As sad as the death of Alice Swanson has been, the level of genuine interest in understanding what happened so that a repeat occurrance can be avoided has been very encouraging. As I posted yesterday, it’s appearing that the driver (in a large garbage truck) failed to see her in the bike lane next to him, and turned right into her, across her path. This is a situation that I think most of us who have used bike lanes have encountered. The solution I’ve arrived at – beyond the hypervigilance any rider should have – is to move to take the lane before any intersection. This puts you squarely in view of the driver behind you while barring the possibility of there being a vehicle next to you in a position to come across in front of you.
There are many different situations that require different tactics, of course. Yesterday, I linked to Dave Zabriske’s Yield to Life foundation, and they have some excellent tips – both for cyclists *and* motorists. As many have suggested, there’s also a role for larger education campaigns aimed at both groups. But in the end, I think it’s primarily a cultural issue – we simply have to be more aware of others. There’s no special societal prescription for that, I’m afraid. But whatever the path to it is, I bet it starts with each of us.
Recommended resources:
Bicycle Safe – Some excellent situational analysis, recommending smart tactics. Worth a quick look.
Lane Control video – A very informative video illustrating the benefits of taking the lane (from Cyclistview.com) I learned a few things from it. About 10 minutes.
Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute – Helmets aren’t a guarantee, but they’re a damn smart hedge.
Related posts:
- The Facts of Alice Swanson’s Death
- DC Cyclist Killed
- Weighing in at Washcycle
- Gwadz recounts the difference that seconds make
Photo couresty Ryan Dudek
MB
One more tip – don’t be so angry.
Mike
Does anyone know if Alice’s family has designated a charity or something for donations in her memory?