It seems that as the weather is warming across the country, we are hearing more about incidents involving motorists and cyclists. Whether you are pro, or a local commuter, a distracted, careless, or angry driver could put you in harms way just as much as a cyclist disobeying the traffic laws. There are ways to protect yourself, and other cyclists around you, and keep the roads safe for everyone.
Recently, there have been at least three incidents in the area I live in. One involving an aspiring junior rider, another a teammate of mine, and most recently involving a local club rider. There have been other high profile incidents across the country, but I choose to focus on these three as they highlight three unique riders with stories of varying circumstances that we all face.
On April 11th, Peter Harris (Young Medalists) was out for ride almost a week after racing the Tour of Battenkill. It was a shakedown ride to prepare for the Daniel Harwi Memorial 27th Annual Lower Providence Spring Classic Criterium on Sunday. Not far from home, a SUV pulled out in front of him crossing a busy intersection in Lititz, PA, which Harris broadsided at speed. The driver was waved through the intersection by another driver when Harris collided with the passenger side. There were no indications that he had time to brake before he shattering one of the SUV’s windows on impact.
The driver stopped in the middle of the intersection and immediately rushed to Harris’ aid, supporting his head and holding a towel against a significant cut in his neck. He was transported to Lancaster General Hospital with traumatic brain injury and lacerations from the crash. News of his recovery has been spread with frequent updates by his parents on CaringBridge.org, and have told the positive progress he has made since the crash.  On the 23rd, Harris was transported from the ICU to a rehab facility where he continued to make strides towards recovery, but still has a long way to go.
That same weekend, a teammate of mine, Gale Hess (Thru-It-All Cycling Team) was out for a training ride with other racers in the area. While riding in a paceline of five riders, a driver sped past them, and stopped ahead at an intersection. He continued to wait at the intersection for no apparent reason. The riders slowly passed the driver on the shoulder, and proceeded cautiously through the intersection.
As they continued along their route, the driver came up next to them and shouted angrily at the group, which was now riding 2-up on a road with a small shoulder. In Pennsylvania, the riders were following the law. The driver then proceeded to just about cut Hess off as he sped away. Besides a knock to the hand from a minibike on the back of the vehicle, there were no injuries. Hess eventually peeled off and continued towards home.
Hess was traveling down the hill of a country road towards an intersection when he looked over his shoulder to make sure the road was clear to make the left hand turn. A vehicle pulled up to the stop sign and patiently waited for the rider to make the turn. With a car a safe distance behind him, Hess moved from the shoulder to the center of the lane, and gestured he was making a left hand turn as he slowed to prepare for the turn. Just as he arrived at the intersection, he heard the squeal of tires locking up behind him. Next thing he knew, he was rolling across the intersection.
The driver of the car behind him failed to slow and could not stop in time. Hess was also transported to Lancaster General Hospital, but was lucky to come away with just scrapes, bruises, and some damaged equipment.
More recently, on April 28th, Diane Lausman and another Lancaster Bicycle Club rider were out for a late morning ride. The two were just blocks from her Lancaster home on a quiet neighborhood street when a driver crossed in front of the two trying to make a left hand turn. The 87 year old driver of the white Volvo sedan clearly cut across a double yellow line ahead of the intersection to try and make the turn ahead of the riders.
Warning, the following video contains graphic material.
As Lausman lay in the road, her riding partner called 911 for an ambulance. She was transported to Lancaster General Hospital and underwent immediate surgery. Doctors diagnosed her with multiple fractures, two broken ribs, two broken ankles, a shattered left wrist, and brakes above and below her left knee. Lausman will face multiple surgeries in the future with an estimated six months to a year of recovery.
In each of these cases, riders were obeying traffic laws when the incidents happened, with different types of drivers involved. In Harris’ case and the driver involved and his family both believe that neither party had seen the other, and it was just an unfortunate accident. The driver involved has been in contact with Harris’ parents, and expressed her deep grief for what has happened. For Hess, it was a disgruntled driver that initially almost brought him down, and most likely a distracted driver that eventually did. Lausman was taken down by a careless driver.
Cyclists cannot control the actions of drivers, but there are many things that can be done.
Be Seen
When you are preparing to go out for a ride, find ways to make yourself stand out on the road. Something as simple as a blinking forward and rear facing light during the day can get motorist’s attention. Helmets like the Louis Garneau Course come with a small light that attaches to the adjustment dial of the helmet’s retention system. Other helmets might not offer lights, but come in bright, eye catching colors. Giro and Rudy Project both offer helmets in bright, fluorescent colors.
Even something as simple as adding fluorescent colored socks, gloves, or shoe covers can help catch motorist’s attention. When riding in the early morning or evening, forward and rear facing lights, and bright color clothing and accessories will help make you seen.
Ride Smart
Make sure that you are current on your state and local traffic laws concerning bicycles. In some areas where bicycle lanes are available, cyclists must ride in them. If there are no designated lanes, riders may be allowed to ride two riders abreast. Make sure you know what is legal, because not all motorists will know, or care, what is legal. If riding on a busy road, it might make sense to ride single file, no matter what the law states. Most importantly, obey the laws while riding. Stop at stop signs and lights, ride with the flow of traffic, and be courteous to others using the road. Don’t give drivers a reason to to be angry with you, and turn it into a stereotype for all cyclists.
Protect Yourself
I feel bad saying that inevitably there will be an accident, but unfortunately, that is currently a reality. There are various ways to help first responders in the event of a crash, and to document what happened.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_IaEpQSuUI
Items like a RoadID or ICEdot can not only alert loved ones to an accident, but also provide first responders with information like your name, address, medical history, and emergency contacts. Personally, I rarely ride without my ICEdot, and have worn my RoadID on and off the bike for years. Other products like GoPro or Contour cameras can help to document an incident, like the video above for Lausman.
Advocacy
There are organization out there that are working to promote safe driving and cycling. Groups like Look! Save A Life and Yield To Life are just a few that work to make the road safer for everyone. Other campaigns like 3 Feet Please have come up with visual reminders to drivers that many states and countries have laws requiring drivers to pass at least three feet, or a meter, away from cyclists. If you are looking to join a group, USA Cycling offers a list of advocacy organizations with varying goals on their website. Even contacting your local, state, and federal government representatives can be a positive step in the right direction to demand change on the road.
By no means is this a comprehensive list of things that can be done. Feel free to add more suggestions, or tell your story below in the comments section.
Ride safe, ride smart, and ride on.
Heckling Editor, Image Taker, Crash Test Dummy, and Beard Master at Bikeworldnews.com
~Veggie Powered Athlete~
Location – Lancaster, PA
Current Testing Rigs – 2024 Van Dessel Arch65, 2019 Van Dessel Full Tilt Boogie, 2018 Van Dessel Motivus Maximus LTD, 2016 Van Dessel Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, 2015 Bianchi Sempre Pro, 1978 Trek TX900
Dream Bike – I’ll tell you when they make it
Discipline – Cyclocross, gravel, road and duathlons (ride/run)
Favorite Rides – Quiet country roads of Amish Country, some of the best roads around.
Food of Choice – Sweet potato roll
Beer of Choice – Unibroue Grand Reserve 17, aged four years
Bourbon of Choice – Widow Jane 10 Year
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