Cyclist Hit on Highway One
Hi,I’m Erin, I was the cyclist involved in the accident.
I’m alright, just bruised hopefully nothing else will turn up as I recover. I’m waiting for my bike to get fixed in town and planning on continuing on my way to san diego. Wish me luck!
My name is Mike Blahut and I live in Fort Bragg. The woman who was in the accident is named Erin Kennedy. She stayed at my house for the past 10 days while her bicycle was repaired at Fort Bragg Cyclery. She is from Chicago and doing a bike tour from Seattle to San Diego. As a fellow bike tour enthusiast, I felt like it was my responsibility to help her while she was stranded in Fort Bragg for 10 days.
The accident happened on Saturday, September 28 in the afternoon. She was traveling southbound at about mile marker 67.0 on California State Route 1, as far right as possible when a truck struck her from behind. There was on-coming traffic and, although California law clearly states that cars must pass cyclists at a safe distance, the driver chose “squeeze” in between the oncoming traffic and the cyclist. This is a common scenario and must be made more aware of to motorists.
The truck stopped, the police came and an accident report was filed with the Sheriff’s Department.
The truck stopped, the police came and an accident report was filed with the Sheriff’s Department.
Two weeks ago, Governor Brown signed into law requiring motorists to give cyclists 3 feet of space when passing.
I hope there is an active effort to make all citizens of California aware of this new law.
Erin has continued south on her bike tour. Although she is a little banged up, she is still able to ride. She was taken to the hospital in an ambulance and released a few hours later. She is looking to deal with the insurance company to recoup repair costs to her bicycle and hospital bills.
From Mendocino Coast Cyclists:
Driving a bus back from Gualala to Fort Bragg today I saw at least 30 bicyclists on the road in the rain.
Several others were stopped at markets and other places, not riding at the time. In an hour and a half, oncoming motorists encroached into my lane 6 times to squeeze by a bicyclist or pair of bicyclists where the roadway had little shoulder. Why risk a head-on collision with a bus or chance harming a bicyclist on a road to nowhere when you have all the time in the world on a Sunday? Will the three-foot passing law make a difference and change motoring behavior?
Rick Riley
September 30, 2013 3:14:54 PM PDT
Caltrans District 1 is updating the Transportation Concept Reports for State Route 20 and State Route 53.
In order to create complete Transportation Concept Reports, Caltrans District 1 would appreciate input from the local community. For this reason we are sending you an informational handout on Transportation Concept Reports, and contact information for any questions, comments, or suggestions. Thank you for your time, and we look forward to hearing your input.
Sincerely,
John Thurston
Assistant Transportation Planner
System Planning
Caltrans, District 1
Office: 707-441-2009
You all should know that the haul road was aquired by state parks specificly to provide a safe alternate route to highway I. THey must be stopped from destroying the northern section and compelled to fulfill their agreement to the people of california. Erin was fortunate and only injured, others have not been so fortunate. . WE cannot rely on luck to assure the saftey of cycelests..I hold california state parks responsible in part for her injury and the previous fatalities. Write you state legislators now to save the haul road and the lives of bicycelests.
Hello Ed,
Thank you for watching Mendocino TV News. I have to correct your statement regarding the Haul Road. I read the original proposal and grant application for that particular acquisition. It was purchased as a preserve and the only trail development allowed was for hiking and that was for a trail from the “Mixing Table” down to the Haul Road. No more than 300 yds of development. A “Preserve” cannot have any road improvements. THE HAUL ROAD WILL NEVER BE IMPROVED IN THE FUTURE. It’s a shame but a fact. Most touring cyclists will never use it anyway. They have just finished traveling over the most difficult section of the coastal route from Canada to Mexico. The thing most on their mind is getting food and a place to rest for the night before braving “The Coast”.