Drivers, cyclists share tips to stop deaths

By DAVID WHITING
OUTDOORS
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Twenty-four hours after my column last week on driver-cyclist safety, Newport Beach police say Patricia Ann Izquieta veered into a bike lane, hit rider Donald Murphy and fled the scene.
Murphy, 49, was the 14th person this year to die riding a bike in our beautiful county. He left behind a wife, two children and a legacy of fitness and kindness.

I'm not sure what Izquieta, 37, left behind. But I know what's ahead: Legal bills, possible jail time and – if she was indeed the driver – a lifetime of waking up every day knowing she took someone else's life.
I've never met Izquieta. But I'm sure she's a good person. I'd also agree with the Murphy family, that she meant no malice, that she's a victim as well.
And that is what this column is about.
Victims.
We can argue until we run out of oil whether cyclists are crazy for riding the roads alongside two-ton hunks of steel barreling along at 25, 35, 45 miles an hour. We can label them a bunch of dangerous scofflaws because of the acts of a few. We can say they should stick to stationary bikes, trails or find empty roads.
Or we can get real.
The simple fact is the law says cyclists have the right to the road. Same as drivers.
So let's stop pointing fingers, being victims and figure this thing out: Drivers and cyclists working together.
I invited many of you to share your thoughts on reducing the number of cycling fatalities in 2010. (If you'd like to be on my e-mail list drop me a note, dwhting@ocregister.com.) Here is a sampling of e-mailed and online comments:
Howard Hull: "Have bike rodeos in elementary school; common sense is lacking with kids. Also, (stop) drivers with phones, texting etc."

Gordon Pardee: Cyclists in bike lanes should "not ride two or three abreast as they often do. That is suicidal behavior – a split second distraction on the part of an otherwise safe and cautious driver could permanently end their cycling days."

Kathy Ulrich: "I see a lone bicyclist or groups of bicyclists blow through red lights and stop signs, also bicyclists who ride in the street facing traffic."

Larry Weisenthal: "Outlaw all wireless communication in automobiles – hands free or not. It's a jungle out there."

Opher Banarie: "More than half the cyclists I see on the road wear ear buds that I suspect are playing music loud enough to blot out all but police sirens."

Victor Ray: "I ride to work lit up like a Christmas tree with LEDs with a bright orange reflective vest."

Brianguy: "Practice riding in a straight line. It's not as easy as it sounds and not automatic. Start by following a straight line on flat ground, then do it on a curve, then do it uphill.

Jae2460: "Assume a car can't see you, unless you make eye contact with the driver. Ride / drive predictably."

Sdbrit68: If you are a cyclist, maintain a line. Don't blame me if you get side-swiped because you suddenly lose your line and swerve out. If the cops would just start ticketing them, maybe then cyclists would learn."