A ghost bike is chained up at the corner of 6th Avenue and Clement, in memoriam of the cyclist that was killed there last Thursday night during a collision with a MUNI bus. The victim was 22 year old Derek Allen who, according to initial reports, may have crossed into the street in front of the bus. The bus driver, Tommie Barnett, swerved but was unable to avoid hitting Allen.
A similar ghost bike was left at the scene of another cyclist fatality at Turk and Masonic in August.
Meant to act as street memorial to the fallen cyclist, some offerings have already been left in remembrance including flowers, shells, nuts, a candle and rocks. Typically the city will let the bike remain for several days before cutting the chain and removing it.
On Friday evening, Richmond District Supervisor Eric Mar issued this statement about the accident:
Statement from Supervisor Eric Mar regarding bicyclist Derek Allen | October 8, 2010
This morning I visited the site of the MUNI accident on 6th Ave at Clement Street, where 22 year old bicyclist Derek Allen was killed yesterday evening at 5pm. I am concerned because I ride my bike there all the time. While our City has made progress in making streets safer and expanded bike lanes in San Francisco, we need a better streets planning process for parts of the Richmond District which must include residents, pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers and merchants. To create a more livable community, we must find ways to safely share the roads- drivers, pedestrians and cyclists- all of us together. There have been a number of tragic traffic accidents including the killing of a bicyclist in August on Masonic and Turk and I hope that drivers can be reminded of how vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists are on the road. I am anxiously awaiting the City’s investigation, but my staff and I have been meeting with Richmond residents, Police, Muni staff, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, and safety advocates to develop solutions.
Sarah B.
The loss of a life is always tragic, and my heart goes out to Derek Allen’s family and friends. But Supervisor Mar’s veiled criticism of Muni is unnecessary at this time. According to this blog, Mr. Allen may have crossed in front of the bus, and the driver was unable to avoid hitting him. Perhaps condolences to the traumatized driver would also have been appropriate. Making political hay out of such a sad event is distasteful and inappropriate.
I don’t think Mar is being critical. OTOH, if he didn’t issue any statement, he would be condemned. He and the other 10 Supervisors are constantly in a lose-lose situation, whether they speak or remain silent.
This is very tragic and also scary, since I walk/bike that area frequently. But I think the point of Supervisor Mar’s statement is that we (cyclists, pedestrians, drivers) should all be more careful and work together to make a more livable city for all.
Mar is just another clown on the Board of Stupidvisors. Think how much the city would be improved if none of them did anything.
From what I read, the bicyclist just cut in front of the bus. It is a shame he died but the bicyclisst in this city routinely ignore traffic laws. They do not stop at stop signs. They ride their bikes in pedestrian cross walks. They ride on sidewalks. They weave in an out of traffic. They ride at night without lights and often wear dark clothing. They endanger pedestrians and motorist by their actions.
The accident is still under investigation and no formal report has been issued about how it happened. I linked to an initial report over on SFAppeal which states the cyclist may have cut in front of the bus, but again, this is not the final report.
Yes, cyclists can be challenging to share the road (and sidewalks) with but let’s remember for now that someone died and that there is also MUNI driver who is probably very shaken.
Most importantly, be careful and courteous out there, whether you’re on 2 wheels or 4.
Sarah B.
Sometimes is best to say nothing. Mar is suggesting that a better “planning process” could have prevented this accident. He also refers to the death of a cyclist on Masonic Avenue, but that was caused by a drunk driver. Nothing the city can do will protect us against reckless driving—by cyclists and motorists—and drunk drivers. Mar is just grandstanding.
For the three people thus far who criticized Mar for speaking out, if he didn’t say anything there could be 666 people here asking why he’s silent. Being a Supervisor is a god forsaken position, and I don’t understand why dozens of fanatics in other districts are feuding and smearing each other to get voted into a shit job. Perhaps in a recession people are willing to take any low-life employment they can.
Mar had nothing to say. He was making a statement just to make a statement. Best to shut up until you have something to say and after the investigation into the causes of the accident is completed. Being a supervisor is one of the best jobs in the city, though you have to do to a lot of boring meetings to make your $90,000 a year plus benefits, which is pretty good money in or out of a recession.
Rob Anderson appears to have a classic case of pathological Envy. His actions directly prevented the establishment of Bikeway facilities that could have prevented large numbers of injuries and deaths throughout our City over the last number of years. Sadly he appears to lack conscience, but covets anothers wages and benefits. Best to shut up till you have something (of value) to say!
Being a city supervisor is both extremely challenging and difficult. You have to work with Chris Daly.
“Envy”? Who or what am I supposedly envious of? I don’t “covet” anyone’s wages or benefits, being comfortably retired myself. I just had to correct the notion that being a city supervisor is a “god forsaken position.” It’s a well-compensated, much sought-after job in city government.
Please show us some evidence that doing an EIR on the 500-page Bicycle Plan caused any death or injury. While you’re at it, maybe you could explain why the city and the bike people don’t have to obey the most important environmental law in the state, the California Environmental Quality Act (http://district5diary.blogspot.com/2006/11/judge-buschs-decision.html).
As the latest Bicycle Collision Report, issued in Feb. of this year—available through the MTA website—tells us there have been on average over the last ten years only 1.8 deaths for cyclists per year in SF (page 16), which makes this year typical. On page 10, we learn that “San Francisco had the lowest number of bicycle injury collisions per 100,000 bicycling trips to work among California cities with more than 250,000 residents. Only Seattle and Portland had lower collision rates.” On page 22 we learn that reckless cyclists were responsible for 49.6% of their own injury collisions.
First, the best way to avoid accidents and get along is by obeying the law, 2nd it is not a sideride it is a sidewalk, the domain of the person on foot and need not be shared by them at any time with an adult riding a bike. Get off your bike and walk it on the sidewalk and through the crosswalk: It’s the LAW!
Eric Mar said nothing and missed the point entirely.
I wonder if Mr. Mar would have said *anything* is a bike were not involved?
And poor Derek Allen! He is not a mere “cyclist” but young man who had a life, a beloved only child from the east bay and his parents and grandparents are devasted. It’s very sad and tragic.