[*BCM*] Memory of Eric M. Hunt

[thom3 at aol.com]

 Two thoughts. One, bikers should not challenge buses to be right even if they are.But more so, the MBTA really needs to step up the awareness thing with buses. It's not just with bikes, but peds as they rev up and blow through red lights and the cars they intimidate as they pull out from a stop. I really can't believe this has not been a front and center matter for the MBTA head honchos.

 


 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Silivrenion <silivrenion at gmail.com>
To: Boston Critical Mass <list at bostoncriticalmass.org>
Sent: Sun, Apr 11, 2010 11:15 pm
Subject: Re: [*BCM*] Memory of Eric M. Hunt


No problem Thom. Just the conversations are completely different, and unrelated. BCM has different definitions to everyone, but I'll tell you, I'll never participate in a ride if the ride breaks the rules of the road. I'm the one that always stops at red lights, not just because it's safer, but because it gives you a little rest before moving on. Oh, and you can get ticketed for breaking traffic regulations on a bike (one of the reasons I don't feel too bad for BCM when police forces intervene... don't break traffic laws and you won't be in trouble! Bikes equal vehicles, after all.)


Anyway, I digress..


I'm reading through some of the information available, and it's kind of interesting. Apparently he had "150 feet" between when he got stuck in the rivet and lost control at the bus. I'll tell you a properly equipped bike at 400 lbs can stop within 20 feet at most, 10 if you brake hard traveling at 15 MPH. That's with full disc brakes and feet stability.


I'd almost say it was the bus' fault, but the bike he was riding, from the looks of the photo, is a fixed gear bike, probably with limited braking potential. Doesn't Massachusetts law determine a minimum distance for a bicycle to come to a halt during all-brakes on?