Bike Advocates React to Ice Cream Truck Incident

Editor's Note: This statement has not been edited. for information on the ice cream truck-cyclist incident referenced below.

Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycliing is saddened to learn about the bike crash in Fairfax City involving the male bike rider on the sidewalk and the ice cream truck exiting onto the road.

In general, riding on a sidewalk is undesirable as there is great potential for conflict at all the driveways and cross streets. However, many cyclists in our area do ride on sidewalks and many drivers may not be expecting to see them as they cross, particularly when coming from the opposite direction to traffic. So sadly, this type of accident is often related to the driver being oblivious to the presence of the cyclist.

Drivers are responsible to look both ways when entering the street from a side street or a driveway entrance. They need to come to a complete stop at stop sign and lights and look for the presence of other road users. Pedestrians and cyclists may be coming from their right or left and drivers need to look.

In the future, we hope that through education programs and the provision of additional facilities, bicyclists will be confident riding where they have increased visibility and drivers will be more aware that they need to be looking for other road users.                      

Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling                    
http://www.fabb-bikes.org/