A group of six triathletes were hit while training on their bikes this morning. Three are dead, three more injured. Unbelievable.

 

First, that is sad. Truly horrible. There aren't words that can correctly express the sentiment.

However, that said, I don't, and will not, understand why bicyclists insist on sharing the roads... on high speed highways. I wouldn't ride on plenty of 30MPH roads, much less 55 (90km/h = 56mph.) That's just being both *crazy* and *arrogant*, in thinking that YOU, a skinny bicycle and person, can always be seen and avoided.

I don't care for the share the road laws... You aren't supposed to be on TGV rails for a reason, and at an airport, the **AIRPLANES** have the right of way at all times, also for the same reason: they are *BIGGER* and they will KILL YOU if they can't stop in time. So let them pass, or die.

I use this rule in a parking lot for my personal safety: it makes NO sense when I can stop on a dime to insist that the 2 ton vehicle stop for me instead. The plethora of Others will walk right in front of a car and make it stop. This concept is ludicrous. (I also know people will do this, and *creep* around in a parking lot when driving so as to avoid everyone, the walkers AND the other cars. People are stupid, and also, apparently, **** inconsiderate and hurried in everyway in a parking lot. I hate them a lot.)

I'm all for bicyclists having proper bike lanes made... I don't even like them on the shoulders, to be honest. But they knew what they were getting into, and went and did it anyway... It's just sad it happened to end this way for them.

/I know it sounds a little callous... and maybe it is. I don't mean it to be, it's just my thoughts on the idea in general, since it's brought up.

 

**** thats very sad

 

The municipality had been asking for the shoulder to be paved on that stretch of road since 2003. Apparently it was due to be done this Fall.

I wouldn't group these people with the more typical urban cyclists and weekend warriors. These are/were serious athletes.

This is something that is hard to deal with for people who have to train for 80-100km is that there just aren't that many paved bike paths that can be used, and most of those have speed limits well below what these riders go at. These people were riding through the countryside, where ALL roads have speed limits of 50 mph minimum. WTF can they do.

 

The cyclists were part of a group that was traveling in several small packs. The other riders who were interviewed for TV all said they would prefer not to be on that stretch of road, but there isn't anything else available an the area.

 

I can never understand why a bike lane and sidewalk isn't mandatory along any stretch of non-highway. Seems like to small a price to put on someone's life.

 

Last year, my brother was competing. The road was closed to traffic and a highways agency van pulled out of a side road in front of him. John, knowing that the road was closed was looking down, not ahead. He hit the van at 35mph. The injuries were: Fractured skull, 5 broken ribs, puntured lung, collapsed lung, broken collarbone, broken arm, dislocated shoulder, dislocated sternum.

He was in a medically induced coma for 3 weeks, and he is still not fully recovered yet.

He is in good spirits though!

J

 

Wow, that is really rough. I'm glad to hear that he's on the mend. Did he suffer any (semi-)permanent brain damage?

 

Lost three more people in the 20's early this AM in a head-on. Alcohol is not considered to be a factor. All of this is a fair bit more than the usual for the area.