Tuesday Afternoon Commute - VAT

Good afternoon

• A new CaBi station is being installed at the corner of Quincy and Wilson Blvd in Ballston (see photo by Mark P)
• If the Virginia Avenue Tunnel project goes forward, bike/ped crossings at 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th and 11th are planned. And the post construction Virginia Avenue will include a "pedestrian/bicyclist friendly facility from Garfield Park to 11th Street." In option B that means bike lanes and in option C that's a shared use path. 
• Cyclist injured this morning after falling off of their bike and getting hit by a car. "Police are talking to witnesses and trying to determine who had the right of way." The article makes sure to note that "There are no bike lanes there." Unless this happened at an intersection, or they cyclist swerved in front of the car without proper distance, I can't see how they don't have the right of way.
• The National Mall Design winners will present their designs at the building museum Thursday night. 
• Dog follows long-distance cyclists for 1139 miles and 24 days across China. 

Comments

[Tara]

As usual, I regret reading the comments on the NBC article about the cyclist being struck.

I also don't understand the question of right-of-way. As I understand it, both the cyclist and the Range Rover were travelling in the same direction.

[SJE]

Tara: I agree re the commenters. Yuck. Some people are just horrible.

I also have no idea about David's right of way comment. If someone fell of their bike and into the path of the SUV, I don't see it as a right of way issue.

[washcycle]

To be clear, it wasn't my comment about the ROW, that was from the article. I'm just confused about how that is in question.

[Kathy]

It's possible the cyclist hit a pothole. If the cyclist and SUV were both in the same lane travelling the same direction, then shouldn't the SUV be charged? It's no different than re-ending a vehicle in front of you; only in this case, with far more serious consequences.

[washcycle]

Kathy, that's right. That's why I don't understand what MPD was trying to determine.

[ontarioroader]

Sending best wished & hoping a fast recovery to Darryl, the cyclist struck today. Last I heard he was still in critical condition. Saw him just last week, really hoping he pulls through.

[Kathy]

My earlier post should have said "rear-ending" no "re-ending."

My sincerest condolences to the cyclist and his family. I really hope he pulls through and has good health insurance.

I hope the MPD and legal system gets this one right whatever happened.