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| The Letter I Never Sent |
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Wednesday, October 14 2009 @ 10:45 CDT
Contributed by: patclem
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Dear survivors of David Allison, I owe you a sincere apology. I rode the NTP with my buddy Steve in September of 2009. The terrible experience I had around Jackson and Tupelo with high speed motor vehicle traffic inspired me to write a letter to the park service that they needed to correct it. I never sent it and I feel terrible. If I had, and followed up on it, maybe David would still be alive. Here is the letter:
Dear Sirs,
I recently completed a self-supported bicycle tour of the entire length of the Natchez Trace Parkway - September 20 - 27. There are so many to enjoy this resource - historical and natural wonders are abound. The bicycle camping facilities are well placed, clean and were just what we needed. I did come away with so many wonderful memories, but I have a few negative experiences bicycling that I feel I need to share, and others have also expressed. My only intent is to increase safety for bicyclists, and possibly increase the usage doing so.
First and foremost, the areas around Jackson and Tupelo MS are extremely heavily used by commuters and cross-town short-cutters. It doesn't seem that commuting and short-cutting is the intended purpose of the Natchez Trace Parkway, but I understand people will continue to use it. Fifty miles per hour is too fast and unsafe for cyclists with no shoulder. I propose reducing the speed limit to at most 40 miles per hour in these areas. The alternative is to provide a safe shoulder for cyclists to travel the NTP in these areas.
Second, I understand that construction vehicles should be allowed on the NTP to reduce construction costs, including the paving projects around Tupelo. But, they should abide by special regulations, such as 10mph below the posted NTP speed limit, and slower around cyclists. We were nearly run off the road several times by dump trucks.
Third, riding south to north for seven days, we saw a total of three park rangers. Our first was at mile post 187. The officer was extremely courteous. The other two were in Tennessee. More officers are needed, particularly around Tupelo and Jackson to slow commuters down.
Finally, I propose that a law be enforced on the NTP requring motor vehicles to give a minimum of three feet when passing bicycles. Mississippi and Alabama have no such law, but Tennessee enacted the Jeff Roth and Brian Brown Bicycle Protection Act of 2007 to require this. You can find more about that law at www.tennessee3feet.org.
Thank you so much for considering these suggestions.
Sincerely,
Pat Clements
David Allison was killed on the Natchez Trace Parkway while touring it by bicycle on October 9. The Park Service press release stated that it appears the bicyclist swerved out in front of the car. In advocacy circles, they call this the Single Witness Suicide Swerve. More or less, this careless driver negligently ran over and killed David and there were probably no witnesses to what really happened other than the driver's testimony at the scene.
After hunting information about the death, I also stumbled across an incident in April where a bicyclist from Netherlands was run over and killed. I have no idea the outcome of that investigation.
To redeem my lack of follow-through, I can assure you that I will do everything I can to save lives other cyclists on roadways where I can have an influence. And I intend to push the NTP management to correct the situation of unsafe drivers on their roadway. I am truly sorry and I carry this guilt forward in my mission.
What can you do when someone is killed like this? INSIST that the accident is thoroughly investigated. That means the driver's speed should be estimated by length of skid marks. The driver's cell phone records should be subpoena'ed and reviewed for activity during the time of the accident. You should question whether drug and alcohol tests were performed. District Attorneys and law enforcement many times believe bicyclists should not be on the road. At least by Tennessee and Mississippi law, bicyclists by law are valid users of the roadway. DA's and police have an obligation to protect us. They MUST do their job. And if they don't know how to do their job, they must be informed.
Finally, the National Park Service, which encourages bicyclists by providing special facilities and marketing materials for bicyclists, need to correct the safety problems they have around Jackson and Tupelo. We can't afford another death on the NTP. We're already bankrupt from the ones in 2009.
I'm still very sad and full of regret for not sending my letter.
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| Disappointment Over Tennessee Safe Passing |
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Monday, August 03 2009 @ 05:50 CDT
Contributed by: patclem
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This morning, someone posted a link to the HBC list. It's more or less an article, written by police officer Alex Teach, making a joke out of David Meek, a prominent bicyclist in Chattanooga who was run down by a truck. What a horrible thing - a police officer, sworn to protect and serve, with an attitude of neglect towards one class of road users - the bicycle driver. I always wondered why the police never wrote a ticket. I wondered why the Grand Jury failed to press charges against the driver, but later found out it was because of testimony from the investigating officer. I was confused why the justice system failed David until I read.
More recently, in Greeneville, TN, Jay Westbrook and a friend were riding along on a shoulder on the outside of a curve, and a Comcast truck swerved towards them, the passenger mirror hitting Jay, resulting in a helicopter ride to a trauma unit, a long stay in the hospital, and at least 8 weeks laying on his back in bed recovering. No ticket was issued.
Upon reflecting on David Meek and Jay Westbrook accidents, then factoring in Officer Teach's piece of work, and the consistent failure for our law enforcement and justice system to find fault, I realize the following: the Jeff Roth and Brian Brown Bicycle Protection Act of 2007 is either unenforceable, or police officers are untrained or apathetic towards protecting bicycle drivers.
Shannon Hornsby and I, shortly after the law was passed and went into effect, developed the tennessee3feet.org website, posters and campaign to educate bicycle and motor vehicle drivers of the law. Sharp Emmons developed the logo. Ivan Kansky developed the poster and background for the site. We were so happy that we finally had a law that protected bicyclists. But we understood that it would probably only be part of a incident where a bicycle driver was swiped by a motor vehicle. Man were we wrong. And I sit disappointed.
- I call to have the safe passing law revoked and for bicycle drivers to be treated like motor vehicle drivers.
- I call Tennesseeans to educate and become educated, that bicycle drivers are allowed and belong on the road.
- I call for motor vehicle drivers to expect bicycle traffic.
- I call for survivors of those killed, or those who survived their encounter with a motor vehicle while driving their bicycles to seek justice, either through criminal law or through civil law.
- I call for bicycle drivers to ride defensively and courteously.
- I call for bicycle drivers to continue to ride on roads that they're legally allowed to ride on.
- I call for police officers and local governments to enforce laws equally between bicycles and motor vehicles.
- I call for Tennessee to declare in law that bicycles are valid users of the roadway and should be treated as such.
- I call for Alex Teach to be assigned to Chattanooga Bike Patrol, or teach bicycle safety and law for the remainder of his career.
More information that should be of interest if you've made it this far. Alex Teach's response after realizing that his job as a police officer is in jeopardy. He doesn't seem to want to learn the error in his ways.
John Baker, a contributor to NTMBA, shared this letter with me after writing a letter about the failure of the justice system to respond to the Jay Westbrook incident:
www.bakerjw.org/GHSO_Page1_L.jpg
www.bakerjw.org/GHSO_Page2_L.jpg
Finally, on August 8, a group of concerned bicyclists (including myself) from across the state is convening in Nashville to form a statewide advocacy organization for walking and biking. This will hopefully be a catalyst to bring positive change in the environment we're currently dealing with. www.bikewalktn.org I'm sure we'll be talking to Kendell Poole and Mike Browning from TDOS about his suggestions to John Baker.
PS - I hope you didn't stumble upon my website after I was run over by a motor vehicle driver while I was legally driving my bicycle.
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| Donald Hall Foundation |
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Wednesday, April 01 2009 @ 08:22 CDT
Contributed by: patclem
 You may remember this story from the DNJ back in February. On 1/21/09, Donald Hall was a victim of a hit-and-run driver and left on the side of the road for six hours before someone found him. Donald rode his bike to work everyday in Lavergne, TN just outside of Nashville. Donald is paralyzed from the accident and was recently moved to the University of Michigan Hospital to be close to his family.
http://www.wsmv.com/news/18786996/detail.html
After reading this story, Sarah Lovett and I decided we needed to do something. We contacted Keith Webb of the Jeff Roth Cycling Foundation, and he helped us work with Don Hall's family to set up a foundation for Don. As a result of this "accident", Don has lost his 7 year old son, his home, and his independence. He is currently at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor working very hard to regain some independence. His son is living with Don's mother, Jean Gonzales.
You can follow Don's progress here http://www.carepages.com/carepages/CupCake
You can make a donation here: http://www.jeffrothcyclingfoundation.org/DonaldHall.htm
If we all just gave $10, and you pass it on to your friends for $10, soon we can raise enough money to help buy Donald a wheelchair. Donations can be made to Donald's family to help support his on-going medical expenses. All donations received for the Donald Hall Family Fund will be disbursed to the family in full.
Donations made through the Foundation are tax-deductible. Please include your return address and email so we can acknowledge your donation.
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| Most Recent Post: 05/20 06:02 by Anonymous [ Views:: 634 ] |
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| Nashville 2008 Bicycling Accidents |
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Saturday, October 18 2008 @ 07:56 CDT
Contributed by: patclem
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I'm going to try to list Nashville-area bicycling accidents that I know of in 2008. If you know of more, let me know and I'll put them here.
August 2008: Jeff B - while morning commuting on Thompson Lane east-bound in the bike lane, on a downhill section, an elderly couple passed him, heading for Shoney's turned right in front of him and ran him into the curb and off the road. Jeff was scraped up, bleeding from the road rash on his elbow. Not sure whether it was that they didn't see him or they misjudged his speed. The couple in the car was so distraught over the whole event that Jeff requested that they not be ticketed. Bad idea. Here are his words:
"The elderly couple that hit me (minor scraps and a bent front wheel) did stop. We exchanged phone numbers and
someone else had called the police. When the ambulance and fire truck(!) showed up, I waved them on.
Pat's point about getting a police report is correct, however, and I probably should have pursued that option. But the couple who struck me were more visibly upset than I was.
Bike commuters are still in the vanguard here in Nashville. As we become more prevalent on the streets, I believe motorists will get used to our presence, and we'll become more visible. For what it's worth, you're still more likely to be hit by a car as a pedestrian, but that won't prevent me from walking."
August 20, 2008: Richard M (his own write-up) - "I was commuting into to work today (headlight/tail light blaring). A ride I've been making once a week this Summer, from Franklin to Nashville. My route takes me on back roads across to Hwy 100, where I then take 100 all the way to Nashville. I was just before the 100/70 split, when a person taking their teenager to school decided to SLOWLY pass me then make an IMMEDIATE right-hand turn! All in the distance of 25yds. No turn signal! I was amazed. I yelled out "no f'in way" (I need to work on that part, cause if I'm being taken out of this world, that's NOT that last thing I want going through my mind and/or coming out my mouth). Then, get this, she decides to STOP as she's making the turn. I guess she remembered she had passed me just 20 yards before the turn (yes, 20 yds). I was doing about 25mph. I guess I should thank her for stopping (which put her car at an angle), cause that left me the ability to careen down the side of her car and fall eloquently into the street. She will remember me always, cause I left a nice handlebar mark from the back end to the front of her SUV. Her and her daughter did manage a slight "are you alright?", which I was, so they promptly drove off. Two others at the intersection actually got out of their cars and came over and asked if I was okay.Anyway, so now I question whether or not I will continue riding in to work."
Richard obviously was in no state to get a tag number, name or good description of the vehicle, and neither did the witnesses. There was no police report or investigation of the driver who was demonstrating "leaving the scene of an accident."
May 2008: Wanda H. - she and several folks were out for a recreational ride through urban Nashville on the holiday weekend. Thunderstorms threatened, so the group split up, with Wanda joining one of a smaller group to shortcut back to the starting place. They rode through 'The Gulch" (12th Avenue under the Demonbreun Street bridge) where there are multiple railroad tracks crossing the road at an angle. Somehow while crossing the tracks, one rider took a crash and I think she got distracted by that and crashed herself. After a ride in an ambulance and an extended stay in the hospital and a rehab unit, Wanda fractured her pelvis in two places and chipped it in a third place. She was on short-term disability and I think she went back to work the second week of July.
Was this rider error or were the tracks a hazard? I've ridden in just about every terrain imaginable. I've ridden in urban areas including Manhattan. I've ridden in the country where trains are up to full speed crossing between major towns and depots. I've ridden in small towns all over the southeast. In the country and most small towns, you'll find tracks with rubber bumpers to smooth them for cars, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrian crossings. Metro Nashville has the worst most dangerous tracks of anywhere I've been. We should (and I am) ashamed that we tolerate this in our community.
The tracks that Wanda crashed on are under the responsibility of CSX Railroad. The City of Nashville has no responsibility for fixing them. Wanda even wrote to them explaining what happened, simply to ask for more signs to be posted warning bicyclists of the danger. She got a very insensitive letter in response from the city explaining it wasn't their problem. Again, I'm ashamed, and this sort of response inspires me to be active in resolving such issues.
October 2008: Lisa M. - details are still unclear because Lisa can't remember anything for about a 2 week period after being life flighted to Vanderbilt. while riding on highway 70, apparently a car sped past her and turned right, hitting her and by eyewitness accounts, throwing her 25 feet.
"I was hit by a negligent driver on Wed of this week and had to be life flighted to Vanderbilt. No one including myself knows how I am alive. According to the officer involved the car turned in front of me, I hit it and was thrown 25 feet. I don’t remember any of it, nor much that has happened in the last two weeks. I have a concussion, bruised ribs, shoulder fracture and a banged up knee. Plus more bruises and road rash than I will take time to describe. However, I feel very fortunate that I am alive to feel the pain. "
Lisa before the accident was one of the very few that had ordered a 3feetplease.com jersey to spread the word. As of this writing the jerseys haven't arrived. She'll get hers delivered first. The other amazing thing is Lisa is inspired to take on some advocacy activism, and I know she'll be back on the bike. I hope you the reader share some of her increased enthusiasm and get out and do something to raise awareness of bicycling safety for both motorists and bicyclists.
August 8, 2008: Jim Benson -
"On August 12, family, friends and co-workers gathered at First United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro TN to celebrate the life of Jim Benson. Jim was involved in a tragic bicycle accident in Murfreesboro on August 8, 2008 when a car turned left into his lane, striking him on his bicycle.
He is survived by his wife, Sandy, and their two daughters, Kate and Kelley. Jim's memorial service was one full of heartfelt eulogies, songs of praise and an outpouring of sympathy and respect. Jim was competitive in nature and always looked for solutions to problems. He was the IT director at Middle TN Medical Center where he was very involved with many projects, including the new hospital. He was truly a great guy and will be missed. Clearly, Jim was a man who enjoyed life and touched numerous lives along the way."
I attended the Jim Benson Memorial Ride on September 8. Damn it was sad when his wife got in front of about 100 riders that showed up, and gave a speech telling us about the beautiful day, how Jim was getting ready, adjusting his helmet, and how she told him to be careful just like any other day, and he said he would just like any other day.
Jim was riding along in a residential area that approached countryside riding. The entire Memorial Ride stopped at the spot for a moment of silence, in the same direction Jim had been going. The family was there, embracing each other, teared up, right on the corner where the cross and flowers had been placed. We approached a stop sign where the road T's into another road. Jim had been approaching or moving through the stop sign when the car short-cutted the corner from the right, and hit and killed Jim. Note the driver was even taken to the hospital with injuries from where Jim must have hit her windshield. I don't think there was a dry eye on the scene.
September 5, 2008: Ricky B - I anonymize his name because I want to share some things about the accident that I clearly think were his fault. Ricky B was killed on Columbia Pike in Franklin while riding home from work as he did every day. He wasn't wearing his helmet, probably because he didn't wear one when he was a kid.
Exact words of someone that remembers regularly seeing him riding:
"I might know the man as well (not personally) I think (just think going by the description), but have seen him ride around a lot. Sometimes he carries a little dog with him, but yes, every time I've seen him; very dangerous riding; running red lights in front of traffic, cycling down the road in the wrong direction, and of course no helmet. I did confront him once about the helmet bit when we were both at a intersection a while ago, his comment was that there was no state law that says he has to wear one (I thought there was now?). But anyway, I don't think anyone deserves to die but then it just supports the common sense of wearing a helmet when you cycle and of course safe riding. Of course, I don't know the whole story, he could have been doing everything right and the truck hit him via it's driver mistake."
If he was riding this way, I feel sorry for him and his family even more than I already do. The police ruled it an accident and didn't issue any citations. Regardless, wear your damn helmet. If you're killed riding your bicycle without a helmet on, I'm going to write about you too.
"Bicyclists fare best when they act and are treated as vehicles." Ride like a car would - obey laws, ride with traffic, be aware of your surroundings, ride predictably, share the road - both ways.
That's enough for now. Again, email me if you have one I've missed. Stay tuned for more of my thoughts on the priorities for Tennessee bicycling advocacy.
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