Pedaling safely around UP
Ona Golonka
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: News
The fatal collision between a cyclist and two cars right at the University of Portland's doorstep was a sobering reminder that collisions occur, even in a bike-friendly city.
Bicyclist Kipp Crawford, 31, died after two cars hit him near the intersection of Willamette Boulevard and North Haven Avenue Nov. 4.
Police arrested two drivers and charged them with DUII.
The cyclist was already off his bike in the roadway when the cars struck him, according to Detective Mary Wheat of the Portland Police Bureau.
Police are still investigating how Kipp ended up in the street.
Though the incident made headlines around the region, cyclist collisions are rare occurrences around UP.
"We don't have too many of those accidents, fortunately," Harold Burke-Sivers, director of Public Safety, said.
According to Burke-Sivers, there was one incident last year in which bicyclists were riding two abreast in the bike lane when one was clipped by a car, which caused one bike to collide with the other.
So far this year, one collision has been reported to Public Safety.
It occurred while freshman Hayley Skelton was biking.
A bag, which hung on her bike's handlebars hit the front wheel and stopped the tire from moving. Skelton flew over the handlebars and fractured her wrist.
"Don't ride with things hanging on your handlebars," Skelton said.
Carrying items in a backpack or a bicycle basket or saddle bag are safer options.
Junior Alex Wentz, the President of the UP Cycling Club, formerly known as UP Velo, rides his bike almost every day.
"Riding is inherently dangerous, but as long as everyone is mindful and respectful of everyone else, everyone gets along fine," Wentz said.
According to Wentz, the most likely crash possibility would occur with a bike not stopping at a stop sign.
The bicyclist thinks the cars will wait or watch out for him or her, but drivers often do not see or may even ignore a bicyclist.
Bicyclist Kipp Crawford, 31, died after two cars hit him near the intersection of Willamette Boulevard and North Haven Avenue Nov. 4.
Police arrested two drivers and charged them with DUII.
The cyclist was already off his bike in the roadway when the cars struck him, according to Detective Mary Wheat of the Portland Police Bureau.
Police are still investigating how Kipp ended up in the street.
Though the incident made headlines around the region, cyclist collisions are rare occurrences around UP.
"We don't have too many of those accidents, fortunately," Harold Burke-Sivers, director of Public Safety, said.
According to Burke-Sivers, there was one incident last year in which bicyclists were riding two abreast in the bike lane when one was clipped by a car, which caused one bike to collide with the other.
So far this year, one collision has been reported to Public Safety.
It occurred while freshman Hayley Skelton was biking.
A bag, which hung on her bike's handlebars hit the front wheel and stopped the tire from moving. Skelton flew over the handlebars and fractured her wrist.
"Don't ride with things hanging on your handlebars," Skelton said.
Carrying items in a backpack or a bicycle basket or saddle bag are safer options.
Junior Alex Wentz, the President of the UP Cycling Club, formerly known as UP Velo, rides his bike almost every day.
"Riding is inherently dangerous, but as long as everyone is mindful and respectful of everyone else, everyone gets along fine," Wentz said.
According to Wentz, the most likely crash possibility would occur with a bike not stopping at a stop sign.
The bicyclist thinks the cars will wait or watch out for him or her, but drivers often do not see or may even ignore a bicyclist.
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