't get it.

Anyways, you said the area was heavily wooded and it was likely dark. I doubt a homeless person is going to be equip for riding at night either. Really just an unfortunate thing. From the sounds of it, it likely had less to do with her not paying attention in this case and the cyclist likely being practically invisible.

What do you say to her? Nothing. I'd just act normal. She's probably taking it pretty hard.

[Rathji]

I remember reading the account in the paper from the passenger who was in the car that hit and killed Constable Sonenberg on Deerfoot in 1993. Even just reading it, I will never forget the images in my mind.

I can't even imagine experiencing it or being responsible for it.

My Dad drove taxi and hit and killed a guy who ran out in front of him on 17th Ave SW. He was found innocent of any wrongdoing but It really messed him up for the rest of his life.

[Kavvy]

Originally Posted by red '00

I don't understand why people in vehicles simply don't see/don't care about people on bikes. I cycle quite a bit in the summer time (no I do not wear spandex ) and see it all the time.

A bike is a vehicle too, and needs to be treated like a car, truck or suv. So why the hell are they apparently invisible to people??

Not just bicycles though, motorbikes have the same issues. I have a lot of buddies that ride and constantly hear stories about people merging into them and crap like that. I just don't get it.

Anyways, you said the area was heavily wooded and it was likely dark. I doubt a homeless person is going to be equip for riding at night either. Really just an unfortunate thing. From the sounds of it, it likely had less to do with her not paying attention in this case and the cyclist likely being practically invisible.

What do you say to her? Nothing. I'd just act normal. She's probably taking it pretty hard.

Article said no lights on bike and no helmet, bad luck

[red '00]

Originally Posted by Kavy

Article said no lights on bike and no helmet, bad luck

Yeah. Unfortunately as much as drivers of cars need to be responsible and pay attention to bicycles, people on bikes need to be responsible and wear a helmet/make themselves as visible as possible in low-light conditions.

[Northendzone]

i would just treat as you have in the past - but personally i'd try and stay away from commenting on the accident - i am not sure wehat could really say.......

[jar_e]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Im not going to treat her like a pariah...its something that happened and will have to be addressed at some point. Saying absolutely nothing could make her feel even worse actually....guilt can be a multiplier ina case like this i would think.

I have no intention of knocking on her door or anything, but we will cross paths at some point.

I'd argue there's still an expectation of privacy on her part and to respect that. Maybe I'm misinterpreting the extent of the relationship between you two, but if I had been in her shoes, I wouldn't really want a neighbour bringing it up...especially when I'm sure this is ALL she'll be talking about when people speak to her the next few weeks, years, etc.

I'm not saying never talk about, but I just don't see the point of bringing it up.

[monkeyman]

never mind

[MRCboicgy]

Unfortunately a lot of cyclists also need to smarten up--at least the ones riding around Kensington/Hillhurst/Sunnyside. If you think you deserve to be treated like a vehicle, then act like one. Too often in my neighbourhood I have the Lance Armstrong wannabes blow right through a 2-way or 4-way stop. One of these days I'm worried I'll hit one...

[Winsor_Pilates]

I've seen quite a few minor accidents in Vancouver between cyclists and cars or pedestrians, and in almost all of them the cyclist was to blame.
Drivers need to be careful of bikes too, but I find it's mostly bikers in the wrong.
Too many choose to be vehicles when convenient, pedestrians when convenient and use their own rules when convenient.

[Slanter]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

I've seen quite a few minor accidents in Vancouver between cyclists and cars or pedestrians, and in almost all of them the cyclist was to blame.
Drivers need to be careful of bikes too, but I find it's mostly bikers in the wrong.
Too many choose to be vehicles when convenient, pedestrians when convenient and use their own rules when convenient.

Yep... I ride my bike to work every day, and I'm guilty of doing this. I do it because stopping at every stop sign is a pain, and because sometimes running a light is the only way to get into the lane I need to be in... But ultimately, if I get hit doing that it's going to be my fault.

[Yasa]

Originally Posted by red '00

I don't understand why people in vehicles simply don't see/don't care about people on bikes. I cycle quite a bit in the summer time (no I do not wear spandex ) and see it all the time.

A bike is a vehicle too, and needs to be treated like a car, truck or suv. So why the hell are they apparently invisible to people??

Not just bicycles though, motorbikes have the same issues. I have a lot of buddies that ride and constantly hear stories about people merging into them and crap like that. I just don't get it.

Anyways, you said the area was heavily wooded and it was likely dark. I doubt a homeless person is going to be equip for riding at night either. Really just an unfortunate thing. From the sounds of it, it likely had less to do with her not paying attention in this case and the cyclist likely being practically invisible.

What do you say to her? Nothing. I'd just act normal. She's probably taking it pretty hard.

I, as well as others I know, treat bikes like vehicles, however; most cyclists don't follow any road rules. I've come across many riders blowing stop signs, red lights, etc. Not to mention, many of them I've seen in the early mornings or night don't feel the need to wear reflective equipment.

Alternatively to that, it only takes a split second to hit somebody. If you're checking your mirrors, spedometer or even the radio; an accident can happen. Even if the cyclist looks around briefly, they might miss something which could result in a collision.

I don't mean to make it sound like I'm jumping down your throat or anything, but there is more to motor-vehicle vs. bicycles than just "why don't drivers pay more attention." It's a two-way street (semi-pun totally intended) and both parties need to be aware of each others and the rules.

[Jayems]

I have nothing useful to add to this thread. So here's a photo. (And this is directed at the posts above, not the OP)

[transplant99]

About an hour ago the local news team was outside asking if that was her house and my wife said she didnt think it was any of her business to be telling them.

They went and knocked on her door anyway...no one answered. Good.

F'in media sharks.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by red '00

I don't understand why people in vehicles simply don't see/don't care about people on bikes. I cycle quite a bit in the summer time (no I do not wear spandex ) and see it all the time.

A bike is a vehicle too, and needs to be treated like a car, truck or suv. So why the hell are they apparently invisible to people??

Because most bike riders drive like idiots on the roads. They go too slow but they drive out in the road so people can't pass them but when it comes to a red light they hug the curb and ride to the front of the line.

They pick and choose the rules of the road when it convenient for them.

Not just bicycles though, motorbikes have the same issues. I have a lot of buddies that ride and constantly hear stories about people merging into them and crap like that. I just don't get it.

It's because they're a lot less visible than a car and they can accelerate so fast that sometimes they come out of nowhere.

[ken0042]

I think the key here is to not treat her any differently. Depending on what level of friend they are it might even be worth send a quick email saying "Hey- let me know if you need me for anything."

At least that way the guilt they feel will not be compounded further by thinking she has lost everything.

[Jake]

Originally Posted by red '00

I don't understand why people in vehicles simply don't see/don't care about people on bikes. I cycle quite a bit in the summer time (no I do not wear spandex ) and see it all the time.

A bike is a vehicle too, and needs to be treated like a car, truck or suv. So why the hell are they apparently invisible to people??

Not just bicycles though, motorbikes have the same issues. I have a lot of buddies that ride and constantly hear stories about people merging into them and crap like that. I just don't get it.

Anyways, you said the area was heavily wooded and it was likely dark. I doubt a homeless person is going to be equip for riding at night either. Really just an unfortunate thing. From the sounds of it, it likely had less to do with her not paying attention in this case and the cyclist likely being practically invisible.

What do you say to her? Nothing. I'd just act normal. She's probably taking it pretty hard.

It goes both ways. I live in Vancouver and some bycylists seem to think the rules of the road so not apply to them.

[GirlySports]

Yes be lowkey but let her know that your family is there