Bicyclists Collide; Life-Threatening Injuries

KOIN-TV ^ | 8/12/2007

[B Knotts]

PORTLAND - Two bicyclists collided Sunday, leaving one with life-threatening injuries.

Police say this two-bike crash was not related to the bridge pedal event that was going on at the time.

The riders were two white men in their 50s.

A 56-year-old was riding his bicycle southbound on the sidewalk in the area of Southeast 11 Avenue and Southeast Stark Street, when he collided with a 52-year-old riding eastbound through a parking lot near the intersection.

The 56-year old was transported to a local hospital with what appeared to be life-threatening injuries. The 52-year-old was not injured.

Police said both cyclists appeared to be local transients, and neither was wearing a helmet.

[B Knotts]

OK...I hope the guy is OK...he apparently landed on his head. Anyhow...an odd story.

[CindyDawg]

Prayers, but what has their skin color have to do with this?

[sphinx]

Sounds like obstructed vision. Parking lot, intersection — probably a truck, van, etc. parked there and these guys came around the corner a bit fast.

[tajgirvan]

Prayers, I agree.

[ConservativeofColor]

Schwinn and Huffy to soon be defendants in a lawsuit.

[Natchez Hawk]

Geez, that’s awful.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

Did they have their clothes on?

[B Knotts]

Yep. Anyone that’s ever walked around in downtown Portland knows how bikes shoot through intersections.

[mamelukesabre]

The helmet law croud doesn’t like to hear this, but bicycle injuries tend to be worse than motorcycle injuries. Apparently, the height above the pavement is a more critical factor than is speed.

[Buddy B]

and neither was wearing a helmet

Did they have gloves on their hands? Need to protect your hands you know!

[Grizzled Bear]

Police said both cyclists appeared to be local transients...

---

We’ve got one “Transient” here who is often seen pushing an overloaded shopping cart.

Can’t say I’ve ever seen one on a bicycle.

[Forgiven_Sinner]

Yecch. I was in one bike accident and the doctor said my helmet saved my life. I hate wearing the thing, but I would never ride without it.

Still, it seems remarkably stupid to go into an obstructed intersection at high speed, even if you have the right of way.

I’m paranoid. The only question is, am I paranoid enough?

[miliantnutcase]

Anyone else notice bicyclists disproportionately do not follow traffic laws/signage. And they’re the first ones to give you the evil look as I drive by in my truck.

[Floyd Rivers]

yes! cyclists are the worst about following the rules of the road.

[MPJackal]

They are all over the place in Portland. The seem to have figured out we have the best weather from April to October. Usually low 70’s to low 80’s with low humidity, little rain, and few mosquitoes or other pesky insects. So now they flock here for the summer and then head to warmer/dryer climates in the fall and winter. Last week I went to a fast food joint and there were 5 of them hanging around outside begging for money. I guess they think guilt will make people pay up. You can not walk down the street 5 blocks without 5-10 “Homeless” asking for money. And this is Portland, where there is no shortage of places for them to get a free meal or clothes. But many of them try to intimidate hard working people. They have hostile attitudes and can be confrontational. They use the money for drugs and alcohol. We have some that have emotional and psychological issues, and there are a lot of organizations and churches that try to help them. Sounds like these two may fit that category. But most are young adults in their late teens or early twenties that want to be free from “the Man” and corporations. They are the same anarchist that roam the streets during the many protest we have here. The only good thing about the rainy winters we have is that these asshole leave.

[Pearls Before Swine]

“Prayers, but what has their skin color have to do with this?”

White men can’t ride?

You’re right, of course.

[Ladysmith]

I’m paranoid. The only question is, am I paranoid enough?

LOL!!! New tagline!

[xp38]

I am not sure what the local laws where this happened are but where I am riding a bicycle on the sidewalk is illegal even though it’s a common occurance and seemingly unenforced.