Bicyclist Killed in Dallas County

**bellzisu** · 07-09-2010, 10:20 PM

From KCCI....

Bicyclist Killed In Dallas County Collision - Des Moines News Story - KCCI Des Moines

Remember guys... Those stop signs on bike trails mean something. I know I usually just yield and then go, but this can happen if your not paying attention.

**Cyclonepride** · 07-09-2010, 10:23 PM

Indianola's bike trail crosses a street with a 45 mph speed limit, and the view is obstructed on both sides from both ways, and I'm still amazed how many bicyclists roll up to it like they're going on through and then jam on the brakes when they see traffic. I ride my brakes every time through there.

**JP4CY** · 07-09-2010, 10:28 PM

Pray for the family and hope that the driver isn't too traumatized from it. I hope people on here don't turn this into a debate and just hope for the best for both families.

**bellzisu** · 07-09-2010, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by JP4CY

Pray for the family and hope that the driver isn't too traumatized from it. I hope people on here don't turn this into a debate and just hope for the best for both families.

Exactly.. Well stated.

**clonedmax** · 07-09-2010, 10:48 PM

It's a tragic accident and thoughts and prayers to the family of the cyclist.

I know the intersection well. You can see both ways from the bike trail for at least a mile in either direction. Sight distance is not a problem. But for some reason cyclists blow across without looking or stopping. I've seen close calls before. Bad situation.

**ISUAlum2002** · 07-09-2010, 11:07 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclonepride

Indianola's bike trail crosses a street with a 45 mph speed limit, and the view is obstructed on both sides from both ways, and I'm still amazed how many bicyclists roll up to it like they're going on through and then jam on the brakes when they see traffic. I ride my brakes every time through there.

I go through that intersection every weekend on the way down to the in-laws' acreage. I always slow way down even though it isn't mandated simply because I don't want to end up accidentally killing one of the bicyclists that blow right through their stop signs. I, too, am very surprised there aren't more accidents at that intersection.

**Cyballz** · 07-09-2010, 11:23 PM

I don't bike much..but seriously how hard is it to stop at a stop sign. Sounds like natural selection if you're riding your bike and fly over a busy road without checking traffic.

**GoShow97** · 07-10-2010, 02:03 AM

Originally Posted by Cyballz

I don't bike much..but seriously how hard is it to stop at a stop sign. Sounds like natural selection if you're riding your bike and fly over a busy road without checking traffic.

I agree. What a stoopid way to die. To me this illustrates what seemingly alot of bicyclist attitudes are with regards to bikers stating that they have the exact same road rights as motor vehicles. But yet when it comes to stopping at stop signs, they conveniently ignore them. Hard way to learn.

**Cyclonepride** · 07-10-2010, 05:30 AM

Originally Posted by JP4CY

Pray for the family and hope that the driver isn't too traumatized from it. I hope people on here don't turn this into a debate and just hope for the best for both families.

Originally Posted by Cyballz

I don't bike much..but seriously how hard is it to stop at a stop sign. Sounds like natural selection if you're riding your bike and fly over a busy road without checking traffic.

That could be what happened, but it could also be a case of looking, but not really seeing. I always look both ways twice when I'm driving, because every once in a while I just don't see something even though I've looked.

**alaskaguy** · 07-10-2010, 07:08 AM

The bicycle is my primary mode of transportation. I commute to work by bicycle and do a fair amount of bicycle touring.

My number one goal when riding a bicycle is to not get hit. Riding safe is far more important than wearing a helmet (and I always wear a helmet). When I bicycle I never ride on sidewalks because they are far more dangerous than riding on the street. I also wear the bright colored clothing that some people on this message board don't appreciate but it makes me more visible (and is quite comfortable). Finally I don't hug the right curb when I ride. It is safer to ride a little to the left than on the extreme edge where I could be overlooked.

**arganbright2** · 07-10-2010, 10:34 AM

I definitely feel for the driver. Last summer around this time I was driving on S. 13th Street by the Hy-Vee here in Ames right around dark and a bicyclist was in the middle of the road with no lights or anything on the bike. I honestly don't know how I managed to avoid hitting them and then the rider just kept on driving as if nothing had happenned. 6 feet to the right of the road is a double wide sidewalk going unused.

**RoseClone** · 07-10-2010, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by GoShow97

I agree. What a stoopid way to die. To me this illustrates what seemingly alot of bicyclist attitudes are with regards to bikers stating that they have the exact same road rights as motor vehicles. But yet when it comes to stopping at stop signs, they conveniently ignore them. Hard way to learn.

I believe most people don't truly stop at stop signs whether they are on a bike, motorcycle, in a car or driving a truck. They may slow down but they never really stop. Their justification is that they can see clearly no one is coming. This case probably shows that that isn't always the case. People have to get "there" in the shortest time possible even if that is 30 seconds quicker. When something like this happens people realize how dumb that is. People need to slow down.

I feel terrible for both parties in the horrible incident.

**cycoOJfan89** · 07-10-2010, 11:45 AM

I was riding down Sheldon near Arbor and Hunt St doing around 15 mph when a motorcyclist had to be cool and pass me going like 40mph. He ends up trying to look slick by passing me as close as possible to show boat and his bike clipped my front left handlebar... Let's just say I flew off into the middle of the street, true story.

**alaskaguy** · 07-10-2010, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by arganbright2

6 feet to the right of the road is a double wide sidewalk going unused.

It is considerably safer for cyclists to be on the streets than on the sidewalks. You are far less visible to motorists at intersections when a cyclist uses the sidewalk not to mention that motorists pulling out of parking lots and drive ways virtually never see you.

**majorcyfan** · 07-10-2010, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclonepride

That could be what happened, but it could also be a case of looking, but not really seeing. I always look both ways twice when I'm driving, because every once in a while I just don't see something even though I've looked.

I've saw a woman RAGBRAI rider run directly into a sawn off telephone pole used on bike trail to keep autos from driving down the bike trail. You have to be half awake to not hit something and fly over your handle bars...This gal survived with a broken arm as I recall. Nobody's fault but her own.

An ISU student, I presume, because of his Minn residence listed in the county Sheriffs report, was riding his bike at 9:30 PM last weekend when he was hit by a car one mile west of the Cameron School road, 190th & X Ave. OK enough in the daytime but utterly stupid at night with no lights or reflectors as Sheriff's report indicated......Hauled off to the hospital to have his brains examined. Natural selection didn't work this time.