Daily Camera staff
Posted: 06/14/2009 12:00:00 AM MDT
September 1980 -- I mounted my bike to ride home from work. I worked near Valmont and 30th Street and lived in Martin Acres. It was a lovely fall day and dusk was approaching. My ride would take me to 28th Street heading south, and then home sweet home. I never made it home that evening.
When I awoke I was in Boulder Community Hospital with no idea how I got there. I asked the nurse what I was doing there and she said I was hit by a car on my bicycle. "What bicycle?" I asked her. I had no memory of what happened that night and had to put the pieces together.
After talking with the doctors, nurses and the police I found out that I made it to 28th, across the street from the hotels. At that spot, a driver came up behind me traveling at 50 to 55 miles per hour. In his or her rush, I was clipped on the left thigh and calf. The driver left me on the side of the road to die. My bike ended up 175 feet from where I was hit. It was a hit-and-run driver that left me there, and we were never able to track down the car or driver.
Another driver stopped to help me and called the police and ambulance. I had a broken fibula; five stitches on my left heel, a very sore body and a new appreciation for life. I was not wearing a helmet and did not have a light on my bike.
The conflict between automobile drivers and bicycle drivers has a long history in our community. Colorado statute 42-4-1412 states that bicyclists have all the rights and duties applicable to the drivers of any other vehicle and can be penalized for violating traffic laws.
When I get on my bicycle, I am a driver subject to the same laws as an automobile -- stopping at stop signs, signaling, not impede traffic -- with no exception. When I am on my bike, I don't get to behave as a driver when it works for me, and then switch to behaving as a pedestrian when that's more convenient. Adhering to driving laws is crucial to all bicyclists and all auto drivers. It's most often literally a matter of life or death.
On May 12 the Bicycle Safety Bill (Senate Bill-148) was signed into law, to take effect on August 5. This bill creates a three foot safety barrier between cars and bicyclists. The same courtesy and space we give to a car, we must give to bicyclists. Conversely, bicyclist must stay aware of auto traffic and adhere to the rules of the road.
The reality is that a shortcoming by a driver, bicycle or auto, can result in death for another person. Is being angry, careless, thoughtless of others on the road, or "right" as a driver worth dying for? Being more aware on the road is a good idea for all of us, all the time. In a time when there are more distractions than ever for drivers (mobile phones, texts and emails), we can all benefit from paying careful attention to ourselves and others when we're driving our autos or bikes. The time for increased awareness is now, before anyone else gets hit and does not make it home.
Bill de la Cruz is a 30 year resident of Boulder and can be reached at conversationson@gmail.com
