Charlotte Velo

Bicyclist Robert Grubbs, 59,  was involved in a bicycle-automobile collision on November 8th, 2011 at 10:47 am.    Grubbs was treated on the scene for minor injuries.  The crash occurred in the new bike lanes of East Blvd. at   Dilworth Rd. East.   The driver was stopped then started a right turn and crashed into Grubbs in the bike lane.  Grubbs was traveling straight.  BicycleSafe.com calls this situation the ‘Red Light of Death’.  Bicycle Box facilities help avoid this situation when both vehicles are stopped by the light, but when a bicyclist is traveling in a bike lane and catches the light ‘just right’, stopped cars turning right are potentially lethal.

November 15, 2011.  Bicyclist Thomas Dee McSwain, 62.  of Cherryville, was involved in a bicycle-automobile crash in Shelby.  McSwain was taken to CMC (Charlotte)  with obvious injuries.  According to Shelby police, while traveling west on East Marion Street and being followed by a car, McSwain darted out in front of the car.  The incident happened near the intersection of North Poston Street.  The driver was not charged with any infractions.

October 25, 2011.  6:38pm

Bicyclist Christopher Gongon, was hit by a vehicle driven by 71 year old, Gerald Anderson, on Colony Rd at the Morrowick Rd intersection.  Anderson was making a left turn from Colony Rd., northbound.   Gongon entered the intersection straight from the south bound bike lane.  This was a classic ‘left cross’ collision.  EMTs were on the scene, but according to the police report Gongon was not seriously harmed – the bike was damaged.

At this location, Colony Rd has speed limit of 35 mph, is two traffic lanes in each direction and has bike lanes.  Anderson was not cited for any traffic violations.  DRIVER #1 STATED THAT…HE STRUCK UNIT #2.  HE STATED HE NEVER SAW UNIT #2

I wish Gongon a speedy return to bicycling. Read more »

October 1, 2011.  Bicyclist, Dr. Mike, of UNC-Charlotte was involved in a crash on Pentlow Pl.  Dr. Mike was taken to CMC with obvious injuries.  The reason for the crash is unknown.  Dr. Mike doesn’t remember what knocked him off the bike at 25 mph.   The witness account is sketchy.   The conditions were dry and it was still daylight.  First responders included the fire department and the EMTs.

Dr. Mike is a serious bicycle advocate and a daily commuter.  He might even read this post.  Please join me in wishing him a full and speedy recovery.

According to Dr. Mike “That my bike helmet probably saved my life!” Read more »

10/10/2011

On Monday October 10th at 1pm Representative Pricey Harrison (Dem) of the North Carolina General Assembly, was involved in a bicycle-automobile collision.  Harrison, of Greensboro,  was transported to REX with obvious injuries.  Harrison entered the crosswalk on her bicycle from the sidewalk and was hit by the vehicle.  The driver, Travis Bennett, 21, was charged with running the red light.   Bennett lives 12 miles from the crash.

Pricey Harrison is strong bicycling advocate.  I wish her a fast and full recovery and a swift return to bicycling advocacy. Read more »

July 19, 2011.  6:40pm.  Charlotte legendary bicyclist Mark Ortiz was involved in a bicycle-motorcycle crash up in Concord.  I wish Mark a full and speedy recovery. Here the details as submitted by Mark on CharlotteVelo:

I got hit by a motorcycle, Tuesday, July 19.  This happened at the intersection of Irish Potato Rd. and Old Concord-Salisbury Rd., about 6:40pm.
The motorcycle had right of way and I pulled out from the stop sign in front of him.  Entirely my fault, on the face of it — except I could not see the motorcyclist because he was close behind the left rear corner of a right-turning car approaching from the left.  I consequently was not cited.
I sustained no fractures, just a big bruise on my left thigh and a sprained right ankle.  The bike will need a new frame and some other bits.
The motorcyclist sustained no damages or injuries, and he stopped and rendered aid.  He was very nice about the whole thing.  He and his wife even went so far as to hunt me down by phone in my exam room at CMC ER to check up on me. Mark Ortiz

Read more »

August 16, 2011 9:30am.

Update: Bicyclist Robert Connors of Charlotte was involved in a bicycle-motorcycle crash in the intersection of S. Tryon St and W. 3rd St.   Connors was uninjured.  The motorcyclist, also from Charlotte, suffered obvious injuries.  Apparently, both riders ran the red light.  According to the report narrative, Connors entered the intersection on Tryon St. before his traffic signal turned green and the motorcyclist entered the intersection on 3rd St. after her signal turned red.  At the moment of impact, the motorcyclist speed was estimated at 25 mph; Connors was estimated at 2 mph.   It is rare that a motorist is injured from a crash with a bicycle.  I wish the motorcyclist a full and speedy recovery.     Read more »