This Tuesday a bicyclist was killed in a crash with a San Diego trolley car on Imperial Ave. in the Mountain View area.
Police report that the collision took place at about 5:20 PM when the male
bicyclist ignored the railroad crossing arms and rode around them, straight
into an incoming Eastbound trolley. You can see the
San Diego Times article here.
What in the world was this man thinking?! His mistake in judgement resulted
in a tragedy that not only prematurely ended his life, but one that has
changed the lives of his friends and family and the passengers on that
Eastbound trolley.
While all of us can identify with the frustration of waiting for the railroad
crossing arms to ascend, we all know they are there to keep us safe from
the crossing trains and trolleys!
As bicyclists it is easy to think we’re above the rules. After all,
bicycles are so much more agile than cars, and we’ve honed our powers
of perception from constant vigilance and defensive riding. But, the security
you feel in your saddle is sometimes false. As this incidence illustrates,
nobody is above the rules.
So go ahead, go for a Thanksgiving ride, but please: if you hear the ding-ding-dinging
of railroad arms descending, STOP YOUR BIKE, take a deep breath, and count
your many blessings.
Happy Thanksgiving.