BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

Somehow, these things need to be recorded for the sake of the statistics.

Also, she should have gone to the hospital. Sometimes injuries aren't apparent right away.

Sorry to hear about your wife's accident. I ride through that intersection all the time, and in that area in general. I've come to think of those trucks with landscaping trailers as deathmobiles. I don't know if they're extra stressed out in trying to get to the next job or what, but I've seen them go way too fast and drive in a way that makes me think they're completely oblivious of me*, either that or have zero concern about the notion of flattening me and my bike. I had one nearly run me off the road on Beechwood a while back - coming from Squirrel Hill toward Greenfield, that place where Beechwood turns left and I think it's Morrowfield you can branch off onto. Same scenario, I'm to the right (in the bike lane) going straight, he was to the left of me making a right. (Well, not exactly the same scenario - we weren't stopped, he was coming up from behind, and there was that weird road-bends/driving-straight-actually-takes-you-onto-another-street-situation. Also, of course, my bike and I were spared.

*and I generally ride in some hideous bright/fluorescent color that most people stop me to tell me how hard it is to miss.

I hope she heals fast!

I have a similar attitude toward accidents. I've been banged up a couple of times, and I've never filed a report. First time, I was hit by a cab, and the driver filed the appropriate report with his company, and I received compensation for the repairs necessary to my bike. The second time, I think fault was shared (we both kinda ran a stop sign), so neither of us wanted to press the case, as I was okay.

On the other hand, having a police report, even if you aren't pressing charges, is beneficial in case the driver suddenly decides to be uncooperative.

Glad to hear your wife is okay.

First, I'm glad this didn't turn out nearly as bad as it could have. And it's good to hear that the guy seemed to be genuinely concerned. Its all too common that a cyclist is in an accident with a careless motorist who automatically blames the cyclist and throws a fit about it, not even stopping to think for a second about the other's well being. Props to him for taking responsibility and going out of his way to try to make right what he can.

But then again, WTF is he thinking going right from the left lane?! You just don't do that, at all, and especially with a trailer on the back of your vehicle that will block the lane for even longer. That's just begging to cause an accident. People need to start thinking a little more.

I am the wife...

Here are my 2 cents. My first reaction was anger, yelling at the guy (the WTF sentiment above). He was immediately deferential and his concern was about my health. My main concern honestly was my bike. My immediate reaction was to call the cops but the guy begged me not to. He looked so forlorn and remorseful and was so worried about police involvement. He offered to pay for a new bike (which I wasn't going to just trust) and I really felt like I was ok.

I liked the guy, even though he was young and dumb. I didn't want him to get in trouble or potentially mess with his livelyhood.

Also, I felt like I dealt with the situation human to human rather than creating a contentious situation between us which for one thing may cause him to have a more negative image of cyclists. He willingly drove me to the shop and paid for the repairs upftront (I think he also realizes how much worse it could have been for him financially). I spent the hour and a half post accident with this guy and took the oppurtunity to discuss cycling advocacy with him at length. I think he will be more careful at that intersection and have a greater awareness and concern for cyclists in the future. I would rather educate him than penalize him.

I would rather educate him than penalize him.

+1

If lingering injuries come up later requiring medical attention or rehab you are on the hook for the expenses. It's important to fill out a report with the police if injuries occur. This guy although nice needs to be more aware of his road sense. You don't make a a right turn from the left lane. If it was a car hitting your car you know you would want it reported to your insurance. I hope you got his name, license and insurance info just in case. YOU CAN STILL FILE A REPORT AFTER THE FACT.

He willingly provided all of his info. I will monitor myself for any injuries that may crop up, but I think I am okay. I did tell him that I would contact him if anything else should come up that he would need to be responsible for. I agree that he needs to be more aware of his road sense and I think he agrees also. I truly believe he will make an effort to be more concious of his surroundings and not taking "short cuts" on the road as a result of this accident.

File a report..... statistics are needed to make a case to the city/state/county for safer driving conditions/laws that protect cyclists!!!!

Rtt- "turning right from the left lane".

Yeah, supremely bad idea. Though it's worth noting for future reference that the right lane is for right turns only. And going straight from the parking lane at any of those intersections is also dicey. Maybe stef will explain why

In my opinion you should always file a report...just like a car accident. You never know what's going to happen later, injuries, other party sues you, etc.

By not filing a report, the police-leniency problem is prolonged.

I think I am okay

Famous last words...

Get yourself checked out, please.

As compelling as the reasons (both individual and community related) are for filing a report, it's her decision.* I think it's important to respect that.

*I don't mean that in any sort of legal sense, just that she's the one this happened to, she's the one who was there- she gets to decide what she wants to do.**

**I use alot of asterisks, sometimes frivolously.

ilikebikes, great of you to post. It's good to hear that you're o.k. Sounds like you handled the situation extremely well, from not rolling over like a victim, to taking the time to actually engage the guy.

+1 on educating not penalizing, I mean, the guys attitude might become "I cooperated, paid for repairs, and I still get a report filed? So next time, f*k it."

I suppose a report would be o.k. if it included that the guy stopped, admitted responsibility, and paid for damages. That would actually be to his benefit.

I understand it correctly, a police report doesn't necessarily mean action will be taken by the police, right? In this situation, you can very clearly say to the officer "I'm not pressing charges" and the report just becomes a record of the incident. And I'm assuming without charges being filed, nothing would appear on the driver's record?

@Lyle, you're right the left hand lane is to go straight or left... but I'd say at least once a week I see a car go straight from that lane, so its an easy enough mistake to make. Now I take the left hand lane, but for a long time I did exactly what ilikebikes was doing last night.

That whole intersection (and ALL of brown's hill road/homestead grays bridge) is just a mess... really needs a complete redesign.

@ilike bikes - sorry about the accident, but kudos to you. You're about as reasonable person as I've come across in a long time.

I guess technically/legally, there is a point to be made there, but practically/emotionally, we need more of the "human" response too.

Street view shows one tiny sign describing the lanes about 150 feet from the intersection... not prominent at all. Not sure if it's changed since the googles captured it.

I'd say at least once a week I see a car go straight from that lane,

I have ridden through here enough that I'm probably used to it, but really, the worst thing is the surface condition -- potholes, swales, and crap. Coming down Hazelwood at speed would be hazardous if you didn't know that you are about to get launched into the sky by the washboard at the intersection. You can't brake if your tires aren't on the road

I do see cars occasionally try to go straight from the right lane, but I can't remember ever being in a real conflict with one -- just annoyed. Not sure why, maybe because I make sure I see their eyes at the intersection, maybe because I always end up having to wait for the light...

Conceivably the free-running right turn onto beechwood from browns hill road could be an issue.

@quizbot: yeah, the signage could be improved with some hanging signs right in the intersection. The signage all over Pittsburgh is designed for people who have lived here for twenty years and always go to the same five places.

This spring there was a bathtub sized pothole (seriously, not exaggerating) on the north side of the intersection, with a single cone in it. I think only about 1/3rd of the cone was sticking out the top, it was that deep.

Cars would zoom up the hill and through the intersection, then slam on the brakes when they saw the canyon.

Going down the hill towards the waterfront is crappy too, as far as potholes, speeding, and passing space is concerned.

@dwillen -- Both up and down the hill are crappy right now, and the only reason I'm a multi-modal commuter. I drive to Sq Hill from Munhall... cycle to Mt Washington and then back. Looking forward to my move (NEXT WEEK!!!) when I won't have to do that anymore.

Glad to hear you are ok. I run a small business out of the basement of Sq. Hill Plaza right there and ride the intersection very frequently.

I am going to side with everyone who thinks you should file a report. Even for purely statistical purposes, they city needs to know about issues like this.

If I recall, a man was hit (and possibly killed?) at this intersection in July/August last year. I absolutely hate it and avoid it unless I'm riding back late at night with no traffic.

Thanks for all the thoughtful dialogue. I will consider placing a call to the police to file a report if I can do so without providing the guy's info. His concern I believe is that it is his work vehicle. Also, I will most certainly be more careful at that intersection in the future. I am very glad I was wearing a helmet!

I understand your unwillingness to file a police report, under the circumstances. I also understand the desire of the other members of this board for some sort of documentatin - not so much so we can punish this driver, but to record such incidents.

@Erok, what ever happened to the crash map that was available online a while back? Is that still around and available? Maybe we need to be recording these accidents (Parker, Knoxville kid, ilikebikes) and assaults (Justin and others) on that.

Hey ilikebikes glad to hear you're okay! The guy is very lucky it wasn't Quiz.

Thanks Lou! And, I think you're right!

glad you're ok - definitely could have been a lot worse.

i wonder if the guy made a left off murray, no one would let him in the right lane, so he figured "f-it, i'm turning anyways"...

"maybe stef will explain why."

don't wanna get right hooked by hugging the right side so completely?? did I pass?

ilikebikes, I am so glad you're okay. It's really gracious of you to have handled the situation as such. Human-to-human is key. Riding, to me anyway, is one of the ways I feel most human in connecting with and experiencing my surroundings more fully and intimately. But major sighs to the times in which we become intimate with the pavement. I, too, have been bullied by a pickup, and it's not fun. Hopefully your encounter with this driver will stay with him and reform his driving habits. Again, so thankful for your safety, and for your smart decision to protect your head.

Riding, to me anyway, is one of the ways I feel most human in connecting with and experiencing my surroundings more fully and intimately.

I'm with you. I believe road rage is very much fueled by drivers being completely insulated from their surroundings. A rager isn't directing anger or frustration at another human but at a metal box.

I hope that the driver in this situation not only changes his habits on the road because of the way the situation was handled, but also becomes at least a bit of an advocate for safer streets, too.

@saltm513: bingo. Yesterday I saw a cyclist put his foot up on the curb in a RTO lane at Liberty and ... 40th? ... and then proceed straight after the light changed. Just asking to get run over, and no reason not to be in the through lane except nobody ever told him otherwise Well, that and being addicted to using the curb as a footrest.

@myddrin: I did also see a straight-through driver from the right lane at Hazelwood. I was pretty sure that's what she was going to do-- aggressive position, no turn signal, wheels straight ahead, eyes straight ahead, shiny Porsche SUV -- so it came as no surprise. (!@#3$4%&! Scofflaw motorists!) If not for your comment, I probably wouldn't even have thought to mention it.

Any chance the guy who hit ilikebikes was trying to make a right hand turn from the left lane because of his trailer? A hard right from the curb lane while towing a trailer can be really difficult. That does not excuse his behavior, but may explain what he was THINKING - or not.

@salty -- I was immediately behind a red pickup truck doing exactly that last night. Around 5:30-6:00ish there was an accident on the Homestead Grays and traffic was backed up everywhere. The driver tried and tried to get over, but no one would let him/her in.

I rolled through at 4:51 and traffic was backed up everywhere.

Whew! I am so glad ilikebikes is okay.

It was hard to read over the details of the accident posted by quizbot. I go thru that intersection everyday, and know it very well. Please report what happened! It sounds like the driver who hit you manipulated the situation by offering to pay for repairs, so you would not report him to the authorities. Sounds kind of fishy. He may already have some sort of record. If he does have a record, it is likely that he may not learn too much from this situation. You do not want to enable him. Paying consequenses keeps most of us in line. Also, going to your PCP may not be a bad idea either.

We don't need to guess as to why he made the turn, he told me. He said simply that he'd seen others do it before and thought it was something you could do. He said that he thought that it was a good idea to help traffic go more quickly. As far as manipulating the situation and/or being fishy...well I don't feel like I was manipulated. Whether he has something on his record, who knows, it occurred to me. That doesn't make me think that he won't learn from this. After talking to him, I didn't want him to potentially get in trouble. He was aorry. He felt bad. He wasn't a dick, and it was an accident. Unfortunate for me because I was on a bike and therefore vulnerable, but I do not ride that intersection often and I am not sure of the best way to navigate it due to the traffic situation. In terms of the details of what happened: I was riding in the right lane (yes I know it is right turn only) to go straight and he was in the left lane and turned right to go into the far (left) lane on Brown's Hill Road, hitting my back wheel. I simply did not anticipate him turning right from the left hand lane.

I'm really glad you are ok, and that everything is worked out to your satisfaction.

If you have thought about it and are confident in your decision, don't let others sway you--you know the situation best.

Ride safe.

@ilikebikes: just to be clear -- you knew that you were in a right-turn only lane at the time? (not just later/now) And he knew that he was not in a turn lane. So I guess clearer signage wouldn't help.

Honestly, I was not sure it was right turn only at the time. As I was talking with him, I came to suspect it was and then had that confirmed. I do think better signage is a good idea at that intersection.