Off Duty Firefighter Struck By Car, Expected To Make A Full Recovery

Renton Fire and Emergency service responded to a bicyclist struck by a car on Thursday just after 8:30 a.m.

This call, however, was less than routine. This time it was a Renton Firefighter who had just gotten off shift and was biking home when he was struck near the intersection of SE 128^th Street with 156^th Avenue SE. 

“He is expected to have a full recovery,” said Station 12 Battalion Chief John Lecoq, who noted that the firefighter was taken to the hospital with “some significant road rash.”

, he said, adding that drivers should expect a greater number of bicyclists on the road.

From the Washington Driver Guide:

The safety of bicycle riders on the road is a responsibility shared by both motorists and cyclists. All bicyclists have the same rights, duties, and responsibilities of a motor vehicle driver. Motorists and riders who don’t obey traffic laws can be ticketed.

Sharing the road with bicyclists – Over 39,000 bicyclists are killed or injured in the United States every year. If motorists and cyclists understand and obey the following state laws, it will help make the roads safer for everyone:

• Drivers must stop for bicyclists crossing in a painted or unpainted crosswalk when the bicyclist is within one lane of their half of the roadway. (See diagram under Right-of-Way.)
• Drivers crossing a sidewalk must yield to bicyclists on the sidewalk. Bicyclists riding on a sidewalk or in a crosswalk are granted all the rights and duties of a pedestrian. Local agencies may prohibit bicycling on some sections of sidewalks.
• Bicycle lanes are marked with solid white lines. You must yield to bicycles in a bicycle lane. Do not drive in a bicycle lane except when making a turn, entering or leaving an alley, private road or driveway, or when you need to cross the bicycle lane to park near the curb. Do not park in a bicycle lane.
• Allow at least three feet of space when overtaking or passing a bicycle.
• Pass to the left of a pedestrian or bicyclist that is on the right hand shoulder or bicycle lane at a distance that will clearly avoid coming into contact with them. Do not return to the right side of the road until safely clear.