A sad record: Six bicyclists have died in Portland this year
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Editor) on October 23rd, 2007 at 10:52 am
Just for the record, I want to acknowledge that six people have been killed in Portland this year while riding bicycles. For reference, this is the most bicycle fatalities ever recorded in one year in the city of Portland. (Last year we had zero, in 1997 and 2001 we had five.)
Below are links to my coverage of each of them (Note: Two of the six deaths did not include a motor vehicle. One was bike-on-bike and the other was a bicyclist running into a telephone pole.)
- Nick Bucher: 02/02/07
- Jerry Hinatsu: 05/04/07
- Daniel Hunt: 08/21/07
- Curtis Lee Web: 10/08/07
- Tracey Sparling: 10/11/07
- Brett Jarolimek: 10/22/07
We should never accept traffic deaths as simply collateral damage of our unbalanced transportation system. One fatality is one too many.
But, even if we can never fully prevent these tragedies from happening, we can all do something to improve the safety of our streets.
Get involved. Attend meetings. Be an advocate for safety. Question the status quo. Operate your vehicle with the highest respect and understanding of the consequences for your decisions.
And, most importantly, always be aware of your surroundings, whether your hands grip a steering wheel or a set of handlebars.
Email This Post
Possibly related posts
October 23rd, 2007 12:37
I know it wasn't in Portland proper, but if you consider the greater Portland area, you should consider adding Tim O'donnel.
October 25th, 2007 10:32
"...the cyclist turned in front of the car."
"...while riding the wrong-way in the bike lane."
"Ladeane was pulling out onto SE 11th from a parking lot just before SE Stark St. and Hunt hit him head-on." (both cyclists)
"...the bicyclist had a blood alcohol level of .383, over four times the legal limit."
And the final two rode into the right sides of large, slow moving vehicles, at intersections, which were signaling their right turns.