Bad Bike News--Be Careful

There was a memorial ride for him on Saturday morning that was leaving the LBS I go to as I was walking in. Incredibly sad.

And these things can happen without people being charged because the DA's around here apparently think murder by car is perfectly ok and if you get hit by a car while you're on your bike, it's your own fault regardless of the circumstances.

He was struck by a car that reportedly crossed the white line and hit Dechau from behind as he rode along the shoulder of Routes 5 and 20. Dechau, 33, died at the scene.

Was he alone, and have they found the driver?  Persecute with extreme Prejudice.

The key phrases in our posts are similar. I said 'DA's around here apparently think' and you said  it doesn't 'appear to be the cyclists fault'. I didn't say 'they do believe'. Appearances are important. Without further information, they're all we have to go on and they will form the foundations of our opinions and actions.

I believe it is incumbent upon the authorities to explain why it isn't criminal. Otherwise, the community at large is left with the following:

1- driver didn't exercise due care with their vehicle
2- crossed a solid line
3- hit and kill a bicyclist from behind who was riding exactly where he was supposed to be
4- there are no criminal consequences
5- No explanation is given why not
= it's ok to run down bicyclists

From a legal standpoint, I'm sure there are all sorts of things taken into consideration that are not apparent to the public at large or those without any legal training.

From a public safety standpoint, letting this chain of circumstances stand as is with no explanation as to why the driver bears no criminal responsibility for killing a man with a young family is unjust and a declaration of open season on bicyclists.

Had this tragedy been the result of use of a firearm rather than a motor vehicle, it's reasonable to assume that an announcement that charges are not being brought would also be accompanied by an explanation as to why not. The fact that a motor vehicle was the instrument of death rather than a firearm shouldn't result in a different response to the community.

I tried to find out earlier this year from a local DA's office why a similar case resulted in no charges being filed and I received no response. Silence from authorities in these cases equates with tacitly stating that violence committed on bicyclists with cars is ok. It's declaring to the community at large that the life of someone on a bicycle has no value.

 No one's advocating that people be convicted based on the sentiment of a few cyclists, but we are absolutely entitled to know the reasons why someone can mow us down with a motor vehicle and not be held responsible.

If every death like this one carried a prison sentence, a lot more people (cyclist) would be alive.  Make people responsible then they would pay more attention and think. 

That's great information, thanks. It makes sense.

However, I respectfully disagree with the conclusion that crossing the white line at 50 mph in a >1000 lb motor vehicle onto the shoulder of the road where the presence of people can be expected doesn't meet the stated definition of culpable negligence.

The driver in this case couldn't or wouldn't give a reason as to why she veered to the right. Message to the community: It's ok to kill people on bicycles. You don't even need to try to explain it. Just hit them. It's ok.

I also believe that a simple "no charges will be filed" with no explanation as to why not is the equivalent of granting an open license to hunt bicyclists with cars.

A similiar situation but not quite- recently a young girl (I think middle schol or high school) was hit and kileld by a car.  She was crossing a busy road after school after getting off a bus.  The lady who hit her isn't going to be charged because the girl was J-walking.  Ok- I understand that because she wasn't crossing where she should have been.

But...if a cyclist is abiding the traffic laws and is hit by a car, the driver still isn't charged with something?  That's basically saying that if you're a driver it's ok to hit a cyclist because nothing will happen (except for the guilt of course)?  Surely people need to pay attention to everyone on the road, regardless if the person is in a car or on a bike.

This is so sad- it seems like there has been alot of car/bike accidents lately.  It makes me think twice about riding my bike on roads.

That's great information, thanks. 

Thanks.