Charlotte Velo

10am May 10, 2012.

Bicycle racer Sandy Kreif, of Charlotte, was involved in a collision with a plumbing truck on Yorkmont Rd.  Sandy received obvious injuries and was taken to Carolina Medical Center.  This was another all too familiar “left-cross” crash.    The driver made a left-turn into the on coming path of the bicyclist.  The driver stated in the police report that he did not see the bicyclist.  The driver is also from Charlotte.

That section of Yorkmont Rd is identified in the Charlotte Cycling Guide (2nd Ed.) as a bike route.

Sandy is a friend of mine – I wish her a special “get well soon”.

Police Report Diagram

Narrative from Police Report

On Thursday, May 3, 2012 at approximately 8:15pm, bicyclist Chris Gladora was struck while riding through the intersection of E Morehead and Queens Rd. This crash is known as a “left cross”.  Gladora was headed northeast on Edgehill Rd N and had a green light. As he entered the intersection, a motorist coming from the opposite direction made a left turn onto Queens Rd and hit him with the rear passenger side of the vehicle.  Gladora suffered obvious injuries; the bike was destroyed.  Gladora was riding with a bright, 500 lumen front light on the handlebars, a light on the seatpost, and a white jersey and helmet. He was following the rules of the road and riding on the right side of the lane.

No traffic citations were issued.

Chris Gladora is on Charlotte’s Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC).  The BAC is an advisory body to City Council. The committee reviews bicycle plans and makes recommendations on implementing the policies and policy strategies. The BAC also recommends appropriate action to the City Council and County Commission on bicycle transportation issues.  Please join me in wishing Chris a full and speedy recovery.

Police Report Narrative

March 1, 2012.  3:30pm    Bicyclist Daniel Vega was involved in a crash with a CMS school bus (#1314) while riding through a crosswalk.  Vega was taken to CMC with non life-threatening injuries.  The crash occurred at 3:30pm in daylight and dry conditions at the intersection of The Plaza Dr. and Harwyn Dr.   The bus driver stopped for the stop sign, Vega proceeded into the crosswalk and the bus driver proceeded into Vega.  The bus driver stated she did not see anyone and was not charged with any traffic violations.

I wish Daniel a speedy recovery. Read more »

UPDATE

A hot dog fundraiser for Idol is planned for Saturday, Feb. 11, at Patterson Springs Baptist Church.

January 27, 2012.  Bicyclist Calab Idol, 15 of Mooresboro, NC was involved in a bicycle-automobile collision.  He sustained life threatening injuries and was taken to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.  The crash occurred on a clear afternoon on South Post Road, near Immanuel Church Road – just west of Kings Mountain.    Idol was riding to his grandmother’s house from a convenience store.  The driver, a 74 year old woman, was not charged. Read more »

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. Read more »

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. Read more »

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 »