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Solo crash at 901 Fairview Ave N
reported by Alan Spring
Date:
2010-06-25
Crash type:
Solo crash
Geometry:
Bike lost stability and crashed
Description:
Two weeks ago, on Jun 25th, sometime between 6:35 and 6:45 AM I had a solo crash while using the multi-use path on Fairview Avenue. I was heading into work early that day and had decided to use the extra time to further explore a route I'd only used two or three times before. Being aware that I was not very familiar with the route I attempted to be very aware of my surroundings.
The crash happened at the driveway entrance to Daniel's Broiler (I was travelling westbound as I was making my way from Eastlake Ave towards Seattle Center). As I approached the intersection from the west I slowed down and attempted to ascertain the location of the ramp that leads off the path and down to street level. I remember seeing a telephone pole and a fire hydrant (in that order, but from subsequent pictures of the location I found on the internet it looks like I have them reversed) off to my right and dismissed following that line as unsafe. I did not see a descent ramp, but assumed that it wasn't well marked and that I had missed it in my scan. Because of the obstructions the direction the path naturally funnels bicyclists into is straight ahead, and that was the direction I chose. I was going about 10 mph at that point. As I approached the first obstruction (memory: telephone pole, pictures: hydrant) I then saw that I'd chosen incorrectly and that the ramp was off to the side. I believe that initially my view of the ramp was eclipsed by the previously mentioned obstructions and that my further attempts to verify my direction was correct finally noticed its placement. In any case I panicked and attempted to slow down further so I could steer my bike to the ramp and avoid riding over the curb. My panic resulted in me bringing the bike to an abrupt stop and me flipping over the handlebars to land on the left front side of my helmet and my upper left shoulder. I did stop before going over the curb and, as I recall, did not end up in the street or intersection. Add note to this report
Factors & Lessons
Factor:
Path obstructions
Factor:
Incorrectly placed ramp
Lesson:
Don't panic
Conditions
Weather:
Clear
Lighting:
Dawn_dusk
Visibility:
Good
Using bike lights:
Yes
Wearing helmet:
Yes
Road conditions:
Dry
Traffic:
Light
Cyclist
Cyclist age:
39
Cyclist gender:
M
Cyclist experience:
Advanced
Bicycle type:
Road
Injuries:
Serious
Injury description:
shattered clavicle, required surgery 1 week later
Location
Location type:
Trail
Location:
901 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
Lat/Lng:
47.6272177028809, -122.333037257195
Crash ID:
410
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