Bike Safety Alert -- The Perils of Parallel Traffic

When entering an intersection, a bicyclist naturally watches for cross-traffic before proceeding. Unfortunately, there is an equally great danger that is far too often overlooked: traffic traveling alongside the bicyclist.

Three recent bike-truck accidents in Minneapolis illustrate the problem. In each case, it appears the bicyclist was obeying the rules of the road, but was caught by surprise.

The most recent incident occurred last month. Kimberly Yeong Sil Hull (known to her family and friends as Audrey), a 25-year old student at the University of Minnesota, was riding her bike along 15th Avenue. Suddenly, a dump truck that had been cruising beside her turned right onto SE 4th Street, knocking her onto the crosswalk and crushing her chest. Hull died at the scene.

Last October, 55-year old Larry Berry was riding in the bicycle lane soutbound on 1st Avenue near the Target Center downtown. Traveling alongside Berry was a Quicksilver Express Courier delivery truck which turned right onto 7th street cutting Berry off. Berry hit the truck and was killed.

Two years ago, Dennis Dumm was northbound in the bike lane on the left-hand side of Park Avenue waiting for a stoplight to turn green. When the light turned, both Dumm and a semitrailer traveling next to him took off. The truck began to make a wide left turn and crossed in front of Dumm. The bicyclist was struck and killed by the back wheels of the semitrailer. An eye witness said it appeared Dumm didn’t realize the truck was turning until it was too late to get out of the way.

These accidents make it clear that following the rules of the road may not be enough. Bicyclists need to be aware of the perils of parallel traffic.

Jeffrey S. Sieben
Attorney at Law
Sieben, Grose, Von Holtum & Carey, LTD.
800 Marquette Avenue, Suite 900
Minneapolis, MN 55402
direct: 612-333-9713
fax: 612-333-5970
website: http://www.knowyourrights.com
Cellular telephone (651) 336-1925