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Solo crash at 1300-1398 3rd Ave
reported by Rosemary Curran
Date:
2010-03-16
Crash type:
Solo crash
Geometry:
Bike lost stability and crashed
Description:
I was riding up 3rd Ave beginning my commute home after work - about 5:40 pm. I was riding in the center (left) lane heading north - doing fine - probably traveling at around 10 - 12 mph. All of a sudden my bike wheel just slid out from under me on the wide metal grid covering the bus tunnel. I had to unclick my shoe on my right foot. Fortunately my left foot was not clicked in, so I was able to land on it before I went completely down. My bike was nearly all the way down, but I was able to extricate my right foot and swing it over so I could stand up and get the bike upright. The really scary part was that there was a bus right behind me....fortunately far enough back that it could stop before running over me! There were two buses in the right lane as well (they may have moved forward by the time I crashed)so I couldn't really have avoided the grid even if I'd wanted to. I've ridden this route quite a few times before, and even though it's the designated bike route through town, I've always found it pretty scary. While the bus drivers are generally courteous, they are very large compared to us cyclists, and a "freak" accident like this could easily mean someone's death if the bus were closer or didn't see the person. Add note to this report
Factors & Lessons
Factor:
Wet road conditions
Factor:
Road quality poor
Factor:
Slippery pavement
Factor:
Poor surface material, very slippery when wet
Lesson:
Avoid area completely
Lesson:
Pay more attention to road surface
Explanation:
I was not going particularly fast and I don't think going slower would have made any difference....especially with a bus behind me! I will avoid this area if there is any hint of rain or moisture in the air. We REALLY need a safe, dedicated route through downtown if we want to encourage bicycle commuting
Conditions
Weather:
Rain
Lighting:
Dawn_dusk
Visibility:
Good
Using bike lights:
Yes
Wearing helmet:
Yes
Road conditions:
Wet
Traffic:
Moderate
Additional conditions description:
rain had just started - very light, but enough to make the grid slick.
Cyclist
Cyclist age:
61
Cyclist gender:
F
Cyclist experience:
Advanced
Bicycle type:
Road
Injuries:
None
Location
Location type:
Arterial
Location description:
On the grid covering the bus tunnel on 3rd Ave right in front of Benaroya Hall
Location:
1300-1398 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
Lat/Lng:
47.6084723284743, -122.336583137512
Crash ID:
371
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