RomeosTune, Tulsa (6/10/2009 6:16:45 AM)

I'm so sorry for these folks. So sad. I will have to disagree with the ones saying it's ok for them to ride on busy roads. I mean sure, it's law and that makes it all good right? Wrong. I don't have a thing against cyclists. I ride a bike and a bicycle for exercise. I stay in the park or neighborhood roads when on my bicycle because it's dangerous for gosh sakes to ride on a busy road and I'm sorry but it's just not smart.

I'm not trying to torque you all off at all. Traffic has changed, people have fits of road rage. I've been with someone when they got mad at a cyclist minding his own business. Slowed us down a whole 20 seconds but he was literally coming unglued. I don't ride with him anymore. For those that continue to ride in the traffic I wish you luck. You need it. If I see you I'll wave and be on my way and wish you the same luck in person.

RomeosTune, Tulsa (6/10/2009 6:35:27 AM)

This woman bares a striking resemblance to the woman that killed the people on Memorial. Kim Graham I think was her name. She won't see the light of day for a while and deservedly so.

RomeosTune, Tulsa (6/10/2009 1:15:55 PM)

Daniel Day,

I assume that you meant to type cut and paste instead of click and paste. If you're going to slam people for something you might want to at least get the part you're slamming them for correct.

Daven, Tulsa (6/9/2009 8:46:45 PM)

Suspected drunk driver and the driver was attempting to leave the scene until they were stopped by another motorist according to KTUL. Amazing!! If you saw the track that this driver took after hitting the bicyclists......

Lock her up and throw away the key!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Karee, Tulsa (6/10/2009 3:54:20 PM)

The SUV driver was drunk and the bicyclists were riding on the shoulder in training formation, (one directly behind the other). Same roads - Same Rules! Bicycles have as much right to the road as cars! Thoughts and prayers are with the families of these young athletes and the cyclist in the hospital.

Karee, Tulsa (6/13/2009 7:15:21 PM)

M_Conners, It's very dangerous to smoke cigarettes too, but I see from your picture that you partake.

As far as hurting other people...second...hand...smoke.

That said, RoadCyclist, I agree with you totally. I don't really ride my bike on the road but my sister does and she is a dedicated athlete. I pray that a DRUNK DRIVER never comes upon her and her bike group as they train.

As far as the laws go, I know that most cyclists I have been around DO use hand signals at intersections and when I have ridden with my sister on occasion, we always obey the traffic signals and avoid major roads, using the neighborhood bike paths when available.

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.

Graybeard, Tulsa (6/10/2009 6:27:14 AM)

The driver of the SUV will be named, as will her victims. The story is too new, and the deceased's relatives may not have been notified. Just what does the above comment have to do with this horrible and sad event?

Mar, Tulsa (6/9/2009 7:49:07 PM)

Also Falcon Driver you forgot to mention, so I will add My life is more important than everyone elses. All my cell phone calls and text messages I make and receive are more important than everyone elses safety.

For the comments made about having bike lanes. Well it would be a great idea, they have a lot of those in Europe. Now if Tulsa did that you wouldn't complain about your taxes going way up to pay for building the bike lanes, would you?

When I'm out driving, when I see cyclists, motorcyclists or people driving while on cell phones, I keep my distance giving them plenty of room.

Driving with an open alcohol container, no doubt she had been drinking. How stupid is that?

Condolences to the families of the cyclists that have died.

Eric, Tulsa (6/10/2009 7:24:04 AM)

...

"aggressive drivers on almost every ride"

...

Truer words were neer spoken.

It doesn't matter if a bicyclist is on a private drive or public road, too many motorists (sober or not) in their 2500+ lb. vehicle act with indignation when spotting a cyclist on the road.

It is the worst form of road rage.

SHARE the road, d@mn it!

...
..
.

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.

YAYTulsa, Catoosa, OK (6/10/2009 9:00:04 AM)

The #()$*& was drunk at 1 pm??!!! wow.....

Daddyof2, Cheyenne, WY (6/9/2009 10:52:42 PM)

I was hit from behind on my bicycle back in 1995 on the River road...in particular, that dangerous and now well-marked curve where Delaware becomes 121st. The driver not only overloaded his truck and trailer but took the turn too fast and lost control. I can tell you God was watching over me that day if the condition of the bike was any indication.

Since 12 feet is the average lane width of today's standards and the cyclists were using the shoulder, also 12 feet wide, there really isn't any excuse. If she was indeed drunk and still chose to drive and was so out of it that she didn't realize she ran over not one but three cyclists, she should never drive again.

I have a novel idea for you hot-headed drivers: try to get along. It's less stressful for you and for the other people involved, you have better chances of arriving in one piece and it is less likely that you will be answering a manslaughter charge.

tulsandn, Boswell / Tulsa (6/10/2009 8:19:42 AM)

In 2000 I was hit by a hit & run driver on my bike at 56th & Sheridan, I wasn't seriously hurt physically but to watch her drive down the road as I layed in the street with my bike on top of me is something I'll never forget....

I'll never forget those 4 teenagers who stopped to help me either....thank you....

This story just makes that memory come flooding back....

My prayers are with those families and friends....

concernedpapa, Kiefer (6/10/2009 5:20:56 AM)

my heartfelt condolences to the friends and familys of the victims. As common sense when ever I see a cyclist on the road be it two lane or six lane I try and show extra caution. I understand these were very skilled cyclists, but as a driver I have no way of knowing that. Lets face it people, it just doesn't take that long to lift your foot off the gas and watch out for the person on the bike.
As for the driver NO MERCY

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.

FS, Broken Arrow (6/10/2009 10:11:58 AM)

While bicycles do have the right of way, their safety isn't helped by their stupidity. No way in creation would I be riding where there really wasn't space for the bicycle.

Most people don't pay any attention to their driving; they worry about kids, pets, sometimes makeup and other nonsense and get themselves into situations where they're going to run into things. The fact that some like to get drunk and drive doesn't help the odds facing the bicyclists.

Bicyclists - get off the narrow and busy streets and roads that give you nowhere to go.

As with the old TV ad of 30+ years ago: Yes, they had the "right of way" - dead right.

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.

Lawrence, Tulsa (6/10/2009 2:18:00 PM)

wow, so sad and more so because it did not have to happen

Lawrence, Tulsa (6/10/2009 2:21:51 PM)

people, people, people

Being right doesn't help when you're six foot under. Pedestrians and bicyclists MUST be careful and really should stay off roads like this.

SnowNinja, Tulsa (6/10/2009 11:23:39 AM)

I personally think that if anyone who gets behind the wheel of a vehicle intoxicated and kills someone because of it, they should be charged with 2nd degree murder instead of manslaughter!