Geo Duarte
By Geo Duarte
Hit and Run, intersection of E. Montecito and N. Quarantina
A black Honda Pilot traveling North struck a red Cannondale bike riding east around 3:23 PM on Thursday, 9/7/2023.
The driver of the Honda completely drove over the front wheel of the bicycle, breaking both carbon blades of the fork, and tacoing the rim. The impact threw the rider to the ground moderately injuring the cyclist, especially one leg.
The driver was described as a tall white male adult, weighing about 210 lbs. with a mustache and trimmed beard. The driver briefly got out the Honda Pilot then drove away. Witnesses stated he did not exchange insurance or contact information making this a hit-and-run.
The fleeing subject was wearing a safety vest with a local construction company’s name on it. If you have information about this accident please contact SBPD.
The rider was transported to Cottage Hospital for further evaluation. A passerby stated that bicycle was the local east side resident’s only prized possession.
The photos provided show the intersection where the Collision occurred and are not actual photos of vehicles involved.
I hope the cyclist recovers fully from any injuries. I just wanted to comment here and give a shout out to the cyclist dude (40ish) who blew through the stop at around 20mph, heading south on Laguna at Pedregosa. 7:00 a.m. Nice skills maneuvering around me, bud. Thanks for not splattering yourself all over the front of my car. And to the E-bike kid (just minutes later) who ignored the stop sign at Los Olivos and Santa Barbara St. and cruised on by doing about 25mph: Glad you’re wearing your helmet. You’re gonna need it.
My most recent trip from DT to the “Office” (upper State) I counted 15+ E-bikes NONE of which obeyed Stop signs nor Traffic signals. Came to the conclusion, that when purchasing/renting said vehicles they’re given the go ahead to ignore traffic laws?
As for this specific intersection (4-way STOP), I use Quarantina to go to the USPS office on Nopalitos Way, & can attest to most ignoring that 4-way. I always tense up going thru that underpass on Quarantina. (probably just some reflex reaction?)
…/end of E-bike rant
Glad it is being stated. Yet, Bicyclists in S.B. more than ever, Ignore all the rules. NOW, this is fine if thoueth, is traveling at 5 or 10 Miles Per Hour. Not at 25+! Good Luck, wayward riders!!!
There sure is constant bicycle traffic at ‘Cito and Quarantina. I stood there forabout an hour and saw almost 30 riders including E-Bikes. Not even one stopped for the Stop-Signs, in any direction! Mosty headed Eastward to Milpas on Motecito St.
9830 6:37 PM so you’re saying it was a slow day/time! That’s my TJ’s turn, I always stop but typicaly don’t “unclip”. even if I get to the stop first (in front of other vehicles) I’ll wait, obvious to me but not so much the driver/pilot, so then unclip & do the foot dab waiting till they proceed (sometimes it’ll take up to 245 sec. [at least that’s what it feels like]) to restore and proceed on my cautious way!
punctuation Dufuss off
A few days ago a really good friend of mine insisted that it’s okay in CA for cyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs. He said it was legal now in CA. I had to send him this:——————————
“Yes, cyclists in California must obey stop signs. Despite a 2021 push to allow California cyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs, bicyclists must still observe stop signs and red lights and come to a complete stop.” (https://maisonlaw.com/safety-laws/do-bikes-have-to-stop-at-stop-signs/#:~:text=Yes%2C%20cyclists%20in%20California%20must,come%20to%20a%20complete%20stop.)
Highly ironic if either is Catholic. Getting run over in front of the Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine
IIRC that intersection is a 4-way stop. Did the bicycle rider stop or did he ride through the intersection thus causing the accident?
SBPD needs to station officers at various intersections around the downtown-Milpas areas and warn AND ticket. Word will relatively soon get around, especially if this is a continuing SBPD activity.
Yes, I know the SBPD is underfunded; but this needs to be a visible priority. These floutings of the traffic rules lead to injuries and disrespect for all rules. …There’s a safety reason for traffic rules and it’s not just the self-important, above-the-law bicyclist that pays. …The streets off Milpas, below Gutierrez/Cota are especially bad.