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May 24, 2008
Bicyclist Killed by Foothill Transit Bus
Photo of bike-inspired graffiti at Angels Gate Pool by Marshall Astor - Food Pornographer via Flickr
Yesterday in El Monte, a man riding his bicycle was struck and killed by Foothill Transit bus. The LA Times explains:
The cyclist was riding across Santa Anita Avenue near Ramon Boulevard about 9:15 a.m. when he was hit by the bus, said Lt. Michelle States of the El Monte Police Department. He was not in the crosswalk and was pronounced dead at the scene, States said.This incident between a public transit vehicle and a cyclist isn't a novelty--in fact it seems that even in the wake of (or in the midst of!) Bike to Work Week, the streets remain an unfriendly place for cyclists.The man was not carrying any identification, States said. The crash is still under investigation.
On his blog, fellow cyclist Will Campbell shares a complaint he filed this week with the LA DOT after almost being hit by a DASH bus. And bicyclists must also be on the lookout for cars driven by folks who don't know how to share the road; L.A. Can't Drive points out one particular near-incident this week, and LAist recently shared the story of the ALC cyclist who was injured in a hit-and-run accident.
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"He was not in the crosswalk..."
I must say I'm genuinely perplexed as to that fact of the cyclist's location having any relevance whatsoever.
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I agree, Will! I also think the fact that they pointed out that he had no ID on him is the police/media making it seem like the cyclist was a law-breaking derelict and therefore was a free target for the mighty bus.
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I saw the immediate aftermath of this accident. I drive this route frequently. It occured, ironically, a block from the bus yard and in a block where 2 small side streets and at least 4 driveways from small shopping centers converge onto Santa Anita Ave. It is a traffic nightmare right there. Previously invisible pedestrians and bikers squirt into traffic and I have seen many near misses. I feel for the bus driver and the family of the victim.
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I went ahead and emailed the L.A. Times writer of the brief with the following, but I hold out little hope for an enlightening response given that the writer couldn't even get the cross street right (It's Ramona Boulevard, not Ramon):
Hello,
I'm regards to your news brief on the cyclist struck and killed in El Monte by a Foothill Transit bus yesterday, I'm curious as to why you chose to report what seems to be the irrelevance of the deceased cyclist being "not in the crosswalk" at the moment the collision occurred. If your response is something along the lines of "that's what the police told me," then my follow up query is why didn't you ask El Monte Police Lieut. States to elaborate on that since cyclists have a right to the streets and are not at all obligated to ride in crosswalks.
I look forward to your reply.
Regards,
Will Campbell
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Not only was the cyclist not riding in the crosswalk, there was no crosswalk.
According to Lt. Fetner of the El Monte Police Department, the incident didn't even occur at an intersection.
And so...the mythology of the appropriate position for a cyclist on the road is further perpetuated.
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Another reason to call it the Murder Bus.
http://havish.wordpress.com/2008/05/22/i-want-to-be-on-you/