Bicyclist injured by hit-and-run driver near Dexter thought he would die
In the moments after a vehicle hit Jason Lummis last Wednesday night, sending him flying 20 feet through the air, he feared he would die alone along the side of the road.
The driver had fled the scene, and no one else was around. He first dialed 911 but hung up before he was able to give the dispatcher clear information about where he was. Why? Because he wanted to call his wife.
"I didn't think I was going to live," he said, "and I wanted to hear my wife's voice again. I didn't think I was going to live because of the way I felt, that everything was draining out of me."
Lummis was losing a lot of blood. A stick had lodged in his hip. When he pulled it out, blood poured out of the wound.
"As soon as he pulled out the stick, his shorts filled up with blood," his wife, Kathleen Lummis, said. Doctors would later tell them Lummis had lost nearly two quarts of blood.
Police are still seeking the hit-and-run driver.
Fortunately, it wasn't long before others noticed the bike lying on the side of Dexter-Pinckney Road near Fleming Road in Dexter Township. Several people stopped to help.
Among them was Tanny Casablanca of Saline. She and her fiance, Scott Wynne, pulled their motorcycle over after seeing another car that had stopped to help.
When they found Lummis, not long after he was hit about 9 p.m., he was lying in a pool of blood. "We didn't think he was going to make it," Casablanca said. "He looked up at me and his eyes rolled into the back of his head. He said, 'just don't leave me alone to die in the grass on the side of the road.'"
He asked Casablanca to hold his hand. "I said 'you're not going to die,' and he said, 'I know I'm going to die. I've been hit before. I said 'let's think about your son and your wife.' "
Lummis is now home and beginning a long process of recuperation. He and his wife are grateful he didn't have any head injuries. And despite several broken bones in his back and pelvis, he can walk a little bit, and doctors expect him to make a full recovery.
Lummis, however, is angry about the accident and the way drivers often treat him when he's on his bicycle.
He doesn't understand how the driver of the truck couldn't have seen him. Kathleen Lummis said her husband rides with two lights on the front of his body, two on his back and one on the bike. He was also wearing reflective clothing and shoes.
"Someone assaulted me with a deadly weapon, and I survived," Lummis said, "But I could have died. I laid there for like six minutes bleeding."
If someone hadn't noticed his bike by the road, Lummis said he probably would have died.
Lummis, who regularly bikes from his job at Great Lakes Cycling and Fitness in Ann Arbor to his home in Pinckney, said he was hit earlier this year in Dexter by another driver who also left the scene. He said people have honked at him, swerved their cars at him and thrown things at him while he's been riding.
He doesn't understand why drivers aren't willing to slow down or move over long enough to safely navigate around bikers. "I just want people to know that those people out there are husbands and fathers, sons and daughters," he said. "Would you like someone to take your son or daughter away from you, your parents away from you? That 5 or 10 seconds out of your life, is it worth ruining someone else's life?"
He rides his bike about 300 days a year. As a professional competitive rider, he has to train, and riding back and forth from work allows him to combine training and commuting, thereby allowing him to spend more time with his wife and nearly 4-year-old son. He also said the riding time serves as his meditation time.
"I'm not trying to save the world by riding my bike," he said. "I enjoy it. It makes me happy. I wish people wouldn't keep trying to take it away from me."
Meanwhile, the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department continues to search for the hit-and-run driver. Sheriff's spokesman Derrick Jackson said today that police continue to investigate, but don't have any updates to the case.
The vehicle is believed to be one of the following:
- A 1999 to 2000 Ford Excursion with the passenger side mirror missing
- A 1999 to 2000 Ford F250 pickup, F350 pickup, F450 pickup, or F550 Super Duty truck with the passenger side mirror missing.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Department tip line at 734-973-7711 or Deputy Marcus Kirby at (734) 426-0228.
Kathleen Lummis said the family has received an outpouring of sympathy and help from friends and neighbors.
"We are so appreciative of the surrounding community," she said. "Everyone's made this a lot easier. It's been heartwarming. There's a lot of people who don't have that, and we've been so blessed. It's been breathtaking, it really has."
Comments
shepard145
Thu, Sep 9, 2010 : 9:39 p.m.
Somebody's missing something here. My point is that when deciding to ride your bike on a high speed road in the dark, you can either go look up the law that says nobody should kill you or you can use your own head and some common sense. Look up the word ACCIDENT. That said, I do swim across all sports lakes and your comment is helpful. I've never been able to find any laws that mention it.
JGS
Thu, Sep 9, 2010 : 11:56 a.m.
Another hit and run on a cyclist (last Friday) http://www.monroenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010709099995 What are people thinking? If you hit someone, STOP!
S_A2
Tue, Sep 7, 2010 : 7:46 a.m.
I wish you a speedy recovery Jason. I hope you can keep your nerve to ride again soon, and that the perpetrator is caught.
KJMClark
Sun, Sep 5, 2010 : 8:33 p.m.
For JCJ - actually there's a very important Michigan Supreme Court case that found the motorist largely responsible when a cyclist lost control in front of them and died in a subsequent collision. The truck driver claimed that they were passing six feet from the edge of the road, and the cyclist went off the edge, and veered back in front of the truck when they were trying to get control of the bike. The cyclist and a passenger were killed. The Supreme Court ruled that four feet wasn't an adequate distance for a truck doing more than 25mph to pass a cyclist, the cyclist may have lost control because they were surprised by a truck driver passing closely without warning, and the truck driver could be considered negligent. The ruling was Stockfisch v. Fox. For Shepard, the right to travel is article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, so it must be important. The only more basic form of travel would be on foot.
ligrasp
Sun, Sep 5, 2010 : 10:28 a.m.
And thank heavens for Tanny and Scott who were paying enough attention to their surroundings to investigate a bike by the side of the road. We should all be so attentive!
Peter Baker
Sun, Sep 5, 2010 : 12:02 a.m.
Quit trying to justify being pricks and just share the road. Or better yet, try riding a bike some time and see how scared you are.
shepard145
Sat, Sep 4, 2010 : 4:06 p.m.
Hey dude, disagree all you like with me no problem. When swimming across an all sports lake with 3-4 boats pulling skiers (some waiving at me to get back to the beach half a mile away), the law says we share the water. It is my right to swim across the lake as its his to ski but if he fails to pay attention and hits me, the laws of physics are in his favor. While probably dead or seriously maimed, I will have one heck of an insurance claim! So there are rights, whats right and then theres survival. Comparing human rights to riding a bike whether or not spandex is involved - is silly. This seems to be the generation that, lacking any serious institutional hardship, feels free to compare Stalins reign of terror to their school refusing to serve pizza. The insurance company is still going to look at the facts of this sad case and assign blame to each party and I guarantee you that if Lummis was riding in the dark on that road, even with all the sympathy we have for him, his share will not be zero. Your response is nave and misses the fact that Lummiss horrible experience, even if negligence was involved (likely), was not a matter of his right to be there but an ACCIDENT. As long as accidents happen (forever), we must understand the difference between our right to do something and odds of becoming the soft meaty half of a collision with a 4000lb motor vehicle.
shepard145
Sat, Sep 4, 2010 : 9:26 a.m.
This is a horrendous tragety and our thoughts and prayers are with Mr Lummis, his recovery and law enforcement. That said, riding a bike on a narrow high speed road at or near dark is a bad idea. I occasionally do this myself and sometimes I feel like it's just a matter of time before the wrong car comes along and I'll be in the room next to his. Riding from Dexter on AA Dexter to Ann Arbor is a nightmare of crumbling and narrow pavement. One solution is for this region to build and maintain dedicated bike lanes separated from major high speed roads extending between cities, townships and villages. Since our political leaders can't deliver mass transit, that seems like the least they could do....a cheaper solution is to recognize that biking to work from the Dexter area is too dangerous and drive like everyone else.
alan
Sat, Sep 4, 2010 : 9:09 a.m.
I'm sure that bicyclists have seen this, but the drivers out there need to realize that Michigan State Law states: 257.657 Rights and duties of persons riding bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, or moped or operating low-speed vehicle. Sec. 657. Each person riding a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, or moped or operating a low-speed vehicle upon a roadway has all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this chapter, except as to special regulations in this article and except as to the provisions of this chapter which by their nature do not have application. from: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/%28S%28k3gc55554bqznqn43ey3yq45%29%29/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=mcl-257-657 257.660a Operation of bicycle upon highway or street; riding close to right-hand curb or edge of roadway; exceptions. Sec. 660a. A person operating a bicycle upon a highway or street at less than the existing speed of traffic shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except as follows: (a) When overtaking and passing another bicycle or any other vehicle proceeding in the same direction. (b) When preparing to turn left. (c) When conditions make the right-hand edge of the roadway unsafe or reasonably unusable by bicycles, including, but not limited to, surface hazards, an uneven roadway surface, drain openings, debris, parked or moving vehicles or bicycles, pedestrians, animals, or other obstacles, or if the lane is too narrow to permit a vehicle to safely overtake and pass a bicycle. (d) When operating a bicycle in a lane in which the traffic is turning right but the individual intends to go straight through the intersection. (e) When operating a bicycle upon a 1-way highway or street that has 2 or more marked traffic lanes, in which case the individual may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of that roadway as practicable. from: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/%28S%28piz04jzijbzhkz45dqu44f55%29%29/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-257-660a for those in motor vehicles this means that bicycles have the legal right to be on the road riding with you. We do not threaten you and ask that we get the same respect. Jason, get well soon.
pseudo
Sat, Sep 4, 2010 : 8:09 a.m.
Jason, I am another cyclist that has been hit, yelled at, run off the road. I send you my prayers for a full recovery and a continued career. For the of the anti-bike crowd, at some point you will have to realize that limited access highways are the only roads that don't allow walking and biking on them. I will eventually become your risk. I don't know how you can live with yourselves for treating other people that way. Really, who are you? Who do you think you are? And if you hit or bullied your spouse? Or Kid? I am a driver too - insured and taxed like the rest of all of us (cyclists included). We are taxed to pay for road repairs, cyclists don't damage the roads. Clearly the cars, trucks, SUVs and Cross Overs aren't paying their way or we'd have repaired roads. And now, I'm a cyclist with an attorney ready to sue the next idiot that thinks they can bully me on the road. I have a camera, a education from that attorney on what I need and I am ready. For the rest of the cyclists out there I suggest arming yourselves. Seriously - camera (pictures of drivers and license plates). If you can ride with a buddy, you can file a complaint with a witness - even better. And, frankly, I would get the heaviest bike lock out there or a really loud air horn - sometimes being heard gets them to hesitate enough for you to avoid some of the damage.
Engineer
Sat, Sep 4, 2010 : 7:59 a.m.
Bikes should be required to have a slow moving vehicle sign attached to them. I watch closely for bikers but many times I am amazed how hard they are to see. Many do not help there cause by wearing clothing that blends in the scenery along the roads they ride on. A slow moving vehicle sign like I am required to have on farm machinery would make them more noticable and alert drivers to the fact something in the road is moving much slower than they are.
AA
Sat, Sep 4, 2010 : 7:29 a.m.
I passed a woman jogging with a baby stroller close to rush hour this week, running against the heavy traffic, on a curve along Huron River Drive about a 1/2 mile east of Huron Hills golfcourse. Her and her infant are indeed lucky to still be alive.
breadman
Sat, Sep 4, 2010 : 5:54 a.m.
Hey! What happen to the cars share the rode with bike? If this Man had on blinking lights and the driver did not see him, I am sure he sure should have heard the noise in is mirror. That driver and others should remember, thank god they were not in Amish country hit a hores and buggy, Because you do not get out with a slap on the hand. They (Amish)People ride with blinking lights! So what can a person do? Speedy recovery!!!! Keep riding! Enforce the law!!!
Go Blue
Sat, Sep 4, 2010 : 12:20 a.m.
Okay, had to comment on this one. Irregardless of WHAT time of day or night it is, anything on the road should be given respect and dangit, that includes animals too. But no, not everyone has that same opinion and there are many out there that not only lack respect for others but feel they are entitled to do whatever they see fit. The "I'm right and everyone else is wrong mentality." I personally know of one, shall we say, "considerate" person that actually was proud to tell me that "whenever I see those idiot bikers on the road, I swerve at them. They have no right to be on my road." Not making it up - the a___ actually said that to me and was totally proud of it. Needless to say I terminate my business relationship with the moron, but not soon enough. He proceeded to cost me a lot of money. I swear, back in the day, it was drilled in to us to ride FACING the traffic so we could see what was coming. Right or wrong, that's what I do and I'll be danged if I will trust any driver and ride WITH traffic.
indigonation
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 10:45 p.m.
that was sad what happened to Lummis and no person with any empathy would leave him for dead. I don't think though more laws or taxes are needed, why restrict peoples freedom any more. I hope they find that person and I try to be nice to bikers on the road when I see them, who cares if that angers the drivers behind me, I believe in doing the right thing. A lot of people are Jerks.
stunhsif
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 10:21 p.m.
I used to bike on roads years ago but after losing two folks I knew to car/bike accidents and having numerous close calls myself I called it "quits" for biking on paved roads with speed limits over 25 mph. I also jog/walk about 1500 miles a year and for the most part stay off of any roads with posted speeds above 25mph unless they are dirt roads that are less traveled. As a jogger/walker it is much easier to get off the road if the approaching car is not moving over. As well, joggers are running into oncoming traffic where bike riders are blind to traffic coming up behind them. There needs to be a law put in place "pronto" that outlaws bike riding on any public roads within 30 minutes of sunrise or sunset. This will greatly reduce the number of car/bicycle related accidents.
a2doc
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 10:01 p.m.
I am so tired reading the same old "pro-car" or Car vs. bike garbage. The key aspect of this story is that a criminal nearly killed a cyclist and left him for dead. There is no moral room in this story to regurgitate the usual trash regarding road taxes and cyclists breaking rules and "getting in the way" of motor vehicles. Simply put: if a motor vehicle is at risk of killing a fellow road user (be it pedestrian or cyclist); the driver is not in adequate control of the vehicle. They MUST slow down and give way otherwise they are breaking the law. I get Mr Lummis' point regarding motorists "taking biking away from him" - he was nearly killed and remains severely injured by a motorist. He will not be able to bike for some time. If a motorist hits a cyclist they may have to spend a little time getting a dent pulled out of their bodywork, or a respray. There is a massive difference. I hope Mr Lummis makes a speedy and full recovery. I further hope our police force hunt down and prosecute the coward who left him for dead.
E.A. Jacuzzi
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 9:39 p.m.
I really wish this stupid discussion about cyclists on roads and taxes etc would stop. The story is about a guy that was a victim of a criminal act. If you think for 5 seconds that most cyclists don't pay taxes, you should get your head checked. In fact, most cyclists I know are well into the top quarter of earners. If you see a guy riding in spandex on a fancy $8K bike, chances are he has a few cars too. I also run, and I will tell you that if people would act the same way around cyclists as they do around runners, there'd be a lot less problems. People give 3-4 feet and cross into the other lane...I think it's because drivers can relate to that experience of being on a road with no sidewalk. I liken it to changing a tire on the interstate - if you ever have to do that, you will NEVER pass a driver changing a flat without moving over..it's down right scary. So, the long and short of it is: quit bringing foolish ideas and opinions into a debate about a crime, whether it's a cyclist, motorcycle or whatever. Don't forget, these people could be your friends and likely are your neighbors, so don't treat them like anonymous objects.
Don Evich
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 9:26 p.m.
Jason, I'm VERY SORRY... I'll pray for you and all the best to you and your family! FYI, @9am Sat. 07/17 I too was hit by a truck/trailer while riding my bicycle NE on Dexter-Chelsea near Parker. I suffered a broken left femur and left shoulder and will be recovering for months. My injuries are also very serious but thank God I was not hurt as badly as you! Peace be with you and your recovery and family! Regards, Don Evich
MichU
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 8:16 p.m.
Not stopping to help someone you've injured is unconscionable.
EcoRonE
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 8:11 p.m.
It isn't possible to hit someone on bike with a vehicle, throw that person 20 feet or so through the air crushing his pelvis, and not be aware that you just possibly killed someone. A moral human would stop and assist the victim. A just society would hunt them down and punish them for murder or attempted murder for leaving the scene and leaving the victim to perish. The person who hit Lummis is not moral and our society is not just. A high proportion of Michigan drivers hate bicyclists and the state legal system is inclined to agree with them. After 40 years of having Michigan drivers throw things, spit, swerve at me, honk, swear, and drive head on at me when I'm on a bike on the road, I now only spin in doors. I am thankful I was never hurt like Mr. Lummis and I can only hope decent, moral people will help him and his family overcome this tragedy.
jcj
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 7:15 p.m.
@ just a voice "but usually when bikers are hit on these rural roads they are following the law" That is as irresponsible a statement as it would be for me to say that most drivers that hit bikers are careful. It is no more fair to blame the motorist than it is to blame the biker. Both parties need to be careful.If that means that the motorist gets to where he is going a few seconds later so be it. But by the same token very few bikers think about being respectful of drivers. One thing for sure. With the polarization of opinions around here. If a biker lost control and swerved into the path of a motorist and there were multiple whiteness. There is one faction that would not accept that a biker caused the accident. There is no evidence I know of that suggest that is what happened here. Having said all that there is no way to defend someone that leaves the scene of an accident!
jns131
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 7:09 p.m.
That is one huge bike ride from Ann Arbor to Pinckney. Wow. What a bike rider you are. You put me to shame. After a mile? I am done. Good luck finding the person. They usually turn up sooner or later. Get back to the bike soon.
michiganexpats.com
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 5:52 p.m.
Wow what a terrible incident. Glad to hear he's ok. Drivers, let's slow down and be nicer to bikers on the road!
AlwaysLate
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 5:09 p.m.
OK, 9:00PM...after dark...on Dexter-Pinckney Road. Lights & refectors not withstanding...it's not worth the risk...as I'm sure Mr. Lummis's wife is impressing on him this very moment.
Olan Owen Barnes
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 4:49 p.m.
My heart goes out to him and the driver should be punished. That said bicyclist and motorist share a two way street and the bicyclist must also follow the rules of the road. In the last week downtown on Huron I saw a bicyclist going slowly down the middle of the street and also in town I also a bicyclist going between the the two lanes in the same direction of the traffic at the dotted lines in a very dangerous fashion.
websterite
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 4:29 p.m.
One of the reasons that drivers get enraged is that some bicyclists ride two abreast on busy roads and make it impossible to slide around them without waiting for a passing zone. I'm not defending assaulting bicyclists tho. When riding at dusk or after dark it can be very hard for a car driver to notice a bike even when it has some lights and reflectors. Often times they have neither and are wearing dark clothing to boot. I'd like to sometime in my lifetime see a bicycle pulled over for a traffic infraction. I see them running red lights, driving without lights, etc. They should be held accountable. All that said, I wish a speedy recovery for Lummis after a terrible accident and hope that the driver gets nailed for not stopping. That is absolutely unexcusable even if the original accident was accidental. He could have died.
boom
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 4:27 p.m.
I'm not an avid bicyclist but I do ride my bike and I'm old school. I don't wear a helmet and I ride the sidewalks when there is traffic and on the side of the road when there is no traffic. Last year riding to a football game, I had a guy in a pick up truck yell at me to stay off the road when I was on the sidewalk and then he promptly turned right on red at a light in front of me. The light had a no turn on red sign. I hope Jason Lummis makes a quick and full recovery.
ffej440
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 4:22 p.m.
Keep in mind the MDOT budget was cut 62% for 2011 due to less gas tax revenue and the states inability to match federal funds. Every gallon of gas sold in Michigan includes a 19 cent road tax. We all agree better roads are the solution, but who should pay? With better fuel economy this is only going to get worse. What do you bike riders think is going to cover this- more gas tax??
AlwaysLate
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 4:10 p.m.
@Cindy Heflin...there is no mention of the time of day that this horrible accident took place. Was it after dark?
just a voice
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 4:03 p.m.
@ffej440; your are correct, roads were not built for bikes, they were built for all forms of transport, including walking, biking, cars, farm vehicles, trucks, etca. And roads have been around before cars. did you mean that those roads were not built with bikes in mind? Even so, bikes have a legal right to use that road, EVEN IF you need to slow down or stop to not hit them. Yes many bikers don't follow all the road rules, but usually when bikers are hit on these rural roads they are following the law, so your point is moot, also even if a biker doesn't follow all the road rules, that doesn't make it ok that they get hit agreed, we need better roads, but face facts, Michigans economy is in the dumps, so that aint going to happen at mw, great idea, plus if they hit you the trailer gets hit first you may survive better, just how much extra weight is it?
48104
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 3:39 p.m.
@ffej440 The only reason you have to worry about being hit from behind is because of drivers, like the one who hit this gentleman, who are in too much of a hurry and not paying attention, and then are evil enough to just drive on. I hope Lummis makes a full recovery and that the guy who hit him is caught and pays for his crimes.
mw
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 3:36 p.m.
I think bikes should be taxed, plated, insured and a liscense endorsement just like the autos that PAY for the roads. The extra money could be used to build more bike lanes, making roads safer for all. Why do we get this baseless comment on every thread about bikes? Very, very few riders use bicycles as their only means of transport. Not only do the vast majority pay the state and local taxes that pay for local road construction and maintenance, they invariably own cars and pay auto registration and fuel taxes, too. BTW -- you want to know how to be treated really well by drivers? Always tow a kids bike trailer behind you, whether or not you have any kids in it. Drivers, apparently, *really* don't want to run over little kids and will give you a wide berth whereas with single adult riders, they seem quite willing to take their chances and pass you without really worrying about how much room they give you.
ffej440
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 3:35 p.m.
Scott- My point is the real solution is to build better roads to fit all of us. This is going to cost money,why not treat bikes the same as autos if we are sharing the same road.There are a lot of bike riders that don't follow road rules it's not always the autos fault. Trust me, I have been hit by a bike and the rider claimed he never saw my car.
julieswhimsies
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 3:22 p.m.
Responsible cyclists have every right to be on our roads. As a driver, I plan for this. I also watch out for pedestrians and animals. I always assume other drivers are inattentive and incompetent. This is part of driving defensively. There is no excuse for the criminal who injured Mr. Lummis.
5c0++ H4d13y
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 3:16 p.m.
I'm pretty sure that Lummis pays federal, state, county and sales tax that all go to fund the roads. There are no "lock boxes" or separate accounting of government revenue.
ffej440
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 3:10 p.m.
Not that I condone what has happend,but riders need to understand that roads were not built for bikes. Often people ride on very busy roads that are too narrow for autos to give the safe distance needed without coming to a stop and waiting for oncoming traffic before they can pass you. Everytime I have to stop and wait like this I'm afraid I'm going to get hit from behind. Sounds to me like he should try a safer route. Until more paths are built like Pittsfield is doing we drivers are at risk also. I think bikes should be taxed, plated, insured and a liscense endorsement just like the autos that PAY for the roads. The extra money could be used to build more bike lanes, making roads safer for all.
julieswhimsies
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 3:09 p.m.
I wish Jason a speedy recovery. I certainly hope they catch the individual responsible for this horrible crime.
Barb
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 3:07 p.m.
I don't understand any of this. Why would someone throw things at bicyclist or yell at him? Why makes people so angry? Thank goodness he's going to be ok. He's sounds like quite a guy. He has my admiration.
5c0++ H4d13y
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 3:04 p.m.
I realized after seeing the TV interview that I bought a bike from Lummis this year. Of course I hope he makes a full recovery. It might make him feel better to know that I've logged dozens of miles on the bike with kids in tow on a tag-along or in trailer. I find the drivers of Washtenaw and A2 to be very disappointing. When I ride the 18 commuter bus into work the conversations sometimes goes to cyclists. Often people express a complete disregard for human life so long it's self powered on two wheels. It seems like some drivers are looking forward to the day they hit a cyclists so they can teach them a lesson. Those drivers have nothing to fear. The prosecutors and courts have sent a clear message to cyclists, "You will be killed and we will do nothing about it". The last two cyclists killed by obvious driver error resulted in little more than fines, probation and an expunged record. May as well call off the investigation now.
Monica Milla
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 3:02 p.m.
My heart goes out to Jason and I'm glad he survived. This is what every cyclist fears the most. I ride my bike at least three times a week and have NO idea why the Ann Arbor area is rated one of the bike friendliest areas. I constantly have to be on guard and even then, drivers pay NO attention. Roads have rough concrete that damages bikes; sidewalks often end and don't have cutouts at major road crossings, and drivers NEVER look for bicyclists or pedestrians on the sidewalk when they pull into/out of driveways. I wish drivers would realize bicyclists have a right to be on the road. And what kind of a bottom feeder doesn't stop when s/he hits someone?!?!
L'chaim
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 2:35 p.m.
I sincerely hope they can catch the perpetrator of this horrible, criminal act. Bad drivers are a lethal scourge on our roads! Share the road and watch out for each other. Jason, my best to you and your family...I hope you ride again and soon! I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for that Ford and I got the sheriffs tip line in my cell phone!
arborlib
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 2:17 p.m.
I understand Lummis went through a horrible experience, but no one is "trying to take biking away from him." Sure there are some inconsiderate drivers out there, but most of us (I'd like to believe) slow down and move over for bikers. They have as much right to be on the road as we do.