If anyone saw anything please report it (Austin: 2009, university)

[woodinvilleguy]

statesman.com | Police seek car that hit cyclist downtown | The Blotter

Police seek car that hit cyclist downtown

Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 03:41 PM
Austin police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a person who was driving a car that hit a 27-year-old bicyclist at Lavaca and Fifth streets about 2:30 a.m. June 23, police said in a statement.
The cyclist was hit from behind by a car that fled the scene, the statement said. Witnesses told a friend of the cyclist that the suspect vehicle was a taxi cab, the document said.
The cyclist’s friend took him to an area hospital with serious injuries that are not considered life-threatening, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Vehicular Homicide Detectives at 974-4761.

[inthecut]

I deal with that every day....I can feel the wind of the vehicles swoop past me......

Please, new Mayor, grant us bicycle lanes....

[Exiled Texan]

Cycling at 2:30 am?

[inthecut]

Originally Posted by Exiled Texan

Cycling at 2:30 am?

That is weird, but doesn't excuse the hit-and-run......involuntary manslaughter could be charged if the guy dies......sounds like he's mighty banged-up....
next time take a pedi-cab...at least they don't kill bikers....far as I know, anyway...

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by Exiled Texan

Cycling at 2:30 am?

Lots of people are out at 2.30 am. Lots of people commute by bike exclusively.

[Exiled Texan]

Not excusing it, I just wonder who is biking at that time of night. I guess maybe a bar tender getting off work? I'm not out that late. Guess people are!

[mimimomx3]

I'm not either! But I admire people who can have a car free life, even at night.

[twange]

Originally Posted by Exiled Texan

Not excusing it, I just wonder who is biking at that time of night. I guess maybe a bar tender getting off work? I'm not out that late. Guess people are!

A lot of people are out at 2:30. Anyone who works 2nd shift jobs of any kind. Not just bartenders, strippers, musicians and other miscreants When I worked 2nd shift, I would go running around 2am.

As for bike lines (inthecut), the city just passed a new master bike plan that is supposed to drastically improve the city's bike infrastructure. Let's hope it gets done.

News: Bike Plan Passes: 2020, Here We Come - The Austin Chronicle

The dirty pig who hit this guy and fled, should be heavily prosecuted. Make an example out of him.

[Trainwreck20]

Again, the issue for me is the fleeing the scene. I am hoping that someone was there (it sounds like there was) to render some kind of aid. When it comes down to deciding whether you 'get in trouble' or someone dies, I think it ought to be a no-brainer.

As for biking in the middle of the night, that is not, in of itself, a problem - just make sure you have lights on and are wearing light clothing.

[CptnRn]

When I was in college in Denver I lived on the East side of downtown and road my 10 speed across town to the university whenever the weather allowed. I used low traffic side streets and sidewalks as much as possible, as it is obviously more dangerous to ride a bicycle in traffic lanes. I don't understand why more people don't use their bicycles on sidewalks more in Austin. It seems like it is asking for trouble to do otherwise when there is no bicycle lane available.

I have heard that in the Central Business District of Austin is is illegal to ride a bike on the sidewalk. That makes some sense on heavy pedestrian streets like Congress Avenue & 6th Street, but it makes no sense to me on less heavily pedestrian side streets.

As a result this bicyclist who was hit at Lavaca and Fifth streets was required by law to be riding in the street, in the dark at 2AM, when there was probably a much safer sidewalk nearby.