General Discussion Triathlon Talk » once again, drivers don't car Rss Feed  
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2005-12-22 1:09 PM

Veteran
187
100252525
NYC
Subject: once again, drivers don't car
I guess we can thank the transit union for forcing us to find alternate means, or stupid drivers for just not respecting us. This is a member of my tri club. Please say a prayer for him.

AP ARTICLE:

AP)NEW YORK Off-duty firefighter Matt Long was critically injured Thursday morning after being struck by a private bus. Long was riding a bike from his home in the 40's to his job on Randall's Island, where he teaches at the fire academy.

Long was hit at 5:58 a.m. on 52nd Street and Third Avenue in midtown Manhattan.

The 12 year FDNY veteran was transferred to New York Weill-Cornell Medical Cente! r where he is in critical condition. He suffered multiple fractutres and internal injuries. Long already underwent one surgery and another is scheduled for later. Doctors are optimistic he will survive.

The bus involved in the accident is owned by Allen AME Transportation and is affiliated with the Greater Allen AME
Cathedral in Jamaica, Queens, which is run by the Rev. Floyd Flake, an influential clergyman and former Democratic congressman.

"I really can't discuss it,' said a woman who answered the phone at the company. "I don't know anything."

No charges were filed; the accident remained under investigation.

Matt Long is the s! on of State Conservative Party Leader, Michael Long. Both of his brothers are also firefighters.


2005-12-22 1:23 PM
in reply to: #310667

Subject: ...
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2005-12-22 2:22 PM
in reply to: #310667

Expert
928
50010010010010025
Kaneohe, Hawaii
Subject: RE: once again, drivers don't car

You know, its stories like this that give me so much intrepidation about riding my bike. I've lived on both US coasts and several places in between (as well as 1 year in Korea) and I can honestly say that Hawaii has the absolute WORST drivers I've ever seen. I've recently been considering the option of commuting to work 2 or 3 days each week but given the lack of ability displayed by local drivers, the hours of darkness that I would be forced to ride during and the constant trickle of news articles regarding athletes being run down by inattentive motorists... its a struggle to come to a desicion.

My God bless Matt Long and his family during their time of uncertainty and may he have a speedy recovery.

2005-12-23 6:33 AM
in reply to: #310729

Pro
3705
20001000500100100
Vestavia Hills
Subject: RE: once again, drivers don't car

My God bless Matt Long and his family during their time of uncertainty and may he have a speedy recovery.

Art -

While I tend to think the worst driver/least bike-friendly drivers reside in Atlanta, I have to agree hands-down that you pretty summed up the common sentiment above.

Is it that I am just paying attention more now that I am on the road more (900+ miles since mid-August) or is it open season on cyclist?

 

2005-12-23 7:46 AM
in reply to: #310667

Expert
702
500100100
Manchester, NH
Subject: RE: once again, drivers don't car

Matt and his family get a prayer from NH. 

2005-12-23 8:56 AM
in reply to: #310667

COURT JESTER
12230
50005000200010010025
ROCKFORD, IL
Subject: RE: once again, drivers don't car
Prayers sent


2005-12-23 10:51 AM
in reply to: #310925

Extreme Veteran
370
1001001002525
Mesa AZ
Subject: RE: once again, drivers don't car

Is it that I am just paying attention more now that I am on the road more (900+ miles since mid-August) or is it open season on cyclist?

Having gotten clipped while in a BIKE LANE, I'm just convinced that the world is in too much of a hurry and people aren't paying attention.  It's terrifing though; I now ride only during the day, have an extra pound or more of lights and safety gear on my bike and tell my husband my route before I go out because I just don't trust people...

I will keep Matt in my thoughts and send him and his family what strength I have.

2005-12-23 1:29 PM
in reply to: #310667

Pro
3673
200010005001002525
MAC-opolis
Subject: RE: once again, drivers don't car
Being a south Florida resident means taking your life in your hands when you ride the streets. I try and do my long rides Sunday evenings at the local mall. The "loop" around any good sized mall is anywhere from 1.5 - 2.5 miles. Sunday nights the mall closes at 6pm which means I pretty much get the loop to myself. It's a little boring after the first 40 miles, but at least it's safe.
2005-12-23 4:27 PM
in reply to: #310667

Master
2033
200025
Subject: RE: once again, drivers don't car

He will be in my prayers...

I frequently pull my 18 month old in one of those trailers and it scares me to deth sometimes... But she loves to ride with me and I love to take her so I keep doing it. We just avoid busy streets. I wish cars would just slow down and watch where they are going.

2005-12-24 9:19 AM
in reply to: #310667

Veteran
187
100252525
NYC
Subject: RE: once again, drivers don't car
thanks for all the good thoughts. Just an update - the driver of the bus got a ticket for making an illegal right turn. yeah, a turn right into Matt. Apparently he was dragged under the bus, and was tangled in the frame of his bike. A nurse at the hospital said it's a miracle he survived. They finally stopped the internal bleeding, and last I heard he has two broken femurs, a broken pelvis, amongst other internal injuries. But he's a fighter! It's been on the news here in NYC a lot, probably b/c he's a fireman. Even mayor bloomberg went to visit him.
so keep the prayers up. They seem to be working.
2005-12-24 10:17 AM
in reply to: #311365

Champion
6539
5000100050025
South Jersey
Subject: RE: once again, drivers don't car
THanks for the update. I am so sorry to hear about your friend, and he & and his family will be in my thoughts.

In some way, it's great that he's been on the news a lot because perhaps it will make drivers more aware of the bikers they share the road with.


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