MCBC - Injured cyclist a tragic reminder

Kim Baenisch: Injured cyclist a tragic reminder

Kim Baenisch
Marin IJ, May 30, 2009

ON MAY 26, Claire Diepenbrock, a 26-year-old cyclist, was seriously injured on Shoreline Highway in Mill Valley. This is a tragedy that could have been prevented.

According to the IJ's May 27 article, "Bicyclist hit by 2 cars in Mill Valley; one driver arrested," Diepenbrock was first "sideswiped and knocked down by a northbound Saturn" and then "struck again by a Honda CR-V."

She is now in the hospital after suffering "a fractured skull, a collapsed lung, a lacerated liver and other major injuries." The driver of the first car that hit the cyclist was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, possibly from prescription painkillers.

The Marin County Bicycle Coalition's Share the Road campaign promotes safe techniques for driving near cyclists to prevent such collisions. Please take these driving tips to heart and remind your friends of them so your own son, daughter, neighbor or guest is not the next injured cyclist to appear in the newspaper.

Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Be actively aware of cyclists on the road (cyclists have the same right and responsibilities as automobiles to use the road).
Give plenty of space between your vehicle and the cyclist (the coalition suggests 3 feet, which as been adopted as law in several states).
Be actively aware of the behaviors of other drivers (if another vehicle is slowing, drive cautiously to avoid any obstacle, such as a cyclist, that may be on the road).
Be patient and only pass cyclists when it is safe to do so (this includes no oncoming traffic, no blind corners, and generous space between the vehicle and cyclist).

The Marin County Bicycle Coalition has been working with community members in the Tam Valley for the past several years to improve Shoreline Highway's cycling facilities. While Caltrans, which has jurisdiction over this road, recently installed a crosswalk, there is still much more that needs to be done to improve roadway safety including: widening the shoulders, lowering the speed limit, adding more crosswalks and making the crossings more visible.

MCBC will continue to pursue Caltrans taking responsibility for these necessary road improvements, and we will work with Supervisor Charles McGlashan, Assemblyman Jared Huffman, and state Sen. Mark Leno to request that the state take immediate action to address these needed road improvements.

The Share the Road campaign includes educating cyclists so that they also follow the rules of the road. This includes stopping at stop signs and signal lights, and riding as far to the right as practical.

We urge everyone to help make Marin County's roads safer by understanding cyclists' right to the road and being a defensive driver at all times. Both drivers and cyclists need to do their part to promote safety - especially as summer is upon us and cycling is becoming more and more popular.

The Marin County Bicycle Coalition also sends our wishes to Claire Diepenbrock for a full recovery, as quickly as possible.

Thanks for sharing the road.

	Kim Baenisch: Injured cyclist a tragic reminder Kim Baenisch Marin IJ, May 30, 2009 ON MAY 26, Claire Diepenbrock, a 26-year-old cyclist, was seriously injured on Shoreline Highway in Mill Valley. This is a tragedy that could have been prevented. According to the IJ's May 27 article, "Bicyclist hit by 2 cars in Mill Valley; one driver arrested," Diepenbrock was first "sideswiped and knocked down by a northbound Saturn" and then "struck again by a Honda CR-V." She is now in the hospital after suffering "a fractured skull, a collapsed lung, a lacerated liver and other major injuries." The driver of the first car that hit the cyclist was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, possibly from prescription painkillers. The Marin County Bicycle Coalition's Share the Road campaign promotes safe techniques for driving near cyclists to prevent such collisions. Please take these driving tips to heart and remind your friends of them so your own son, daughter, neighbor or guest is not the next injured cyclist to appear in the newspaper. Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Be actively aware of cyclists on the road (cyclists have the same right and responsibilities as automobiles to use the road). Give plenty of space between your vehicle and the cyclist (the coalition suggests 3 feet, which as been adopted as law in several states). Be actively aware of the behaviors of other drivers (if another vehicle is slowing, drive cautiously to avoid any obstacle, such as a cyclist, that may be on the road). Be patient and only pass cyclists when it is safe to do so (this includes no oncoming traffic, no blind corners, and generous space between the vehicle and cyclist). The Marin County Bicycle Coalition has been working with community members in the Tam Valley for the past several years to improve Shoreline Highway's cycling facilities. While Caltrans, which has jurisdiction over this road, recently installed a crosswalk, there is still much more that needs to be done to improve roadway safety including: widening the shoulders, lowering the speed limit, adding more crosswalks and making the crossings more visible. MCBC will continue to pursue Caltrans taking responsibility for these necessary road improvements, and we will work with Supervisor Charles McGlashan, Assemblyman Jared Huffman, and state Sen. Mark Leno to request that the state take immediate action to address these needed road improvements. The Share the Road campaign includes educating cyclists so that they also follow the rules of the road. This includes stopping at stop signs and signal lights, and riding as far to the right as practical. We urge everyone to help make Marin County's roads safer by understanding cyclists' right to the road and being a defensive driver at all times. Both drivers and cyclists need to do their part to promote safety - especially as summer is upon us and cycling is becoming more and more popular. The Marin County Bicycle Coalition also sends our wishes to Claire Diepenbrock for a full recovery, as quickly as possible. Thanks for sharing the road.
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