Two Bicyclist Gets Hit By Car on Chicken Bridge Road Today

[randy]

We gave them first aide until First alert arrived.  One cyclist was fine with some bruises, the other male was taken by ambulance to UNC, may have a fractured knee, but was alert, coherent and moving all extremities when we assessed him, he was able to crawl out off the hot pavement and get into the shade, Was fearful he was going into shock lying there on the hot pavement.  Everyone needs to be very alert on these windy roads with are bike population growing on these rural roads. 

[sofa king]

       Did the motorist that hit them stop?

[randy]

yes, it was just a accident that could of been much worse.  The driver was shook up and felt horriable about it, i know him and he'd never hurt a fly, I felt bad for him to because I know how he was feeling.

[mmaccione]

 Definitely a bad road to ride a bicycle on. Hope everyone is ok.

[randy]

Definitely a bad road to ride a bicycle on. Hope everyone is ok.

I think everyone will be fine after some healing, I was just so relieved to see the cyclist laying out on the road was alert and talking to me with no obvious spinal damage.  I was worried more about heat stroke, because he had stopped sweating and new it was going to be awhile before help came.

[VAHeel]

I'm glad you were there to provide such knowledgeable first aid, randy.

[randy]

Yes, but there were several people helping him too that were nurses, it was like a outdoor trauma center fully staffed, even had ice packs on him.  It's amazing when bad things happen,  how everyone comes togather to help a total stranger.  The victum even in pain was able to say thank you as the ambulance took him away.

[girlfrompbo]

Wow, thank God there were people there to help.  Even if the injuries weren't life threatening lying in that heat certainly could be.

Let this be a lesson to everybody.... SLOW DOWN!

[randy]

Good news, Phillip was released from the hospital with no broken bones, just stitches in left knee.  I was surprised the way he left a dent on the car that struck him, but his helmet also helped when it hit the hood of the car and I'm sure prevented a concussion.  The driver of the car is at home and has been able calm down from the emotional trauma he was experiencing earlier today
One cyclist hit was struck by the side of the car, the got hit by the front of the car and was slammed down on the hood of car and thrown to pavement.  This accident could of been alot worse.  Are preacher went and visited the patients in the ER prior to there discharge today.

[Beel]

Re "bad road for a bicycle" above, we all have to keep in mind that public roads are just that.  In many ways the rural two lane roads that are 95% of Chatham County's road system are exactly what bicycles are made for--surely it's safer than on the big boys like 14-501 and 64.  The biggest hazard in Chatham County is probably deer--I saw at least 20 on Jones Ferry the other night.  Wonder if the cyclists ever hit them? 

[coffeebot]

Deer! Me!

I'll guess that deer are hit by cars because of two reasons: 1) in the natural world, a deer would not have an instinct to judge the speed of a vehicle because it is traveling 50-60mph. The deer is most likely thinking, "doo-dee-doo-dee-doo. Wow, headlights. let's see, traveling at 30mph (like my top speed) it won't reach me for another 8 seconds, and it takes 4 seconds to cross 15-501. I got time. Those headlights. Oh yeah, time to jump. Wheeee! Oh god, ow, the pain, everything hurts. Why me!!! What is happening here??? This is not right..." *gurgle-gasp*

And 2) it's dark.

Bicyclists don't git hit by deers cause they travel betwixt 15-23mph. That's deer speed, holmes.

I've been hit by cars 3 times, once because I may have misjudged the trajectory of the van speeding thru a four-way stop in El Paso. The worst was this winter on a dry road and the driver (high) made an illegal turn and totaled my bike. I let go of the bike and rolled over his hood. Here's the photomontage but be warned: do not view if bruises and underwear make you squeamish. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/kawasakishogun/premoni.jpg

[Beckysews]

We get to see coffeebot's under-roos!!!!!!!!!!!  Let's Go!!!!!!!!!

 


Back in the Dark Ages I used to ride my bike all over the hometown and then Clempzin when a student there.  Lots of us rode.  Seldom an accident and I'll tell you why I think it was that way: As children we were TAUGHT THE RULES OF THE ROAD!!!!!!!!!

We learned that we were to obey all traffic laws as if we were a motorized vehicle.

We learned that if we were riding in a bunch to ride single file.

We learned that by riding single file a car could safely pass us. 

We learned the car would really want to pass us cause we would most likely be going 10-15 mph when the speed limit was 35 or higher.

We learned to be ever observant of the motor vehicles and get the hell outta the way!


I've seen accidents caused by cars and by bikes. Nothing burns me up more than to get behind two or three racing uniformed bikers riding 3 across the lane and just jabberin away as if they are on a scenic bikeway!

There's a pair of guys that I occasionally see on Mann's Chapel who ride that way.  I fully expect to see them smushed by a construction truck coming around a blind curve, too fast and just left of center.  (Which is another rant for another thread.)

What is up with the FEW bikers that just don't seem to understand the fact that they can get quite dead by not following the traffic laws?

[ppittman]

Amen Beckysews! The rules you mention are the same ones that I grew up with. Those, and to always ride the white line, or the shoulder (shoulder especially if a semi-truck is nearing). The roads in NC are pretty narrow, and some roads don't offer much of a shoulder to the right of the white line, especially in the rural areas.

I really don't think the "rules of the road" are even taught anymore, or even mentioned anywhere. Most (but not all) bicyclists ride as if they own the road, and have every right to ride anywhere they dern well please. It's not ony just aggrevating, but dangerous to both the motorist who is trying to get by as well as the cyclist.

[Beckysews]

You know what else?  Neither of my kids were required to take Drivers' Ed classes.  They walked in the first day of class, took the test, passed the test, did several hours in the car with the instructor and then they were turned loose.

We had to take the actual classroom portion and there was a section of instruction on road etiquette.  We learned about bike safety and farm equipment on the road safety and motorcycle safety.  It's been 33 years but I can still hear Coach Groce and Coach Branch's words on many an occasional.

[WolfpackFan]

Re "bad road for a bicycle" above, we all have to keep in mind that public roads are just that.  In many ways the rural two lane roads that are 95% of Chatham County's road system are exactly what bicycles are made for--surely it's safer than on the big boys like 14-501 and 64.  The biggest hazard in Chatham County is probably deer--I saw at least 20 on Jones Ferry the other night.  Wonder if the cyclists ever hit them? 

I disagree with you Beel.  I would rather have bicycles on 15-501 and 64.  While the speeds are higher, most of the time, the roads are wider, have a wider shoulder, and the curves are not as sharp.  I have never been "surprised" by a bicycle on 64.

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