SFist: Update: Another Muni-Cyclist Accident

Chiot Moite

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 19:19:57 -0800

wow this is like being killed by a unicorn. awesome!!

LubaSF

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 10:02:06 -0800

I live across the street from where this happened and was one of the first people on the scene. According to the two witnesses at the scene, the MUNI BUS RAN THE STOP SIGN at the intersection of Great Highway. In fact, one witness was under the impression that there was no stop sign because the bus barely slowed down when making the southbound turn from Noriega to Great Highway. The victim was in the crosswalk at the time of the accident. He also had a dog with him that was taken to Animal Care and Control. To say that the man "clipped the bus" and not vice versa is not accurate according to the two witnesses on the scene. Also, it should be noted that the "veteran" bus driver that was driving the bus looked quite old. Most people on the scense commented that the driver appeared to be too old to have the necessary reflexes to be driving passengers around safely. Also - he wasn't dead on the scene. He was taken to General Hospital. And I get it - the guy wasn't wearing a helmet, but that doesn't mean he deserved to be creamed by a bus that ran a stop sign.

zippy_monster

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:25:06 -0800

The evidence clearly shows that #2 is a much bigger problem. And since this is not a socialist society, if you can't afford insurance, you can't afford to drive, because of the burden that a lack of insurance places on society as a whole. How about the burden placed on society by being a reckless bicyclist? If you can't afford a helmet, maybe you ought to walk instead of riding a bike. If you're too stupid to wear a helmet, maybe you ought to not ride a bike...

daikichi

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:50:07 -0800

Um, I was kinda freaked out as I biked past dude flat-backed (and apparently dead)and surrounded by people last night, but I'm pretty sure I saw a helmet on his head...no lights though. Really sad.

bluecanary

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:45:56 -0800

If that guy is dead, my guess is no helmet would have saved him. In fact, after seeing the aftermath of severe brain injuries, I would say that had he been wearing a helmet, he might be in even worse shape. But yes, people should wear helmets. And buses should not kill people.

sagitta100

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:45:25 -0800

There is no "16-X" Muni bus. That sounds more like some kind of stealth fighter jet. What you're probably grasping for is either the 16AX or 16BX Muni express line. I've repeatedly written the SFMTA about 16BX drivers going to fast and not even slowing down for stop signs in the Outer Sunset. But even with a fatality like this, I'm sure the practice will continue unabated.

aj

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:22:05 -0800

6:30 PM: that is after sunset. (as well as IN the sunset.) So visibility was potentially an issue. As for the helmet issue, head injuries are the most common cause of death while riding a bike, so it sure stands to reason that protecting against said injuries would be a non-stupid thing to do.

ohmygolly

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:52:42 -0800

glad to see this turned into a helmet support group. i guess its not important to ask why buses keep running over cyclists.

murphstahoe

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:29:28 -0800

@zippy - the "mandatory car insurance cabal" ought to go out and pay for car insurance for those who can't afford it. 1) Lack of a helmet - you might injure yourself. 2) Lack of car insurance - you might injure someone else and not be able to compensate them. The evidence clearly shows that #2 is a much bigger problem. And since this is not a socialist society, if you can't afford insurance, you can't afford to drive, because of the burden that a lack of insurance places on society as a whole. 6 months of insurance can buy a decent bike AND a helmet, allowing mobility for those who cannot afford the whole package involved in getting a car (not to mention people who live here who cannot be licensed due to their immigration status - a whole 'nother conversation). But if you are poor, you are probably willing to forego the helmet to your own detriment (much like poor people who get their hands on an unregistered car are willing to drive around uninsured).

roleur

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:31:42 -0800

No, wearing a helmet won't save you from getting hit (and according to one study, it might actually increase your likelihood of getting hit). What might prevent you from getting hit in the first place are some bright colors, and reflective tape and lights at night. To protect your own head or not, that's your business. To make your self visible, that's your duty.

what

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:21:43 -0800

WTF? Riding without a helmet is the only way I get my hair dry in the morning.

zippy_monster

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:15:29 -0800

murphstahoe: maybe the "mandatory car insurance cabal" ought to go out and pay for car insurance for those who can't afford it. Oh.

zippy_monster

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:14:42 -0800

Maybe someone who lacks enough common sense to wear a helmet also lacks the common sense to avoid the large blind spots of a bus. Who knows...

gjtorikian

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:13:43 -0800

e⋅lu⋅sive /ɪˈlusɪv/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [i-loo-siv] Show IPA Pronunciation –adjective 1. eluding clear perception or complete mental grasp; hard to express or define: an elusive concept. 2. cleverly or skillfully evasive: a fish too elusive to catch. Please explain how the bus was this.

bottombracket

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:04:24 -0800

After colliding with anti-bike sentiment, Brock Keeling isn't worth a shit.

murphstahoe

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:57:19 -0800

while there certainly is a population of fixie-hipsters in cycling caps sans helmet, most cyclists seen without a plastic/styrofoam chapeau in this city are people who probably "can't afford" a helmet. The "WEAR A GODDAMN HELMET" cabal should feel free to organize a charity to donate some. It might be a tough sell getting the winos at 6th/Mission to doff one on their crackheads, but maybe those at 24th and Mission might be more amenable.

stanthecaddy

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:47:34 -0800

seriously, put on a helmet.

Brock Keeling

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:45:06 -0800

no other minority or oppressed group will even know the pain of the cyclist. your pain is felt, two-wheeled angels.

bottombracket

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:41:52 -0800

why is does it always seem to be reported "cyclist collided with X..." and not "...X collided with cyclist"? Or how about "...X and cyclist collided"?

sfdely

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:39:30 -0800

OH MY GOD HE WASN'T WEARING A HELMET THANKS FOR PUTTING IT IN BOLD. I MEAN, WHO CARES ABOUT THE REST OF THE FACTS OF THE COLLISION? HE WASN'T WEARING A HELMET! DIDN'T YOU KNOW THAT HELMETS CREATE AN INVISIBLE FORCE-FIELD AROUND CYCLISTS THAT PROTECT THEM FROM ALL MOTORISTS, PROJECTILES, AND FUNDAMENTAL LAWS OF PHYSICS? BY GOD, THE IDIOT. IF ONLY HE HAD KNOWN A CHEAP STYROFOAM HAT COULD HAVE KEPT A BUS FROM RUNNING A STOP SIGN AT SPEED AND PLOWING INTO HIM IN A CROSSWALK!

rammstew

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:39:17 -0800

I don't want to place blame anywhere because there is not enough information, but all cyclists, myself included, can and should mitigate their injuries by wearing a helmet. You may look hip while cruising on your fixie in your Gatsby golf hat but it isn't worth risking your life. Wear a helmet and look cool later.