Drivers often in the wrong in crashes with cyclists in Vancouver

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      The person on two wheels had the right of way in half of the crashes between vehicles and bicycles in Vancouver.

      This is one of the numbers to be presented Tuesday (May 12) by city staff to council regarding cycling and pedestrian safety.

      In these accidents, only four percent were determined to be that of the vehicle having the right of way, according to the report to be laid out by Jerry Dobrovolny, acting general manager of engineering services, and Lon LaClaire, acting director of transportation.

      For the remaining 46 percent, it isn’t known who had the right of way.

      The report also notes that about half of the serious injuries and nearly all the fatalities in these collisions are sustained by the cyclists.

      The major types of collisions are doorings and vehicle left turns, both with a 15 percent share each; vehicle right turns, 13 percent; and conflict zones at lanes and driveways, 11 percent.

      Comments

      15 Comments

      Doorman

      May 12, 2015 at 8:14pm

      I'm surprised more cyclists aren't pizza given their blatant disregard for stoplights, signs and general obeyance of road rules.

      Bobbie Bees

      May 12, 2015 at 10:59pm

      I'm not surprised.
      But the 46% number is alarming.
      This just goes to show the importance of buying a GoPro and having it on each and every time you ride.

      Richard Campbell

      May 13, 2015 at 12:06am

      @Doorman

      The nonsense is tiresome. If you bothered to look, you would know the vast majority of people on bikes behave responsibly. Like drivers, there is a small minority who don't act responsibly but is fundamentally wrong to judge everyone on a bike by the actions of a few.

      McLaren 650s

      May 13, 2015 at 3:31am

      Pedestrians who disobey do not walk signs at intersections are the most annoying!

      out at night

      May 13, 2015 at 8:04am

      Is it just me or are drivers becoming even more aggressive lately? It's always a bit of a jungle out there, but for the last couple of years I swear I've noticed an uptick in drivers blowing through red lights, street-racing style sprints and weaving lane changes.

      My observations are far from scientific but I do spend many hours a week riding my bike and think I have my finger on the pulse. Could it be that there are too many gleaming white BMWs being sold locally?

      Richard S.

      May 13, 2015 at 9:22am

      @out at night - you called it!

      What about....

      May 13, 2015 at 12:36pm

      cyclist - pedestrian collisions? I knocked a cyclist flying along the Seawall on May 3rd when he ordered me aside while riding in the pedestrian path. Poor guy: cuts, scrapes and language that would make a sailor blush and all the while refusing to acknowledge the line demarcating our respective spaces.

      When you see adult riders on the sidewalk knock them into the street or bike lane where they belong and we will be better off in the long run. Whatever you do refuse to step aside and make them risk themselves on the road or walk their bike. Bikes are great, I love to ride, but cyclists in this city are morons on the level of automobile drivers.

      Assault is a Criminal Offence

      May 13, 2015 at 1:24pm

      @What about....

      While the person riding the bicycle may have been breaking a traffic law or bylaw, you have no right to take the law into your own hand nor insight others to do the same. What you did is assault which is a criminal offence much more serious than disobeying a line or a sign.

      If you knock some off a sidewalk, they could be run over by a bus or a car and killed. You should and would be charged with homicide.

      And if you want cyclists off the sidewalk, it would be far more constructive and effect to ask the City to install protected bike lanes. On Dunsmuir and Hornby, they reduced sidewalk cycling by 80%.

      There are pedestrians walking on bike paths all the time but that does not give cyclists the right to harm them.

      I'm reporting you to the police.

      I'm surprised the Straight approved the comment. They should have reported you.

      Vancovuer Watcher

      May 13, 2015 at 6:10pm

      @Assault is a Criminal Offence: what a bunch of self righteous bs, typical from those who believe that "I will do what i want, I will do it now and and screw everyone else. "
      As a pedestrian I have seen so many idiots on bikes go through red lights, turn right or left into crosswalks almost hitting people, swerving in and out of cars that are moving, breaking the laws about wearing a helmet. Most pedestrians would agree that bikers are the most self indulgent, rude and spoiled brats in this city., and they are encouraged by Bobblehead Moonbeam and his ideological sycophants.
      "The way we live together means more to our happiness than anything else"
      Thinking of others, common courtesy, politeness and not breaking the laws of the road seem to be missing from the attitude of many, many cyclists.
      Of course, I realize that to the majority of bikers, its "me, me, me" and screw everyone else. How pathetic!

      Assault is a Criminal Offence

      May 13, 2015 at 9:09pm

      @Vancovuer Watcher

      Please get a grip. According to What about...., the cyclist did not harm him/her in any way, they only perhaps rudely requested that they move. That is no excuse to assault someone. If people assaulted other people for traffic offences or behaving rudely, it would be sheer carnage on our streets. In no way is that acceptable.

      Everyone, regardless of whether they drive, walk a bike or walk should be outraged at that behaviour.