Well-known Portland activist Bonnie Tinker died after colliding with a dump truck on the campus of Virginia Tech last month. From initial reports, it seemed she was victim of a right-hook, but according a story published today by The Roanoke Times, Tinker lost control of her bike prior to the right turn.
Here’s an excerpt from the story:
Police have determined that the driver of a dump truck that collided with a bicyclist on Virginia Tech’s campus last month was not at fault…
According to Tech police Chief Wendell Flinchum, based on evidence and witness statements, the bike and the truck were both headed north on West Campus Drive. The truck was in the correct driving lane, and the bike was next to it in a bike lane. The bike began to wobble and “became entangled” in the truck’s rear wheels before the truck made a right turn onto Drillfield Drive…”
Read the full article here.
It obviously doesn’t apply in the case above, but it’s interesting to note that in Oregon, ORS 811.065 states that when someone in a car traveling at a speed above 35 mph passes someone on a bike, they must do so at a “distance sufficient to prevent contact if the bicyclist fell toward the driver’s path.”
Tinker was in Virginia Tech for a conference. A Portland resident, she was known for her protests and activism in support of peace and gay rights.