Last July on a Friday at approximately 7:45 am, an experienced bicyclist riding westbound on Wilshire Ave. and crossing Harbor Blvd. in downtown Fullerton, and wearing a bright neon yellow helmet and backpack, was hit by an automobile traveling eastbound on Wilshire Ave., which suddenly made a left turn in front of the bicyclist, hitting them and knocking them to the ground.
The only witness called 911, and within minutes, three police cruisers, an ambulance, and a fire truck appeared on the scene. Thankfully, although the bicyclist chose to be taken to the ER by ambulance, they sustained no serious injuries…
However, the FPD blamed that bicyclist for the accident, because the bicyclist allegedly rode their bicycle in the crosswalk to cross Harbor Blvd., and if a bicyclist rides in any part of the crosswalk to cross any street—even if they are going straight through—they supposedly give up their right-of-way privilege (not so if the bicyclist walks their bicycle across the street in the crosswalk)…
Furthermore, even though, according to the police report, the driver did not see the bicyclist (their view was blocked by the “A pillar” of their car), that driver was not charged with negligence.
And despite the best efforts of this bicyclist and a well-known bicycling advocate of Fullerton to plead their case, the police chief remained steadfast in his support of the police report’s conclusions…
The intention of this article is not to alienate the Fullerton Police Department from anyone who enjoys riding their bicycle within the boundaries of this city, or vice versa; rather, it seeks to build a more positive relationship between the bicycling community and the FPD that, in the opinion of this writer, has considerable room for improvement.
If that bicyclist had suffered more substantial injuries or had been killed by that driver, it is assumed that the driver would still not have been charged with negligence, and that “not seeing” the bicyclist would have excused the driver, in the eyes of the FPD…Does that mean that since automobiles are larger and a more “conventional” means of transportation than bicycles, drivers are more privileged than bicyclists, and that their lives are more valuable than those of bicyclists?
My message to bicyclists is, don’t assume that if you’re hit by an automobile, that you will be held blameless by law enforcement…and don’t assume the police will charge that driver with negligence because the driver “didn’t see you”, or because they didn’t bother to look around their “A pillar.”
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Categories: Community Voices, Health, Local News
Wilshire Ave. is a designated Bicycle Blvd. with sharrows (share the road with cyclists) lane markings between Woods and Acacia. How did police determine that the cyclist was in the crosswalk?
The FPD got it right this time. These aggressive bicyclers need to follow the rules that’s what the author should be saying.
This is a prime example of how, sadly, some in our society will find any reason to blame bicyclists for any and all incidents.
Riding in the crosswalk is not good practice but it’s not necessarily “aggressive.” In this case it “sounds like* the opposite, where the rider is giving too much room to the vehicle so they can pass.
Better to take your lane / stand your ground as you go through the intersection.
Anyone on a scooter or bicycle that transits the crosswalk should walk it because drivers do not or cannot see you pop out into the crosswalk. If you don’t want to walk it the only right way is vehicular cycling where you take your lane, signal, ride on the right side of the street, use turning lanes like other slow moving vehicles.
The solution is simple: get rid of unprotected left turns.
So it is ok to run over a cyclist who happens to be in the crosswalk? Really??
What about a 12 year old? Or a teenager on a skateboard? Open season on anyone on wheels that is not a car?
Of course it’s not OK to run people over if you see them, ever. But if you ride in the crosswalk you’re creating a high probability that drivers will not see you.
A good driver turning left will look in the crosswalk and at the corners for pedestrians about to enter and not proceed until the crosswalk is clear.
But a bicyclist traveling at a normal speed won’t be at the corner when the driver looks, they may be obstructed by other things, so the driver will proceed, and there can be a collision.
A safe cyclist will either walk the bike across the street or else take their space normally in the rightmost lane, like any other slow moving vehicle so that other drivers can see them.
This article is difficult to understand. I would suggest work on improving you writing skills. For instance, the whole first paragraph is one long sentence.
Think about poetry or singing or where you want to take a breath or digest one concept at a time.
It’s important to paint an image early on so you don’t tire the reader who’s taking in all the information but waiting for the main concept to take place. That’s what an introduction is for to set the theme f right off the bat and build suspence ….like beethoveens 5th .
Would love to see your piece rewritten because I think I’m interested in what your communicating or at least trying to .
It’s a cross walk not a cross ride your bike. Don’t expect drivers to yield even when they’re supposed to. Be aware, observe all areas of risk. Never do anything unexpexcted and always expect the opposite from the inexperienced, over medicated, dangerously distracted drivers!