UPDATED: Injured Cyclist in "Stable But Critical Condition"

Mission Street under the 101 is horrible for bicyclists. Improvements were approved in Feb.08, so get busy, Santa Barbara!
http://www.independent.com/news/2008/feb...

Until then, riders should use the much safer West Anapamu, West Micheltorena, or West Junipero Street bridges.

Better yet bicyclists, get a motorcycle. When ridden responsibly motorcycles are much safer than bicycles in the traffic mix with automobiles and trucks. Not a little scooter, or a giant Harley, but one of the "Dual-Sport" types. You are sitting high where you can see and be seen. You have acceleration and braking to match that of the other traffic. You don't need the deceptive painted-on bicycle lanes. Motorcycles like this are the "missing-link" in the search for viable transportation alternatives. www.ridetowork.org

Thanks LasBrisas, but people die using cars and motorcycles too. In fact, the odds appear to be in the cyclists' favor: http://www.nsc.org/lrs/statinfo/odds.htm... although that's probably because a lot more people drive than bike. It would be interesting to see this as per mile traveled.

In any case, some accidents are unavoidable. Avoid those you can, and don't let those you can't affect your perception of the real odds.

And respect the other lives sharing the road with you.

According to KSBY, the cyclist was traveling eastbound on Mission then the Nissan tried to get onto the Southbound 101. Not assigning fault, but this is a perfect example of a time when a cyclist should 'take the lane'. You can let cars pass on your right to get onto the 101, but you should look, signal, and merge into the through traffic. Take your place with everyone else in line at the light. Let cars onto the 101 on your right, and once through the intersection, when it starts going up hill again, go back to the right and let people pass.

Sticking to the right side of the road at that location is a recipe for disaster. Note: I don't know what this cyclist did.

If you're not comfortable doing that, then I humbly suggest green_helmet's optional routes.

I agree with Rich.

Also, being both a bicyclist AND a motorcyclist, I think that drivers of "boxes" (cars and trucks) should PAY BETTER ATTENTION. After all, the PRIVILEDGE of driving comes with a certain responsibility.

Unfortunately, we (including myself, sometimes) take the wheel with less of a thought for the "other guy", than our own selfish desires to get where we are going. And, should the worse come to pass, the cyclist will surely wind up in worse condition than the "boxer".

Rich thanks for the interesting statistics. However, you will find more useful ones at www.nhtsa.gov. Please notice that I referred to motorcycles ridden "responsibly." The statistics at NHTSA indicate that fully twenty-five percent of motorcycle fatalities occur to those who do not have a motorcycle endorsement on their driver's license. Securing that endorsement from DMV is a simple step to take. If you next eliminate alcohol and super-powered bikes ridden by inexperienced riders you are almost home free. As always your mileage may vary according to your attentiveness. It is also true as you stated that "some accidents are unavoidable." This is no place for complacency.

Rich - The problem with the statistics you posted the link to is, as you point out, they don't reflect how many people take part in these activities. Otherwise you would conclude that being legally executed is one of the safest things you can do...

LasBrisas comment right off the bat is so indicative of an attitude that is plain backwards and completely missing the point..putting more vehicles on the streets is whats gonna make accidents more pervasive...Yes, lets all buy more gas powered vehicles, thus crowding the roadways even more, and creating more pollution, thats intelligent thinking and planning,...and then the assumption that everyone can afford a vehicle. maybe this guy bikes to work to do his part for the environment...maybe I am misreading LasBrisas but according to that attitude it must be the bicyclists fault because he didn't get with the program and buy a motorcycle. I would go the other way...maybe the driver of the Nissan should have sold his vehicle and gotten a bicycle... less gas consuming, pollution producing vehicles on the road = less serious injury accidents.

pkirshtner you did miss my point. I am suggesting that many people would enjoy a lightweight motorcycle for many trips instead of a car, or SUV. Additionally the motorcycle can cover more distance in less time than a bicycle. All the time using less fuel and taking up much less space. They fill a void that exists between pedal power and the automobile. Bicycles are fun and useful. I have ridden them all of my life. However, unless we are going to take a technological evolutionary step backwards it is absurd to push them as a replacement for the automobile. We need to evolve our transportation system forward. Spend thirty minutes visiting www.unimodal.com They have a real solution than can be operated from the excess energy produced by the Lompoc wind farm. They also logically debunk the myths perpetuated by the "light" rail and bus people. One more point, the SUV in this accident was red. If you see a red car, or worse yet a cluster of them, watch out! Red cars are involved in significantly more accidents than other colors.