On Mon, 14 Aug 2017 13:04:25 -0400, Frank Krygowski
wrote:

On 8/14/2017 12:05 AM, John B. wrote:
On Sun, 13 Aug 2017 22:16:32 -0400, Frank Krygowski
wrote:

On 8/13/2017 9:31 PM, John B. wrote:
On Sun, 13 Aug 2017 14:40:35 -0500, AMuzi wrote:


http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/...icle-1.3407350

A really impartial report :-)

The two people on the garbage truck say that they "didn't see the
bicycle". "But they must have, they must have",reports a bloke who
wasn't there, and who's only claim to any knowledge of the matter was
that he had eaten in the restaurant where the bicycle rider was
employed.

Assuming the cyclist had lights at night (and perhaps even if he didn't)
it's the JOB of a truck driver to see everyone using the road. "I didn't
see him" should not be treated as a valid excuse; it should be treated
as an admission of guilt.

If a truck driver is responsible to see what is going on doesn't that
apply equally to the bicycle rider? After all, they were both
operating "vehicles" on a public road.

A bike rider has a responsibility to be observant. But it's possible for
one road user to violate the laws in such a way that another very alert
road user can't avoid a crash. That's why there is normally some
investigation into who is at fault in traffic crashes.

The truck driver's "I didn't see him" statement shows he was at fault.

But Frank, I've almost hit a bicycle, several times, often enough that
it is no longer an anomaly. And I was on a bicycle, maybe 20 kph. Had
I been driving a powered vehicle at say 50 kph I would almost
certainly have hit them

The conditions we just about dawn, the other cyclist, who I guess
could be called a transportationist cyclist, was on a dingy black
bicycle, the rider was wearing dark, maybe black clothes, trousers and
a long sleeved shirt of some sort, the bike was equipped with a large
plastic "basket" on the rear carrier and a handle bar basket on the
front and riding the wrong way on the edge of a 6 lane highway. Quite
obviously on his way to work.

At that point in my usual ride I would have just turned onto the
highway and would normally be traveling 18 - 20 kph and I can assure
you that when I saw the guy had I been going twice as fast I certainly
would have hit him.

And I do look where I am going and even (strange as it may be) behind
me and on either side of me.

Your argument when someone saying "I didn't see him" is obviously at
fault is absurd.
--
Cheers,

John B.