Comments

1
:(
2
How long until Jason Rantz and other anti-safety yahoos in the media start whining about the impact on cars of safe bike infrastructure?
3
:(
4
INSERT standard Seattle passive-aggressive bullshit about how bicyclists suck and have no place on the roads, because it slows down their SUV-ensconced lard-asses.
5
Requiescat in pace.
6
Fresh paint on the road marks where the separated bikeway will go in, and last week new separated left-turn lights got installed but are not yet in service. Not in time for this dead young woman, or for the driver who can't have imagined he'd be killing someone today. My office overlooks the spot, and I couldn't help watch while they put the sheet over her, as the truck driver being interviewed by SPD broke away to puke into a nearby planter. Horrible, horrible.
7
I love seeing bicycle infrastructure go in. Sharing the road can sometimes be difficult, but it is so much easier when bikes have proper lanes, cycle tracks, signals, etc. It clarifies the rules and makes things safer for everyone, drivers included.
8
I admire how many ride bicycles in Seattle and many are day by day commuters. Riding is healthy exercise and helps make our atmosphere cleaner than combustion engine.
9
That fucking bike lane is worse than none at all.
10
unfortunately, the paint going down looks like the bike lane will be on the left of 2nd, meaning the bike lane is still in the path of left-turning vehicles at that intersection.

http://q13fox.com/2014/08/29/bicyclist-s…
According to police, the driver of a large box truck was headed south on 2nd Avenue and turned left on University Street, hitting the cyclist.
11
If you want to volunteer to be an ambassador for the protected bike lanes on September 8-9, you can sign up here: http://org2.salsalabs.com/o/5719/p/salsa…

They're installing the pilot program for the protected lanes as we speak. This is tragic.
12
"people politicize cyclists"

Did you type that with a straight face?
13
I stopped riding 2nd (which is faster than all my other alternatives) entirely due to that intersection at University, it's a nightmare. The protected lane can't come fast enough.

14
I think that is the corner on Second Ave. where there's a Metro Tunnel entrance.
15
It's more than a week too late, though. Years too late.
16
vehicle turns across bicycle lanes are going to continue to be the cause of deaths - nothing is going to fix that entirely.

ride aware.
17
2nd ave is a death trap. I go super slow in that lane, assuming that a vehicle turning left is going to cut me off on every fucking corner.

Also, what @16 said. RIDE AWARE.
18
Can we maybe have a conversation about this that doesn't play into the tired political cars-vs-bikes trope, but instead focuses on how we can achieve a solution that satisfies everyone? Because it IS possible.

* Have designated bike routes on secondary streets that aren't major arterials. Bike paths on major arterials are counterproductive because they feed the illusion of safety without actually being safe.

* restrict thru car traffic on bike-designated streets. Restrict bike traffic on major car arterials.

* make bike- and pedestrian-awareness an important part of drivers license tests, especially for commercial truck drivers. Trucks are especially dangerous because bikes are low and may fall under their visibility. A good friend of our family was killed by a truck making a right turn (Bonnie Tinker, the founder of Love Makes A Family.) The truck driver couldn't see her.

* bike advocates need to start taking seriously the harm caused by rogue cyclists: illegally riding on the sidewalks and putting pedestrians at risk, riding the wrong way down one-way streets, blowing thru red lights, wearing dark clothing and having no illumination at night, riding without helmets, talking on cell phones while riding, etc. These actions feed the frustration that motorists AND pedestrians feel toward bicyclists.

The list goes on. There are constructive ways to fix these problem but identity politics are getting in the way - and frankly The Stranger is sometimes part of the problem in feeding the unhelpful cars-vs-bikes narrative.
19
I'm glad to not see any trolls yet in these comments. Stay safe, everyone. :(
20
This is why I'm sticking with biking for fun. Unless you have completely isolated bike pathways you run the risk of getting hit by a car.
21

Unless the whole society starts to respect the cyclists, it will simply be a dangerous activity, like ski jumping or mountain climbing.
22
@18 I don't disagree with a lot of your points but I take real issue with the secondary streets point. YES, when it makes sense bikes should be put on non-arterial streets that run parallel to arterials (ever heard of the neighborhood greenways?). But how do you propose doing this downtown?? Every street is an arterial and sadly the majority of cyclists need to go through there to get places in this city. How do you fix that?
23
The new bike lane on Second Avenue will have left turn signals. Let's hope impatient drivers can remember why these changes are appropriate and needed. Dori Monson is already bitching about "SDOT cutting 33 percent of car capacity on Second Ave. to make room for bikes", which is utter bullshit.
24
It's time for the City to realize that bike riders are Citizens, Voters, and Taxpayers.
25
@18 All good points, the only thing I would say is that riding on the sidewalk is not illegal.
26
@25: it is in Portland (at least downtown.)
27
@26 Oh, sure, it varies from city to city. In Seattle though, where this happened and where we are constantly fighting for better cycling infrastructure, it is not illegal to ride on the sidewalks, and in fact it can be the only safe option that cyclists have.
28
Hrm... Seattle Times throws in this about helmet status.

Michaud said it is not yet known whether the woman was wearing a helmet.
29
@18 I agree with needing to go beyond the typical rhetoric of cars v. Bicycles....but what you said is exactly what feeds it.

Riding on the sidewalk is legal in Washington state.

So is going through red lights and stop signs - this is a recent law, as control systems aren't sensitive enough to read motorcycles or bikes.

The major issue is enforcement. Trucks parking and unloading in bike lanes is illegal, yet there are never I tickets written...same with helmet laws. Yes proper planning and well-thought out urban infrastructure is highly needed, and so is funding, but education and enforcement are two major hurdles.

I've been assaulted by a ped for riding on the sidewalk...this isn't a bike v cars trope. It's just a general ignorance and insecurity around riding a bicycle that prevents proper implementation of these lanes and laws.

If everyone had to take a test along with their driver's exam ON a bicycle, people may better understand the exposed nature of being a bike commuter.

"Riding aware" and "deal with the fact that some day you may be hit" is simply another example of blaming the victim - which in this case is really never the driver or pedestrian and almost always the bicyclist.

30
@22: as a city grows, its traffic patterns need to keep up. The vehicular mix is changing. I suggest closing a couple of downtown streets to car traffic and making them bike/ped concourses. That's what Portland did to SE 4th south of Market St.

I also suggest police start getting serious about ticketing cars blocking bike lanes, and ticketing cyclists who make jack moves like riding the wrong way down the street and blazing thru stoplights. It's a package deal. I do think bikes should be permitted to treat stop signs as if they were yield signs on quiet secondary streets, but that should be indicated on the signs so that it's clear to everyone.
31
Terrible. I ride 2nd Ave several times a week. I always take the center lane. Sometimes drivers honk at me, even though I'm going 25mph.

That bike lane is so fucking dangerous. I don't know if having it "protected" will make it all that much safer. Drivers just don't expect bicyclists to be on their left.
32
@18 Points duly noted, but 'riding on the sidewalk' is NOT illegal. Cyclists must maintain a safe speed and always yield, but sidewalks are fair game for cyclists.
33
@29,
Ummm, you have stop signs that detect vehicles ? Do they disappear ?

Also, that bill was specifically about motorcycles and they needed to wait through a complete cycle.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.…
34
riding on the sidewalk is not illegal, but just about as dangerous, crossing traffic is still crossing the sidewalk. plus it will take you over 30 minutes to ride through town at a walking pace. I can do Stewart to the stadiums in under 5 minutes on the road.
35
I hate that intersection. I don't cycle through it, but sometimes I turn left there on the rare day that I drive to work. I am constantly terrified of hitting a cyclist there. Both parties have to be _super_ aware of the situation to avoid an accident, but drivers especially.
36
@24 ...and legitimate road users. Remember, cyclists have a RIGHT to use the roads, drivers are granted the PRIVILEGE to operate a motor vehicle on the roads when they earn a drivers license.
37
@29: once a city starts having a critical mass of bike options, riding on the sidewalk should be illegal. The cyclist is putting pedestrians at risk because 19 times out of 20 the cyclist does not sound their bell or give a verbal warning when passing the pedestrian. Furthermore, cars don't know what to expect when bikes are both on the road and on the sidewalk. Riding in the road, the cyclist is expected to obey the traffic rules. But sidewalks really don't have rules; riding on the sidewalk encourages a "I'll do what I damn well please" mentality in a segment of the biking community, and confuses cars when bikes come shooting out into tntersections from sidewalks.

I get that not all cities have the bike infrastructure to get away from riding on the sidewalk as yet, but there should be an understanding that riding on sidewalks is not preferred and should be discouraged.
38
@18 regarding your point about "rogue" cyclists...

First, what do you suggest bike advocates do to help change this behavior? As an example, I've asked people biking with no lights on trails to please get lights. Responses range from silence, to "whatever" to "Fuck you!".

Second, many of the behaviors you mentioned (running lights/stop signs, going the wrong way on one ways, being on cell phones and not paying attention) are also "rogue" driver behaviors. When I first moved to Seattle, I was surprised to notice that the number of drivers who forget to turn their lights on at night was noticeably higher than anywhere else I've lived. I've nearly been hit while riding multiple times by cab drivers who roll through stop signs. Or cabs making a U turn and not paying attention. In fact, a friend of mine was just hit that way a couple weeks ago. Cars often speed up to pass me, then brake hard to turn in front of me, rather than just waiting that extra 35 seconds.

I do think you make some excellent points, but I think it's important that we focus less specifically on bad cyclist behavior and discuss how to encourage everyone in all modes of transit to behave like there are others out there. Even pedestrians walking into the street while texting, or darting out from behind parked cars, are dangerous to everyone. We are all the perpetrators and the victims.
39
This poor woman has been dead less than three hours and you are already using her as a platform from which to rant and say "I told you so". A perfect chance to exhibit your "journalistic" prowess by re-posting an article you already wrote as if it changes anything. 3 hours. Less at the time of writing. 3 hours and you're thumbing your nose at people.
You should be ashamed.
Your opinion of infrastructure and politics is totally irrelevant right now. She is dead. At a minimum, you owe her and loved ones the decency of at least removing her body from the street before you step over it to yell and prove a point. I cannot believe what I just read. Absolutely disgusting and without humanity.
40
King County Metro has blood on their hands. I emailed the city several years ago, asking why the 2nd Ave bike lane is on the left side of the road. I was told it was because bus drivers didn't want to have to deal with bicyclists when making stops.

It won't bring her back, but I hope the cyclist's loved ones sue the shit out of Seattle, King County, whomever for designing a road this dangerous.
41
@10 ... there will be left turn arrows installed at every EASTBOUND intersection on 2nd ave.

drivers wanting to turn left off of 2nd will have a red arrow when the cycle light is green and the pedestrian crossing lights are lit.

Also, 2nd and Pike will have an all-cross light cycle where no turns will be permitted allowing cyclists to get from the Pike S. bike lane onto 2nd ave.
42
@18: it's not illegal to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk, if done slowly enough to not endanger pedestrians. Sidewalk riders are usually timid riders (possibly just smart?), don't see very many terrorizing any one.

@29: "So is going through red lights and stop signs - this is a recent law, as control systems aren't sensitive enough to read motorcycles or bikes."

It's only legal if the light does two full cycles without giving clearance. I've heard so many people claim cyclists are allowed to run any red light and not only is that untrue, it's also dangerous and perpetuating conflict between motorists/legal cyclists and rogue cyclists.
43
@21

"Nordic ski-jumping fatalities are rare events. Six jumping fatalities have occurred in the United States during the past 50 years."
44
@38: what can bike advocates do to change jack moves? Well, a good start would be recognizing that bikes/cars/pedestrians are all in this together, and that we are all going to have to compromise and cooperate if we want to solve it.
45
@37 it's already illegal to ride bikes on sidewalks in a manner that endangers pedestrians. It's not legal to ride on sidewalks aggressively. And honestly, there's plenty people I see riding on sidewalks that simply belong here. They are moving too slow to be safe in the street
46
#42

it's not illegal to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk


I believe the RCW says that it is illegal to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk in business districts.

For example, I was pulled over (by a bike cop) for riding my bike on the sidewalk at Kent Station. However, I regularly ride on the sidewalk through residential neighborhoods here with impunity (it is my preferred way to travel second only to non-motorized paths like the Green River Trail).

47
SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE 11.44.120 RIDING ON A SIDEWALK OR PUBLIC PATH.

Every person operating a bicycle upon any sidewalk or public path shall operate the same in a careful and prudent manner and a rate of speed no greater than is reasonable and proper under the conditions existing at the point of operation, taking into account the amount and character of pedestrian traffic, grade and width of sidewalk or public path, and condition of surface, and shall obey all traffic control devices. Every person operating a bicycle upon a sidewalk or public path shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian thereon, and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian.

LEGAL.

http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/bi…
48
This is terrible. I ride a 36 year old motorcycle in Seattle virtually every day year round. I ride fast and I'm pretty aggressive. Having said that I'd say the average bicyclist has more balls than I do. It does seem just so damn dangerous. I don't know that I'll ever be a bicycle commuter but I'd like everyone to at least have that as a safe option.

49
@45: as to whether riding on the sidewalk is legal, that depends on local law. Portland has been recognized as the best (or one of the best) bike cities in the country for many years running; and here it is illegal to ride on the downtown sidewalks. (We also have traffic detectors sensitive enough to pick up bicycles.) I get that it's not a perfect world and sometimes you really have no choice but to ride on the sidewalk, but it's far from a good solution.
50
@49: you're right that it depends on local law, but most of us are talking about Seattle since this is a Seattle newspaper talking about a Seattle bike accident.

Good to know about Portland, I guess. I'm not saying people should ride on the sidewalk, unless they they feel unsafe in the street and then they should adhere to SMC 11.44.120.
51
@29, WHERE ARE BICYCLES ALLOWED TO RUN RED LIGHTS IN WA LAW ? CITE IT or ADMIT YOU ARE PERPETUATING UNSAFE BEHAVIOR !

I have cited in 33 the law recently passed which specifically says motorcycles and detection equipment malfunctioning, nothing of that applies to bikes. There is a RCW about putting in signals that can detect bikes, but that's different. http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?c…
So is going through red lights and stop signs - this is a recent law, as control systems aren't sensitive enough to read motorcycles or bikes.
52
BTW, it sounds like this dangerous intersection needs a Ghost Bike.

http://www.oregonlive.com/living/index.s…
53
#47


WAC 308-330-555

Bicycles—Riding on sidewalks.

(1) No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk in a business district.


http://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?c…
54
Dear God, I hope that if I'm ever killed by a truck while riding my bike a bunch of people on SLOG won't disrespect my death by thinking it's a fine time to debate whether bikes should be allowed to ride on the sidewalk.
55
This is so sad. Rest in peace to the cyclist hit and killed on 2nd Avenue.
Totally agreed with @16, @17, @18 and others--ride, walk and drive aware.
56
@50: well, you could learn how other bike-friendly cities have solved problems exactly like this, or you can enjoy pretending that Seattle is a special snowflake. It's entirely up to you.
57
I was doored on 2nd & Madison yrs ago in left hand lane. Neither 2 nd nor 4th aves are safe!
58
#43

Would you BEE-LEEVVVE water badminton then?

59
How would a protected cycle track have prevented this accident when it appears it occurred in a crosswalk? You can't extend these barriers into crosswalks if vehicles are allowed to make left hand turns.
60
@59, it's probably likely that the impact sent her bicycle and body into the crosswalk. It's probably likely she was in the incredibly dangerous left-side bike lane. I don't know that those details have been released.
61
Whoops, nope, she was definitely in the bike lane per the Seattle Times article. But barriers wouldn't help at intersections, that much you are correct about.
62
@61 I guess I should have said intersection instead of crosswalk. I'm all for keeping cyclists as safe as possible, I'm just not sure a protected cycle track would have helped in this instance unless they're going to restrict left hand turns all the way down 2nd Avenue.
63
I saw the yellow tarp, crashed bike and stopped box truck on my last trip thru as a Metro driver. Makes me so sad--what a tragedy. A person rides where they were told to ride and gets killed for it. That left turn situation *sucks*, remains to be seen if control lights and barriers will prevent. Per comment #18, riding on arterials is the only option available thru certain areas, like downtown. Downtown I've tried riding on every north-south option from the water on up and they all suck, some of them just suck slightly less. The fact that many cyclists prefer to trade lanes with skip-stopping 15-ton buses on 3rd Ave is indicative of how bad the other options are. Sidewalk riding is dangerous, both for peds and every time you have to cross an intersection. Bikes have specific abilities and risks that are unique to bikes--they are not peds, and they are not cars, so expecting them to behave completely like either one is going to be error-prone.

On 2nd Ave, as a big-vehicle driver I'd prefer bike riders use the center lanes and ride in the middle of them, 'taking the lane'. Some riders dodge in and out of lanes or ride on very edge of a lane which makes them harder to see. There are big blind spots in large vehicles, and others' erratic movement makes it worse. If I'm not looking at a mirror at the right angle exactly when a moving something appears in it, I'll miss it. It also really helps me see cyclists when head and tail lights are used even in broad daylight, and big-ass hi-vis vests too. Make yourself as 'big' as possible; *alert* drivers to your presence. At Metro we have a motto about accidents, "Prevent the preventables". "I just didn't see them" has got to be the saddest refrain in the world.
64
The bus lane down 2nd ought to have been made a permanent bus lane, none of that temporary parking bullshit which almost always seems to result in some asshole leaving their car in the lane past 3 pm. (The last time I drove downtown I had to let two buses merge into my lane because a Prius with a Coexist bumper sticker was blocking the bus lane; oh the irony.)

Make the bus lane permanent and put the bike lane to the left of the bus lane.
65
I am so sorry for this cyclist and her friends and family. I'm in no way saying this is her fault--I have no idea what happened--but all drivers and all cyclists need to drive/ride under the assumption that everyone else is insane and is going to kill you. I see FAR more drivers pulling high-risk moves than I do cyclists, but the outcome is usually worse on a bike. And all drivers need to assume a cyclist is in their turn lane, whether it's the right or left side.
66
This is badly needed. I bike on 2nd ave 3x a week commuting and there are many delivery trucks parked overlapping the bike lane, forcing uncomfortably narrow pathways next to the busy morning traffic. Protected bike lanes, like the ones you would find in copenhagen, are proven to be safer for everyone. Seattle, let's figure out a viable solution sooner than later to make bike commuting a safe alternative to driving a car.
67
I used to ride on 2nd ave. And stopped after a couple of trips of sheer terror. We need a city safe for everyone - cyclists, pedestrians, drivers. My best thoughts go out to the cyclists family and friends. Sadder still that the protected bike lane on 2nd is not far away.
68
I just tried the new bike lanes on Broadway, and they are great! I love the bike signal. But I don't ever trust cars. You can't know if they don't see you or just don't care. The 12th and Jackson intersection particularly scares me. It's not worth it to take chances, play is safe! So sad this happened.
69
I walked up there at lunch and the intersection is still closed. At 1st & University a bike messenger going uphill on a fixey blew the red light and rode through a knot of pedestrians in the scramble. Of all days, dude. You're giving Dori Monson's ilk more ammo.
70
I am Brandon Blake, the cyclist who was hit and nearly killed, July 25th 2013 on Dexter and Harrison when an SUV slammed into me. I am still recovering from that fateful day but I consider myself one of the lucky ones (traumatic brain injury, reconstructed face and all) because I'm still alive. My heart goes out to her family and friends. Totally preventable. My days of cycle commuting are sadly over but I'll be an ambassador to this cycle track project and wish each and every one of you a safe commute each and every day. Positive thoughts to all of you and to the fallen.
71
This is the problem with bringing up the issues that bike riders occasionally break the law. They're problems, but they're also all distractions from issues where there are streets which are unsafe for any bicyclist, and motorists who do dumb unsafe shit around bikes because a bike might slow them down for 20 seconds. On my way to work I've taken to going down Yesler in the left wheel rut on the road to force cars behind me to either outright choose to murder me or to pass only when they're not going to get into a head on collision (and i've had one idiot try to pass me and nearly get into a head on collision). Not to mention the three people (including a metro bus) take a left turn when I was the oncoming traffic that right of way and try to kill me. If you've got a story or two about a bicyclist being stupid just ask anyone bicycle commutes and they'll have much better stories about themselves nearly getting murdered by idiots. The problem is not remotely symmetrical.
72
I have never used the left hand deathlane. Always the right hand traffic lane or the bus lane, where you would expect a bike to be.
73
Hello to all who are reading this. My name is Christopher and I was the co-pilot in the truck that killed that woman. I'm tearing up every five minutes thinking about this morning and that woman's body laying there face down with her helmet split in half and blood pooling and gawkers taking pictures. The driver is in ten times worse shape than I am and neither of us can believe it. I feel as if this is a bad nightmare that somehow came true and the worst part is that someone's daughter, sister, mother and friend lay dead in that intersection. I send my deepest and most sincere condolences to her family and friends and I personally apologize for not doing even more than the driver and I were doing to be safe and prevent any sort of accident, let alone one that took someone's life. To the butthole metro bus driver that clipped our mirror two blocks before, you should've stopped to avoid whatever it was forced you into our lane. And to the other folks that bogart there way through downtown traffic, please think about this woman the next time!
74
@69: 1st and University is a four-way pedestrian crossing. I'm pretty sure a cyclist has the right to "run" the red light, as long as they give the pedestrians the right of way.
75
Thank you for posting @73
76
@73: Do you know if the driver used his turn signal?
77
Why do @62 and so many others keep missing that a dedicated left-turn signal -- specifically intended to prevent this situation -- has in fact been installed, but has yet to be activated?

This should have been done years ago, with or without a protected cycle track! But now that a cycle track is going in, there also needs to be a signal for bicyclists that leaves no doubt about when cars will or won't be turning across their paths.

Meanwhile, @18, @29, and of course the Seattle Times have all concern-trolled into the discussion Seattle's favorite ever-fraudulent and victim-blaming helmet meme. No helmet will protect you from getting plowed by a truck. The road needs to be safe.
78
@74, 1st and University can't be 4 way when one arm is a pedestrian plaza.

If the cyclist is in the road/ "is a car" they are to wait for the signal like a car would. If they're "a pedestrian", they should be crossing in crosswalks with the crosswalk sign.
79

WAC 308-330-555
No agency filings affecting this section since 2003
Bicycles—Riding on sidewalks.

(1) No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk in a business district.
(2) A person may ride a bicycle on any other sidewalk or any roadway unless restricted or prohibited by traffic control devices.
(3) Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, such person shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian.
80
@70 and @73, thank you both so much for writing.

There's an updated story by the Times now: http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2…
81
@78: I referred to it as "four-way pedestrian crossing" because pedestrians are allowed to cross the intersection diagonally. When the lights are red, the entire intersection becomes a crosswalk, and since cyclists are allowed to ride in crosswalks, I see no reason why a cyclist shouldn't be allowed to cross this intersection along with pedestrians.
82
@53, @79. This is a model Code that local jurisdictions may adopt. It is not necessarily the law in any jursidiction. Somebody cited the Seattle Code earlier which would supercede this, as noted in the first section of the model Code reprinted below.

WAC 308-330-005

Purpose of this chapter.

The purpose of this chapter is to encourage highway safety and uniform traffic laws by authorizing the department of licensing to adopt a comprehensive compilation of sound, uniform traffic laws to serve as a guide which local authorities may adopt by reference or any part thereof, including all future amendments or additions thereto. Any local authority which adopts this chapter by reference may at any time exclude any section or sections from this chapter which it does not desire to include in its local traffic ordinance. This chapter is not intended to deny any local authority its legislative power, but rather to enhance safe and efficient movement of traffic throughout the state by having current, uniform traffic laws available.
83
@74: if he was 2' from me and going through a knot of about 6 other pedestrians while riding 5+ mph, is that yielding the ROW? I didn't think so.

he needed to wait at the light. if it wasn't illegal, it was discourteous. it's exactly what people complain about, and within sight of the accident location.
84
@80, thank you. All I can think about is her family, friends, loved ones. I'm broken up. I can't even imagine what they are going through right now. @73 my thoughts are with you as well. Positive thoughts to all.
85
@53 @79:

WAC 308-330 is a model traffic ordinance. It isn't binding except where municipal governments have adopted it by reference. See WAC 308-330-005 and RCW 46.90.010.
86
Thank you @82. I was going to give up. :)
88
@73 I saw y'all there, and I believe you when you say you are both broken up. I know you were comforting the driver, and I urge you to continue to do so. No one thinks this was on purpose.
89
@87,
actually, flashing lights are illegal too.

http://crosscut.com/2013/11/25/transport…
Actually, there already is a clear and decisive light regulation in the state traffic code, though almost no one concerned seems to know about it, much less enforce it. RCW 46.37.280 declares that “flashing lights are prohibited except as required in [emergency situations], warning lamps authorized by the state patrol, and light-emitting diode flashing taillights on bicycles.” (Emphasis added.) The exemption for taillights confirms that bicycle headlights are included in the prohibition.

“Wow,” said Cascade Bicycle Club’s Bobbie Phillips when I mentioned the prohibition, “I wasn’t aware….” Indeed.
90
@70- Aziza just graduated 5th grade. She still remembers you fondly. Glad to hear your alive and getting better.
91
@90 Thank you Ben!! I am so happy to hear this news and thank you so much for your best wishes. Send my best to my former preschooler Aziza. And to the rest of you, give a hug to a child today. Let them know they are loved and cared for. Life is so fragile.
92
While riding on any street, assume that any car/truck IS and WILL do the dumbest and most dangerous thing humanly possible. Expect the unexpected. Ride in the middle of the street, as a cyclist you have the right to the whole lane no matter how slow you feel like going. I'm sorry for the loss of this woman. I'm sorry for the truck driver. I believe that this city has had their head up their ass for decades. They should be held responsible and punished accordingly. Eyes up
93
As a life long cyclist, why in earth do bikers insist on skipping the cue sort of speak? I see this all the time. A bike is not a car or truck. You the cyclist has to be uber defensive when navigating a bike thru traffic. Don't try to breeze by, bike lane or no bike lane, at corners where drivers can take a turn. It's a tragedy. And the right of way rule is idiotic and only endangers cyclists. Bikes are hard to see. They get lost easily in blind spots.
95
Accidents happen. It's tragic. No need to sue the city, which is, in effect, suing yourself.

Be careful out there.
96
@73 - YOU SHOULD NOT POST ANYTHING OR DICSUSS THIS "ACCIDENT" UNTIL YOU HAVE HAD LEGAL CONSULTATION!!!! Read this from the Seattle Times:

Police haven’t established yet whether the signal Friday morning was green, yellow or red. It’s too early to determine whether today’s fatal collision was simply an accident, or the result of a traffic violation, or a crime, he said.

98
I drive almost daily into the downtown area. I live between two busy bike lanes. I have been doing this for years. The whole cyclists are bad and never follow the rules sniveling is BULLSHIT! Texting pedestrians, cell phone yammering drivers, idiots with their car asses blocking crosswalks and dumbasses driving through lights downtown are a much greater problem. From the perspective of a regular driver I can say for a fact that cyclists are a non-fucking issue. People making all the stink about cyclists are exaggerating. Grossly exaggerating. In other words they are lying.
99
@87 Second Avenue at rush hour is choked already, for quite a long while each day. I think bicycles should be able to take advantage of relatively small size in a reasonably safe way to move through traffic _faster_ than cars.

It is entirely appropriate to not subject bicycles to the same level of queuing as cars given how much less room they take up.

Maybe if we do a good job of providing reasonable infrastructure to do so, more people will leave their cars behind and commute by bicycle as a time saving advantage (which is a major motivator for me as a bicycle commuter).

I say good on the bikes, engineer and enforce signalling to avoid tragedies like the fatality today, but give more infrastructure to lower impact forms of transportation, like bicycles and buses (as we do and should do).
100
How will a protected bike lane prevent this type of accident? I have ridden 2nd Ave for many years and have found that the safest method is ride in the center lane. I may have to ride slower keeping behind other traffic, but I have no conflicts with turning vehicles.

I suggest that this bike lane be immediately closed until a new design is shown that protects cyclists from turning traffic.
101
#73 For years I used to ride a bike downtown. That lane is horrible. I only used it a couple times as a cyclist. As a driver I avoid it. It is difficult to see if a cyclist is already in the lane without having an oncoming vehicle plow into you while treating the lane like a left freeway lane. Near misses are common place and it is just dumb luck that more accidents don't happen. Condolences all the way around. Blessings to you, the driver and of course the cyclist and her loved ones.
102
The National Transportation Safety Board is now recommending regulations requiring that trucks have side guards to protect cyclists and pedestrians. China, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and countries in Europe all require them. What if, instead of asking whether a cyclist was wearing a helmet, we begin to ask whether a truck had side guards?

http://streetsblog.net/2014/06/25/ntsb-r…
103
@100 The new design includes signals to hold left turning vehicles while allowing bicycles to proceed through an intersection and visa versa. The new design can be seen here: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/2n…

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