We didn’t Start the Fire!

With the weather cooling down and NMSU back into full swing, unwelcomed confrontations between cyclists and motorists are sure to increase. Unfortunately, public sympathy is hardly on the side of the bicyclist. This is evident in the case of Anthony Lemieux, who was killed while riding on the correct side of a designated bicycle facility. The perpetrator, 23-year-old Stephanie Parra-Perez, was never investigated nor fined. No investigation into whether she was on the phone or texting at the time of the incident was ever conducted. In other words, she got away with murder.

In our auto-centric society, cyclists in general are view as second class citizens who are not entitled to utilizing the roads. A completely false sentiment that is deplorably shared by many in the law enforcement community, as I have witnessed. Sorry folks, all those expensive bicycles dangling on the back of squad cars (that tax payer money purchased) are hardly used… and it’s pathetic when they do! I have witnessed trained bicycling officers of the law riding on the sidewalk on the wrong side of the road which is most dangerous, illegal, and sets a very bad example. If you ever see a Las Cruces city bicycling officer at night, note that they don’t use their legally required lights, another terrible example for them to set.

Since a very minute percentage of society ever ride their bikes past the end of the street, coupled with ideals mentioned above; bicycle-automobile collisions have become a very hot topic. On most occasions, fault is automatically attributed to the cyclists. Tragically, many will never be able to tell their side of the story, as in Mr. Lemieux’s case. Read the Las Cruces Sun News article of this incident for an excellent example of backwards finger pointing.

Now, a report published by the University of Toronto’s Dr. Chris Cavacuiti of the department of family and community medicine and staff physician at St. Michael’s Hospital states otherwise. His research suggested that 9 out of 10 collisions are cause by the driver.

The most common type of crash in this study involved a motorist entering an intersection and either failing to stop properly or proceeding before it was safe to do so. The second most common crash type involved a motorist overtaking unsafely. The third involved a motorist opening a door onto an oncoming cyclist. The study concluded that cyclists are the cause of less than 10 per cent of bike-car accidents in this study.

This study does coincide with my feelings about bicycle-auto collisions, as we are at a massive disadvantage going up against a two-ton hunk of steel. What does Dr. Cavacuiti recommend? Better trained enforcement and public education, similar to whats seen in many European countries. I would also like to see our local law enforcement receive extensive training on the matter and for the civic leaders to appreciated what better cycling infrastructure can do to our community.

Until then… keep your eyes peeled people!

See what the Doctor says…

Tags: Bicycle safety, Rights and Duties, Sustainability, Transportation

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