KansasSooner, Prefer the country (6/9/2009 5:28:03 PM)

It's sad that someone had to lose their life but this is a very good reason why bicyclers should remain off of highways. It's a wonder something like this hasn't happened before now. For years, bicyclers have flooded this stretch of SH51.

God Bless our Troops, Small town (6/9/2009 5:35:00 PM)

Hmmm I wonder if it has anything to do with the huge construction project they have going on over there. And you are right KansasSooner, they should not be on that road yet they still continue to do so.

somewear, Yale (6/9/2009 5:37:38 PM)

I agree Kansas... Sometimes (on and over hills) motorists can't see well enough to avoid an accident. My thoughts and prayers to this womans family and friends. Also to the men in the hospital. I hope they come out of this O.K.!!!

jonas x3, Tulsa (6/9/2009 5:40:45 PM)

About a month ago Tulsa was was give a "B"rating
by some organization (???) as a bike friendly city.
Those who cycle know this is not true at all.

Anyone who cycles alongside traffic should know that it is extremely dangerous. This is not Europe - far from it.

Our prayer go out to the cyclists and their families.

ShawnaS, Tulsa (6/9/2009 5:42:45 PM)

Isn't this the area being used for Freewheel right now? Not sure, I just know that cyclists use that stretch all the time to train. There's a wide median. The roads are legally for both cyclists and motorists. If motorists can't see (hills or not) they shouldn't be driving. I'm a runner and find it frightening to run on sidewalks and watch many drivers in this town with no clue how to drive.

KansasSooner, Prefer the country (6/9/2009 5:49:49 PM)

My daughters drove through the scene shortly after it happened and from my understanding, the accident occurred in the east bound direction. So the sun would've been behind them.

jlederer, (6/9/2009 5:54:02 PM)

Here we go again. Every time this happens, someone's got to go spouting off about they think cyclists shouldn't be on the roads, blah, blah, etc. Read the vehicle code before you embarass yourself anymore. I have used Hwy 51 as part af my training rides for years, with no problems. The shoulder is plenty wide. let's not go assigning blame until all the details are known. Speaking as someone in EMS, I can tell you there's always more to these types of stories than what makes it to the media. Also, thoughts and condolences to the families and friends of those involved.

ShawnaS, Tulsa (6/9/2009 6:03:30 PM)

News 6 is reporting open container. Nice.

Chautauqua, (6/9/2009 6:04:32 PM)

WRONG.

Avery Drive is a designated bike route. There are signs all along that road alerting drivers to that fact. It is such a stupid mindset and gut reaction to say that, because cars are bigger and faster, that the roads are made for them and them alone. It is just not true. It is state law, in fact, that clarifies this. Bicycles have just as much right to non-controlled access roads as a motor vehicle.

Now, who is to blame for this accident will be determined. Maybe the cyclist swerved. But considering, all three people were hit (and it is hard to miss seeing THREE cyclists) it is likely the motor vehicle driver's error. Maybe they were on their cell phone, or adjusting the radio, or just not paying attention. If the cyclists were hit from behind, like in any accident, the failure to yield will be on the approaching vehicle.

I am dismayed at the backward, and narrow viewpoint written in previous comments. It displays a lack of knowledge of the law, and most certainly, a closed mind. Cycling is a healthy, largely safe, activity, that is, until you inject a healthy dose of that backward redneck attitude into the mix.

FalconDriver, Tulsa (6/9/2009 6:06:40 PM)

jlederer you are right.

Looks like a DUI driver hit them.

KansasSooner, Prefer the country (6/9/2009 6:06:44 PM)

jlederer - could it be possible that the vehicle code is wrong and should be rewritten? I wonder if you believe it's perfectly safe the way cyclists cause traffic to back up on Avery Drive as they peddle their way toward SH51? Maybe Avery Drive should be changed to a bicycle path instead of the motor vehicle route it was developed to be.

T.B'Ville, Bartlesville (6/9/2009 6:06:50 PM)

News 2 just reported they have the driver for DUI and there are 2 dead now.

PR, (6/9/2009 6:13:58 PM)

Chautauqua - I agree. A lot of backwards thinking people on here.

This is a designated bike route. Everyone I know that drives this is well aware that cyclists use this road.

The open container is outrageous. TV is reportin two dead (as others have mentioned) and that the woman was going to be checked for DUI.

Very upsetting and frustrating.

jonas x3, Tulsa (6/9/2009 6:18:48 PM)

Cyclists may have the "right" to be on or alongside the road - but who wants to be right and dead at the same time.

Bless the families.

Few Clothes, Austin, TX (6/9/2009 6:20:21 PM)

Each of you have excellent posts. It does seem that drivers will drive as close to you when you are running or cycling. It would be interesting to know the mindset of these drivers.

jlederer, (6/9/2009 6:23:22 PM)

KansasSooner--so because you don't agree with the law, it should be rewritten? That'd be setting a dangerous precedent, if you ask me. Maybe drivers should be tested a lot more stringently before they're given a driver's license in this state. A lot of drivers around this area seem to have a very frail grasp on the rules of the road. And as FalconDriver commented, it appears alcohol may have been invovlved on the driver's part. So let's all be civil here and not turn this into another bash-the-cyclist thread.

Chautauqua, (6/9/2009 6:26:01 PM)

Kansas.

You are right. The vehicle code is wrong. It should do MORE to protect cyclists. It should either require bike lanes on all major streets (collectors and arterials) reinforce cyclists rights to the full lane.

Also, bicycle safety should be more prominent in Driver Education and the Drivers tests for licensing.

Plus, the penalty for aggressive or neglectful behavior towards cyclists should be made much more severe, especially in the case of accidents.

So, yes, I agree with you, KansasSooner.

I am sure we agree that if this driver was intoxicated, and she hit these people, killing two of them, that the maximum penalty should be sought.

Life in prison. No way should this person ever be allowed to endanger anyone our roads again.

CycleDog, Owasso (6/9/2009 6:26:56 PM)

Oddly, ninety nine percent of the motorists I encounter have little or no problem when they meet a cyclist on the road. The other one percent seems to congregate here. Maybe if you have a great deal of difficulty in safely passing a slow-moving bicyclist you should re-examine your driving skills.

Chautauqua, (6/9/2009 6:27:24 PM)

edit: It should either require bike lanes on all major streets (collectors and arterials) or reinforce cyclists rights to the full lane where there are not bike lanes.

KansasSooner, Prefer the country (6/9/2009 6:29:31 PM)

Very well said "Clothes". My comments failed to make it clear that it is the safety factor which concerns me more than anything. I could care less if people want to ride their bikes as long as they don't do it where they put their lives in danger like that presented on Avery Drive and SH51. Especially SH51 between SS/Pville and Mannford. I consider myself a safe and courteous driver but accidents do happen and I would certainly not want to be involved in any type of situation involving my 1+ ton motorized 4 wheel vehicle and a 2 or 3 wheel bike of any kind.

Graybeard, Tulsa (6/9/2009 6:34:09 PM)

Channel 6 reported that the driver of the SUV had an open container, was not aware that she had struck anything and had to be flagged down by another motorist that witnessed the accident. Evidently the cyclists were on the shoulder, not even in the lane and she ran them down from behind.
As a citizen I am sickened and as a cyclist, I am shaking with disgust at the situation. These innocents would have been hit if they were pedestrians, walking for a gas can.
Folks who don't know the whole story immediately say that the cyclists shouldn't be on that road? It's a designated bicycle route for Heaven's sake and has been for years.

jcavner, (6/9/2009 6:43:44 PM)

I am really beyond words. As a cyclist, I am pissed off beyond belief and at the same time sad for those we lost. My condolences to their friends and families. That's a well established cycling route for sure, but as the DUI details come out, it sounds like it wouldn't have mattered. Time for a couple of white bikes to be placed on the road, as sad as that is. The Wednesday night ride is going to be a pretty somber affair tomorrow.

FalconDriver, Tulsa (6/9/2009 6:47:42 PM)

Few Clothes, Austin, TX (6/9/2009 6:20:21 PM)
"It would be interesting to know the mindset of these drivers."
I think I know my friend.....
The mindset of the Tulsa driver:

It’s all about ME and how I get from point A to point B. YOU don’t matter. YOU are only in my way. It’s not a public roadway it’s MY roadway. It doesn’t matter if you are on a bicycle or in a Hummer.

From the sanctity of my car I will cut you off or cut in front of you but I would never have the courage to do this to you in the checkout line of the grocery store.

I will obey only the traffic laws that I agree with and if that inconveniences you somehow, then too bad because I have to RIGHT to choose which traffic laws I want to obey on any given day. It’s perfectly fine for me to drive 10 mph over the speed limit and use my turn signals if I happen to remember them.

The closer I get to the rear bumper of the car ahead of me, the faster the car ahead of me will go and I will get to my destination quicker.

I promise to devote at least 40% of my attention span towards driving while I’m in control and in motion.

junkman, Tulsa (6/9/2009 6:50:13 PM)

OMG....another drunk driver

Ayo, T-Town (6/9/2009 6:53:23 PM)

I come across the Wednesday bike riders on my way home. I try to be extra cautious, pay attention, and give them space. We all seem to turn and go uphill at the same time, and my car is a standard which gets tricky on the hill if I have to slow to a stop. If it's a huge group like there was the other day I'll drive a different route.

I've noticed that people in this region are less likely to give a biker or a pedestrian the right of way. It's different in the Pacific Northwest where it's common to stop for pedestrians and give bikers the right of way.

Up in OR my nephew's wife was hit while riding her bike. She got lucky and only suffered a broken ankle. The truck that hit her pulled out from a parking lot and never looked to see if anyone was coming. TX plates.

My condolences to the families of those who lost their lives today. Tomorrow will be the Wednesday bike run, and I hope all of you are able to ride safely.