SOCIAL: 70% of all accidents fault of cyclists?

Tue May 8 10:18:43 PDT 2012

I'm wondering if it's a specific "wording" they are using? As in "70% of
all bicycle accidents are the fault of the cyclist"...not necessarily bike
accidents with cars? Maybe it's quoting (inappropriately) bike accidents of
all kinds? (bikes hitting bikes, bikes hitting muni tracks, bikes slipping
on water....)

On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 10:07 AM, Marc Caswell <marc at sfbike.org> wrote:

> Most crashes (including car/car) are attributed to 'basic speed law' --
> which is completely arbitrary and based on the responding officers'
> perception of 'too fast' -- not the speed limit.
>
>  Most responding officers aren't actually trained "Accident Investigators"
> -- they only show up to serious injury or deaths.  But, the officer has to
> write down a 'contributory factor' and 'party at fault.'  So, a responding
> officer who never ride a bike (and perhaps feel like bikes shouldn't be on
> the street at all) can say, 'well, you should've been going slower to avoid
> that boneheaded move that other guy did, bike rider!'
>
> That said, 70%?  Never heard that one.  40% according to SF 2010 data --
> and the SF Bay Citizen analyzed the data and wrote a story asking the same
> questions (
> http://www.baycitizen.org/bikes/story/do-bikers-have-speed-problem/ )
>
> Remember, 72% of un-sourced statistics are completely fabricated, but that
> number rises to 86.4% when it's on the internet.  ;)
>
> -marc
>
>
> On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 9:37 AM, jen schradie <schradie at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>  really? someone on my kids' listserv (below) just posted this.
>>
>> --------------------------- j e n s c h r a d i e
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> Date: Tue, 8 May 2012 09:31:17 -0700
>> From: jaskart at yahoo.com
>> Subject: Re: [noccs] Bicycle safety - parents and kids
>> To: schradie at hotmail.com
>>
>> Those efforts would be worthwhile (cutting back bushes, etc.) but futile
>> if cyclists don't take responsibility for their own safety. It is one thing
>> to be empowered, and another to be oblivious and entitled where it doesn't
>> work. 70% of all bicycle accidents are the fault of the cyclist, not the
>> driver! CHP data right there.
>> Putting responsibility on the drivers is exactly what this parent did,
>> and it is a sure recipe for danger.
>>
>> I grew up in San Francisco, during the 80's and there were no bike lanes,
>> etc. and a LOT fewer accidents involving bikes, because cyclists understood
>> that their own safety was their responsibility. Can't pass the buck in this
>> situation. Kids need to STOP at intersections and busy driveways/parking
>> lot entrances, even when they're walking, but especially when they're
>> riding a bike.
>>
>>   ------------------------------
>> *From:* jen schradie <schradie at hotmail.com>
>> *To:* noccs at yahoogroups.com
>> *Sent:* Tuesday, May 8, 2012 9:21 AM
>> *Subject:* RE: [noccs] Bicycle safety - parents and kids
>>
>>
>>   Hi Jask,
>>
>> Great timing! Thursday is the East Bay's annual bike to work (school)
>> day. Bicycle awareness from bicyclists, motorists and pedestrians is all
>> very important to support cycling. For NOCCS cyclists, there are a number
>> of "energizer" stations Thursday with free food, tools, coupons and other
>> cycling perks. The one closest to NOCCS is at 40th and San Pablo. Also one
>> at Actual Cafe and at various other points.
>>
>> Another bicycle issue at NOCCS is now that cyclists who park their bikes
>> in the NOCCS parking lot are no longer able to go through the back door,
>> cycling kids/parents/teachers need to walk through the parking lot entrance
>> to go into the building. My kids have almost been hit by incoming cars into
>> the parking lot two times. Very scary. Perhaps the bushes could be cut back
>> (I'm happy to do this if I have permission), so drivers can better see
>> cyclists coming from the bike racks, as visibility is almost nill.
>>
>> --------------------------- j e n s c h r a d i e
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> To: noccs at yahoogroups.com
>> From: jaskart at yahoo.com
>> Date: Tue, 8 May 2012 15:54:34 +0000
>> Subject: [noccs] Bicycle safety - parents and kids
>>
>>
>>  Hey y'all, I know I pretty much never write here, just follow topics.
>> My daughter graduated from NOCCS years ago, and I think it is a great
>> school, and a school which is very community oriented.
>>
>> That being said, I know many of our students ride a bike to school, and I
>> have seen some very unsafe riding habits, from parents and students alike.
>> Blazing through stop signs with your hand out is really dangerous,
>> especially for your child, and totally unfair to the people driving.
>>
>> I know that NOCCS parents are better than this, but I've seen it 3 times
>> over the last two weeks. Parents please teach your children bicycle SAFETY.
>> One day, they'll be riding on their own, and the safe habits will keep them
>> alive!
>>
>>
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