Police investigation: Driver claims innocence in I-205 bike path incident

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I just heard from the Commander of the Traffic Division regarding their investigation into I-205 bridge bike path incident I reported on last week.

To refresh your memory…Cyclist Dustin Kent claimed that a full-sized pickup truck entered onto the bike path as he pedaled home after work on the I-205 bridge over the Columbia River. Kent said a truck drove up behind him, turned out its lights, and proceeded to drive over his bicycle, forcing Kent to hop a railing to avoid being hit. The truck then continued on, without stopping to see what happened.

Now the Traffic Division has completed their investigation of the incident. According to Commander Mark Kruger, the motorist claims to have, “made a wrong turn somewhere”:

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Bike recreation on a roll in Oregon

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CCC's Holiday Bike Drive Cycle Oregon Day 1
National Bike Summit 07 Three Bridges opening celebration

The many faces of State Parks
Commission nominee Jay Graves.
File photos

The BTA reports that Governor Kulongoski has nominated Bike Gallery owner Jay Graves to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission. This is good news for bicyclists throughout the state and just the latest sign of the growing acceptance and influence of bicycles on Oregon’s political landscape.

You’d be hard pressed to find a more dedicated and effective voice for cycling than Jay Graves. He represents not only the important economic perspective of a business owner, but he’s also an experienced advocate who is just as comfortable rubbing shoulders with bigwigs as he is lubing your chain at a local bike event.

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Pedestrian bill needs a hand

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Scott Bricker of the BTA
demonstrates the proposed
pedestrian hand signal.
File photo

A bill that would give pedestrians a way to signal their intentions to cross a street without having to step out into traffic is stalled in the House Judiciary Committee.

Senate Bill 573 (text) will likely not move out for a full House vote unless advocates rally and encourage committee members to vote in favor of the proposal.

The bill passed a full Senate vote last month, but it must be pass out of committee and get a favorable House vote before being signed into law.

Noted lawyer Ray Thomas has worked closely with the BTAs on this bill. Here’s what he says

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TriMet clarifies dangerous crossing warning

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maxtracks.jpg

The tracks where Sharon fell.
Photo: Jim O’Horo

Sharon Fekety, the woman who broke her arm in three places after slipping on a MAX track, continues to push TriMet to improve the safety of track crossings for cyclists.

In the latest round in her saga, she has received another letter from TriMet GM Fred Hansen. In the letter, Hansen says they have decided to add more language about bike crossings to their official Administrative Rules and to the bike safety page on their website.

Here is an excerpt from Hansen’s letter:

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Teen in critical condition after crash

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Here’s the word from the PPB:

“At 4:56 pm yesterday, officers from East Precinct and investigators from the Traffic Division Major Crash Team responded to a serious injury collision involving a motorist and bicyclist near the intersection of Northeast Halsey Street and Northeast 157th Avenue (map). Investigators arrived and contacted witnesses and the driver of the vehicle, 46-year-old Janet Gomez. Investigators have concluded that the collision occurred when Gomez, who was driving a Kia eastbound on Northeast Halsey Street, stuck the 14-year-old bicyclist who was traveling northbound on Northeast 157th Avenue and failed to stop for the stop sign at Northeast Halsey Street.

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Stolen Schwinn Mesa GS

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Slick tires. 2000 Schwinn Mtn bike with blue and white paint. Not sure on size I’m 5’8″. Original components, with headlight holders, footclips on pedals.

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