ReLATIVITy
In Memory of Nick - Please Start Seeing Bikes
Tue, February 6, 2007 - 9:51 PM
Bicyclist dies after being hit by car
A 24-year-old bicyclist was killed in Southeast Portland late Friday after he was hit by a car.
Nicholas Bucher, was taken to OHSU Hospital, where he died, according to Portland police.
Bucher collided with a car driven by 32-year-old Cyrus Stanger at the intersection of Southeast Stark Street and 26th Avenue, police said. Stanger, who was cited on an accusation of fourth-degree assault, submitted to a toxicology test to determine if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash, police said.
and the obituary:
Nicholas R. Bucher
Monday, February 05, 2007
A funeral Mass will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, 2007, in Holy Family Catholic Church in Portland for Nicholas R. Bucher, who died Feb. 3 of injuries from a traffic accident while riding a bicycle. He was 24. Recitation of the rosary will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, in Wilhelm Funeral Home.
Mr. Bucher was born Aug. 1, 1982, in Portland, where he lived all his life. He graduated from Franklin High School and was a chef for The Noble Rot.
Survivors include his parents, Bill and Patti; sister, Katie; companion, Kelly Raylinsky; grandmothers, Mary Bucher and Dorothy Moore; and grandparents, Jack and Phyllis Moore.
Remembrances to the Bicycle Transportation Alliance.
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Five years ago Nick's friend Ryan Gladstone, was killed in a drunk driving accident on NE 33rd Ave. near Morris St. He was 20 years old. After Ryan's tragic death, Nick spent a great deal of time with Ryan's mother through the grieving process, which is ongoing. The senseless loss of Nick in this stupid accident coud have easily been avoided. Cyrus Stanger was driving his SUV over the speed limit and simply wasn't looking for cyclists as he rushed down a main through-street. Purportedly, his lights were not turned on and it was around midnight. I will give him credit for not being another hit-and-run driver. Nick was an intelligent, funny, sesitive, talented young man who was taken from his friends and family by the carelessness of one person.
Tue, February 6, 2007 - 9:51 PM -
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Wed, February 7, 2007 - 12:39 PM
wow. like cold water in the face......hmm..ive relied on my bicycle for transportation while in Portland, and know how traffic can be. While most of the cars seem to move in accordance with bikes, its becoming more clear that people still think of this as some sort of novelty, & really have no idea what its like to cycle amongst 10 ton vehicles flying past you at 30 or 40 mph... and therefore really DO NOT THINK about it. Im not sure what the answer is, really...a drunk or careless driver will always be drunk or careless...but i was told that this is common when i moved to POrtland, and then heard of 2 or 3 incidences within a year...2 involved METRO BUSES!!! Im not really sure what the solution is, honestly, and must also mention cyclists can be extremely careless too. I do not like to see people biking with headphones on. Even if its a jogging/biking trail i think its dangerous. I used to think the bumperstickers "Motorcycles Are Everywhere" where funny, but its a good place to start. Maybe there should be more street signs reminding people of the prescence of bikes on the road, making sure people know they also have a right to be there! I wish Nick's family and friends much peace.
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Wed, February 7, 2007 - 9:15 PM
What to do?
I agree that cyclists are often careless. I don't think that they should listen to music or talk on their cell phones when riding, but I see it all the time. I also see them all over with no lights on their bikes at night. There have been a couple of times when I was caught without my lights and carefully made my way on back streets on my bike, but I certainly hate to do it and don't recommend it. But the real problem, I maintain, is that automobilists just don't think about cars. Hell, they rarely even give a damned about pedestrians! I can't count the number of times that I've stood at a cross walk, obviously waiting to cross, and cars don't even slow down. At the intersection of Lloyd Blvd and Grand Ave I've tried crossing the street while cars turning left onto Grand zoom around the corner, oblivious to we pedestrians in the cross walk (crossing with the signal). The sad truth is, cars think that they own the road, and in this country we have basically handed everything over to them - might makes right.
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Thu, February 8, 2007 - 9:02 PM
Patrick wrote:
"The sad truth is, cars think that they own the road, and in this country we have basically handed everything over to them - might makes right." ....Thanks for the blanket condemnation. I'm sure you're speaking FOR and ABOUT everyone...and we appreciate it. |
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Thu, February 8, 2007 - 9:36 PM
Oops!
Excuse the blanket condemnation. I'm not talking about everyone. I'm refering to the overall automobile culture in this country. I know lots of us are not included in that. No offense intended.
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Fri, February 9, 2007 - 1:24 AM
ive never taken a driving test in Oregon, but ive been told its hard to pass...anyway, there have been many times where ive been stopped to cross (even at the most menial intersections..no light, no sign,etc..) and a car has stopped dead in the lane to let me cross. is this Oregon law? It makes me feel weird sometimes, honestly,,,,i would rather ride BEHIND the car than in front of it...but that just me. I love taking "back roads", and if your a biker know all the routes to get to where you are going and to get home. There are alot of tricky intersections, though where two lanes turn into four, and you find yourself actually "in traffic" instead of being at the side of the road. This is par for the course i guess....lights and flashers are not the only solution, and while most bikers might know hand signals, i would bet money that MOST drivers do not know what they are (or care). We are also talking about riding at night vs. daytime...but still..i wonder how much awareness is instilled within driving courses. Such a shame someone has to die for such nonsense...and Digory..shut the fuck up!
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