Update: Bicyclist At Fault In Tuesday Crash
Patrick Street collision closed road until 6 p.m. Tuesday
Update 4/4 9:45 a.m.: A 21-year-old bicyclist is believed to be at fault in a Tuesday afternoon crash on Patrick Street.
According to Vienna police, a vehicle was traveling along eastbound Patrick Street around 3:15 p.m. Tuesday. While the car was passing by a driveway apron at the back of the Cedar Lane Shopping Center, the bicyclist rode out into the roadway and was struck by the vehicle.
The male bicyclist sustained a broken leg and head trauma but is expected to recover. No charges were filed.
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Original 4/3 4:19 p.m.: Afternoon Crash Closes Patrick Street
Vienna Police have shut down Patrick Street between Desale and Park Streets to investigate a crash involving a car and a bicycle.
The road will remain closed until about 6 p.m. Tuesday, police said.
Officer Bill Murray said a male bicyclist rode into Patrick Street from the nearby Cedar Lane Shopping Center around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday when he was struck by a vehicle.
The bicyclist has knee and head injuries, Murray said.
Patch will update this story as more information becomes available.
Amelie Krikorian
6:11 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
It's sad to say, but today when I was out driving I did not see a single bicyclist obeying the rules of the road. The majority of people I saw were without helmets and riding facing traffic; at the Church street bike path intersection traffic was at a standstill because bikers were streaming past one after the other without even pausing for the stop sign. On 123, I saw bicyclists weaving their bikes in between cars that were crawling through the green light southbound at the bike path and then standing in the middle of the street while northbound rolled past them at 30 mph -- and that is a very narrow road, with not much room for safety! I hope the bicyclist in this story is OK but I saw a lot of risk takers today because of the beautiful weather... "Share the road" is a nice motto, but we motorists would like to say to bicyclists "Share it SAFELY, you are not invulnerable!"
Diane Meek
8:07 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Well said, Amelie. Also, bicyclists travel across Cedar Lane on the bike trail and I have seen many of them just keep on going, not stopping/looking for traffic on Cedar. We all have to be aware.
Wien
9:44 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
There are idiots taking every mode of transportation, including foot, bike, and car. As someone who runs almost every day, bikes every few, and drives every day, I can tell you I've seen more aggressive drivers than aggressive riders. Both sides should learn the to calm down. It's hilarious how it's a complete love-hate relationship, which leads to overblown exaggerations and extreme opinions - as is obvious every time there's a bike story on Patch or any other outlet.
I've been in close calls in a car, on a bike, and on my feet. Drivers with extreme opinions and hatred for bikers are much more common and dangerous than the oblivious Lance wannabes out there racing through stop signs. I wish everyone spent a little time in each others shoes.
I'm on the W&OD daily, and saying the "majority of people" don't have helmets is hardly a factual observation; in my hundreds of miles logged cycling/running per month, I can probably count the number of adult riders without helmets in a given week on a hand (now kids is another story, but that's a parental issue).
Concerned Trail User
3:54 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
I agree. Some bicyclists seem to feel entitled to ride as they please. Last week I saw a bicyclist cross at the Park Street and W&OD intersection near the community center in front of a fire truck en route to an emergency. The cyclist slowed at the stop sign, looked at the fire truck, which was only a few yards from the intersection, and continued across as if he had the road to himself or maybe he thought the fire truck should stop for him.
Cautious Biker
9:36 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
For every 1 example you cite, I suspect there are at least 5 examples of drivers on their cell phone, putting on makeup, and driving aggressively to make it home. The cross walks in Vienna take too long to allow bikers and walkers to cross and most cars on 123 will be more likely to speed up to get out of a parking lot then to wait a few more seconds for the biker or walker to cross. There should be fines for motorists that violate the rules, including not stopping for people or bikes crossing a crosswalk. Stop wining and slow down and show some courtesy for bikers.
Wien
9:52 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
As a "cautious runner," I must say that Reston is worse than Vienna. Many times at the crosswalk at Sunset Hills the close traffic will stop and wave me on, I'll venture a few steps into the crosswalk only to stand and watch four+ motorists look right at me (traveling at a low rate of speed) and just keep rolling...as I'm actively in the crosswalk.
To be fair to all comments in this thread, I find a majority of people in the area, especially those familiar with the W&OD, are fantastic. Despite the anti-bike sentiment, I've found all sides have a majority of cautious people.
When I'm running, I say about 90% of the time, if not more, people see me 6+ feet from the crosswalk and traffic stops for me.
And when biking, same thing, and I see probably 80%+ of bikers stopping at stop signs or at least slowing until a physical sign from a motorist it's safe to proceed.
And as a driver, a majority of motorists ahead of me (if not me, myself) will stop when a biker/runner/walker is even close to the crosswalk on the W&OD.
As I said earlier, idiots in every mode of transportation give the others a bad name. But I'd say in the realm of carelessness and aggressiveness, motorists are probably worse (especially distracted driving), followed by runners/walkers with their headphones too loud, and then the average biker (again, the Lance wannabes will always speed race through signs and take up the entire trail - as a runner, I dislike the racer "spandex mafia" at times).
InTouchWithVienna
9:50 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
It's not fair to imply that this was the biker's fault. I'm sure you will respond that you're not because you slipped in, "I hope the bicyclist in this story is ok". Just because you saw irresponsible people doesn't mean this biker was doing the same. Drivers tend to forget that they are surrounded by metal and airbags, and cyclists are not. Regardless of others following the rules of the road, drivers must be aware of pedestrians and cyclists alike and practice defensive driving.
Erica R. Hendry
9:51 am on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
We have updated this story with more information from Vienna Police.
Thanks,
Erica
Diana Rose
11:13 am on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
As a driver, pedestrian and biker - it is everyone's responsibility to do their activity within the law and with respect for others. Bikers do indeed try to go around the law by weaving in and out of traffic. I have seen numerous bikers (off the bike trail) without helmets and disobeying the law. There are an equal number of pedestrians walking or running on the wrong side of the road, on the road instead of the sidewalk, crossing roads illegally. I have seen many distracted or aggressive drivers.
It is indeed a biker's fault if they do not obey the law and come flying out of a driveway into the path of a car. If you know Patrick Street, there is are so many parked cars that it would be near impossible for a driver to see a biker come flying out of that shopping center. As you see from the facts, it is indeed the biker's fault. So stop assuming that drivers are doing everything wrong. All must do their activity with caution and within the law.
David Salzberg
6:22 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
At the WO & D crossings of Airhill, Church, Park, and Cedar, Bicycles have a stop sign and have to (legally) yield to traffic. Pedestrians, on the other hand, have the right of way, and cars have to yield to them in the crosswalk. That is unenforced Virginia laws.
Amelie Krikorian
9:01 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
You will note that I said on that particular day I saw a lot of people without helmets... It isn't always the case but that day I think spring fever hit people really hard. I am a very cautious driver because I almost always have my kids in the car. I applaud people who bike - it's great exercise. Just don't get yourself killed in front of my kids and make them afraid to ever ride a bike again. And stop setting a bad example for all the young people in Vienna! Ride with a helmet, obey the laws so drivers know what to expect from you. You will be the loser if your bike gets into an accident with a car.
Diana Rose
9:11 am on Thursday, April 5, 2012
Bravo Amelie. I fully agree with you.
Brendan C
11:07 pm on Thursday, April 12, 2012
Tonight there was a car and motorcycle collision on Park and Cedar. I saw the cyclist lying on the road, they put him in the ambulance, and the cops interviewed a white hair lady I assume to be the driver of the car. I assume the cyclist lived from observing the behavior of all those around.