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Bicyclist Seriously Hurt by Water Delivery Truck Save Email Print
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Wednesday, August 6, 2008 --- 12:50 p.m.

According to the Madison Police Department:

Just before 9:00 a.m. Wednesday morning a bicyclist was seriously injured on West Washington Avenue after being run over by the rear tires of a truck that was delivering jugs of drinking water to downtown businesses.

Witnesses report the cyclist and the truck were both outbound on West Washington Avenue when the truck began to make a right turn onto Henry Street. The cyclist hit her brakes to prevent striking the truck. This caused her to go over the top of her handlebars and slide beneath the truck. She was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. The initial investigation indicates the truck's driver was not at fault in the accident.

Bicyclist suffered serious injuries. They are not thought to be life threatening.

______________________________________________________

Wednesday, August 6, 2008 --- 10:30 a.m.

A 21-year-old woman was taken to a Madison hospital with serious injuries this morning after being struck by a water delivery truck.

The woman was riding a bicycle when she was struck on West Washington Avenue near North Henry Street, Madison police said.

The incident occurred at 8:56 a.m.

Police spokesman Joel DeSpain said the woman turned in front of the truck before she was struck. No other information was available.

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Posted by: Jdoe supporter Location: madison on Aug 11, 2008 at 08:40 AM
I agree with jdoe- bikes deserve more respect- they also deserve to pay registration fees like cars do, licensing fees like cars do, since we have bike only lanes all over Madison, and bike trails all over dane county, let them pay their fair share to maintain the bike lanes on the streets. they should also get tickets for driving on the sidewalks, b/c heaven knows you get one if you drive your car down a crowded sidewalk! So come on Madison- you progressive little community you- tax the hell out of bike owner operators, ticket them for the same stuff cars get tickets for- operating unlicensed veh; driving wrong way down street, driving on sidewalks, driving too fast for conditions, following too closely! they want part of the road, they can help through registration fees and taxes pay for the repairs! Riding a bike is not "taking the initiative"- it is just doing what you can afford, or what is trendy. Hey Jdoe- go play with your play doh & let the big people talk here.
Posted by: Alan Location: Madison on Aug 11, 2008 at 08:29 AM
depending on her injuries, and the extent, maybe death would have been a kinder end to this story. sure would suck if she had to have both legs amputated because the bones/ muscles/ flesh was too badly damaged to save.
Posted by: Deke Location: Madison on Aug 8, 2008 at 12:35 AM
To= Duh Yes, I have ridden a bike. As a mattter of fact I own two of them, a touring bike for summer time, and a mountain bike for winter time when the conditions get too slippery for the narrow touring bike tires. I have ridden a bike in Madison for over 35 years, and in cities such as San Antonio, Dallas (where I was a neighborhood/ bike patrol officer for four years), New York, West Palm Beach, Chicago, Minneapolis, Sioux city, Denver, and Washington D.C. So, what was your point? If, & when you answer back, try to show some originality, OK?
Posted by: Van Location: Madison on Aug 7, 2008 at 08:13 PM
“I would like to speak with anyone who saw this collision or knows the people involved. I am not an attorney and I am not the police. Please call me at 262-347-9105., -Van”
Posted by: duh Location: madison on Aug 7, 2008 at 02:26 PM
have you EVER even ridden a bike Deke?
Posted by: D Location: Madison on Aug 7, 2008 at 01:58 PM
To Jdoe from Madison, If they are allowed on the streets with motor vehicles they need to follow the rules of the road the rest of us do, right down the point of tickets etc when they break the law like the rest of us. There are Responsible Bikers out there i dont doubt it but for the most case what i have personally witnessed many violate the laws they have to obey the laws like the rest of us
Posted by: Tina Location: Madison on Aug 7, 2008 at 12:50 PM
I know this young woman and can underscore the comments that she is a serious, careful cyclist my family and I are praying for her full recovery
Posted by: jdoe Location: madison on Aug 7, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Bikes have just as much right to be on the roads as cars do. Bikers should get more respect than what they do, considering that they are acutally taking the initiative to BIKE to their destinations and not lazily drive every single place that they go. Most of these people complaining about bikers, have probably never even been on one and hop in their car to drive 2 miles away. Stop being so short-sighted people and respect bikers for the effort that they are making.
Posted by: Deke Location: Madison on Aug 7, 2008 at 10:27 AM
If she was such an avid biker, as someone who supposedly knows her said, why was she not able to stop her bike without flipping herself over the handlebars? I consider Lance Armstrong to be an avid biker, and I don't ever, never ever ever, recall reading about him flipping himself over the handle bars! I bet none of the avid bikers on the olympic biking team flip themselves over the handle bars. I can think of about 200 bike riders in Madison every day who don't flip themselves over the handlebars. So, what was her qualifications for being an avid biker again?
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 7, 2008 at 08:27 AM
This is sad.. we had a friend who got a full scholarship to asu to play volleyball, two weeks into her freshman semester she was killed this same way... I hope the rider turns out ok!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 7, 2008 at 05:02 AM
John, you're kidding right? Denver has had a rail system for years. When I lived there about 5 years ago, the rail was painfully under utilized. Thankfully now its becoming more popular, but still is not a money maker. Denver metro area: approx. 1.5 million in population. Dane county, not as much as Denver metro area. Give it a rest Madison! You don't need a trolley or anything that resembles it. Save your money and elect a city/county gov't, to include a mayor and D.A. who aren't morons.
Posted by: Mav Location: Madison on Aug 6, 2008 at 09:20 PM
Let's focus our thoughts and prayers on the young woman who is suffering from serious injuries and the driver of the truck (who is also severely suffering). As a witness and first responder to this accident, I can assure everyone that it has been a horrible experience for all those involved. Top line -- accidents can and will happen. We can be thankful for caring and compassionate "friends" when life takes a turn for the worse.
Posted by: rules rules Location: madison on Aug 6, 2008 at 08:07 PM
I'd bet the farm that she came up along the right side of the truck and was in his blind spot. Maybe the truck driver didn't have his signal on maybe he did. I drive large snow plow in winter and school bus. Never go on the right side of a large vehicle at any intersection. You're just asking for trouble. I hope she heals quickly. Regardless, if rules were followed etc. she'd have stayed behind the truck as if she were another vehicle. I do not view bicycles as pedestrians. I view them as another vehicle on the road. That's what I was taught in drivers' ed. They're not pedestrians until they get off the bike and walk with it. That also goes for cross walks too. If the rider doesn't get off the bike (ah-lah instant pedestrian) to walk across the road with the bike (in a cross walk) I will not stop for them. I also don't stop for pedestrians if they're not in a cross walk and they're waiting to cross a street. Zat's the law. "stop for pedestrians IN CROSSWALK"
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 6, 2008 at 07:43 PM
what are bike lanes for? some of you are so stupid, just go run out in traffic please.
Posted by: Response to John on Aug 6, 2008 at 06:18 PM
Yeah, John, and they'll be able to deliver water on the trolly and bikers will also just stop biking and use the trolly. Great idea. Go spend some more money on it.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 6, 2008 at 05:43 PM
Perhaps a story on laws and safety concerning cycling in the city- and outside as well- is in order here. I know I would be intersted in learning more.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 6, 2008 at 04:15 PM
Bikers have the same rules of the road as cars but very rearly follow those rules. I am betting this truck was not making a turn at a high rate of speed, so I am betting this biker had on her IPOD, and was not paying attention. We need to share the road with bikers, BUT bikers are just as respondsible for thier own safety
Posted by: Jan Location: Mt. Horeb on Aug 6, 2008 at 04:09 PM
I live in the country along the path that the Ironman contest goes. As soon as the snow melts, bicyclists are out training, which is great. The thing that gets frustrating are the bicyclists that ride side by side (isn't that illegal??) and block the way for the motor vehicles. The highway I live on is very windy and there are a few blind corners, let alone good places to pass these folks that refuse to ride single file. I'm so afraid I'm going to hit a bicyclist coming around one of those corners, or cause an accident because I have to go as slow as they are in a 55 MPH zone with cars coming up behind me. I have no problem with the bicyclists that obey the rules. Hey, I'm willing the share the road if you are - just doesn't seem like too many of them have learned that whole sharing concept yet. Please be careful.
Posted by: Mary Location: Madison on Aug 6, 2008 at 04:08 PM
I really hope the woman recovers soon. As far as the bikers, we wouldn't have to complain if they followed the rules!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 6, 2008 at 04:01 PM
I think that any bicyclist over the age of 16 that does not have a drivers' license should be mandated to take a drivers' safety course. It may be that some bicyclists do not know how the rules of the road apply to them. Maybe an online course is appropriate for riders under the age of 16? It's important for motor vehicle drivers and bicyclists to know what is appropriate interaction with each other. I'm not talking about things like red lights or stop signs, as those should be a given. Rather, I'm thinking of circumstances just as this: bicyclists need to be aware that they are in a driver's blind spot as they attempt to make a right hand turn. Granted, the driver should be checking that blind spot, but cyclists need to be aware. Any cyclists should be subject to the same types of tickets (i.e. inattentive driving, inappropriate turns, etc.) with the completion of this course. Don't know on what scale that already occurs.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 6, 2008 at 03:59 PM
I actually do have a life (to annoynomous) and do believe that NOT stopping for a red light when on a boke is pretty serious. I have often been in intersections with kids, strollers, and/or dogs and have had the right of way, when a person on a bike continues through a red light.
Posted by: D Location: Madison on Aug 6, 2008 at 03:44 PM
To Anonymous at 2:50 pm, I highly doubt you are a cop because of your spelling alone. Roads are made for MOTOR VEHICLES, and as far as i know Bicycles have NO MOTOR therefore they need to be on bike paths or sidewalks, I have yet to see pd pull over any one on a bike for a driving violation
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 6, 2008 at 03:38 PM
Commenting on news should not be permitted. WOW.
Posted by: John Location: Madison on Aug 6, 2008 at 03:04 PM
This is another reason why we need trolley cars and light rail in Dane County. The streets are too congested for pedestrians, bikes, mopeds, motorcycles and cars to coexist.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 6, 2008 at 02:59 PM
What kind of water were they delivering? Was it purified?
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 6, 2008 at 02:50 PM
As a cop in the downtown area I feel its important to stop bikes who are not following the traffic laws. I work a bike assisngment during the summer in which bike cops gave out over 130 citations last year, primarily in the campus area to cyclists not following laws. The below comments about stay off the roads is bogus. Bikes belong on the roads, not the sidewalks. But in doing so, they need to follow the laws. Every year an informational campaign is done to alert cyclists to the rules of the road, but we must remember, each year the downtown area gets a whole new group of people due to the UW. As a driver of a vehicle, we must all remember that cyclists do not always follow rules, just like other drivers, and we need to watch out for them. As a "safe" driver, its everyone's responsibility to drive defensively and watch out for those who aren't so safe to prevent incidents like this. In this case both parties were probably not doing what they should have to stay safe.
Posted by: Anonymous # 2 Location: Madison on Aug 6, 2008 at 02:29 PM
I completely agree with Anonymous, hope and pray that the girl is ok, and quit gripping about how bicylists don't obey the laws. If your only concern is that "they don't stop for red lights" then you have a serious problem.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 6, 2008 at 01:49 PM
I saw this accident. She was not at fault. It was an accident, they happen. She was in pretty bad shape. Stop using this story to whine and complain about bicyclists and get a life.
Posted by: Sara on Aug 6, 2008 at 01:48 PM
As a walker and driver, I pay close attention to cars and bikes. West Washington is a tough place- I go there a lot and have to pay EXTRA attention to the bikers who do not obey traffic laws. I hope this woman will be okay. I hope this is a wake up call to many people- bikers do need to follow the rules as well!!!!
Posted by: justme Location: madison on Aug 6, 2008 at 01:44 PM
I know the person that was hit and she does follow the rules of the road. she is an avid rider and considerate to others on the road, motor vehicle or cyclist. I've seen more drivers than riders get rude. Cars swerving at riders, honking their horns, pulling in front of the rider and slamming on their brakes. I think everyone needs to just slow down and remember the golden rule, treat others as you would want to be treated.
Posted by: hello2 Location: Madison on Aug 6, 2008 at 12:46 PM
I hope she is ok as well,however, if they ride on the streets and roads, they need to follow all the traffic rules and traffic signs. Many time when I have to stop for a red light they pause look both ways and then go. I can't do that I have to wait even if there are no cars coming. I have also seen them ride onthe sidewalk and they think they belong there. Last time I mentioned it to a bike rider, he actually stopped and wanted to fight and got extremely rude. He told me I was wrong and he can ride anywhere and anyhow he wants. OF course alot of riders are not rude and do pay attention to all the rules of the road, however in what I see, more and more do not follow the rules.
Posted by: stefanie Location: madison on Aug 6, 2008 at 12:34 PM
D at 11:30am. I couldn't agree with you more with regard to if bicyclists are going to be on the road, they NEED TO FOLLOW THE RULES at all times; not just when it is convenient for them. Thank you to all you bicyclists who do follow the rules...as you are out there...to those who don't...take note and learn a lesson. It could be a matter of life or death.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 6, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Driving in Madison is dangerous because bikers are not following traffic laws- I stop at red lights, why don't they?
Posted by: Mary Location: McFarland on Aug 6, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Bikes ARE supposed to follow all traffic laws if they are driving on the roads. As a biker, I wish the police would ticket riders who don't follow traffic laws. This is a scary story and I hope the biker is ok.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 6, 2008 at 11:51 AM
is it illegal to use a non motorized vehichle only on highways or is it on all roads?
Posted by: D Location: Madison on Aug 6, 2008 at 11:30 AM
I agree with Anon at 10;37 am, Bicycles are NOT a motor vehicle they belong on the sidewalk and bike path, If they are to be considered a motor vehicle and are to use the roads with Cars,Trucks etc they should be held to the same traffic laws, which they violate(running red lights) Tailgating etc and Yielding, and Darting in and out of traffic
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 6, 2008 at 10:55 AM
ouch hope she lives
Posted by: ANON on Aug 6, 2008 at 10:37 AM
One more reason why bikes belong on BIKE PATHS not city streets and highways.
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