As if the news hasn’t been bad enough this weekend, yet another person was killed riding a bicycle, this time in Huntington Beach Friday night.
According to the Daily Pilot, the victim, identified only as a 62-year old homeless man, was struck by a 72-year old driver on deadly PCH near Seapoint Street around 10:20 pm.
The Orange County Register reports he was riding south on PCH when he swerved across the five lane highway, and was hit by the northbound driver.
He died at the scene as a result of serious head injuries.
And no, he wasn’t wearing a helmet. Although we have no way of knowing if his injuries would have been survivable with one.
Or whether it could have made any difference on a road where the 55 mph speed limit is little more than a suggestion, and virtually any crash is a death sentence to anyone not surrounded by a couple tons of glass and steel.
We also don’t know if the victim was without a helmet by choice, or because he didn’t have access to one.
The driver remained at the scene, and police don’t suspect intoxication played a factor.
Anyone with information is urged to call Huntington Beach Police Department traffic investigator Adam Turner at 714/536-5670.
Sadly, too many people will write the victim off as just another homeless person, as if that makes his death any less tragic. Or any less of a loss to his family and friends.
People forced to live on the streets have little enough value in our society when they’re alive. They shouldn’t be forgotten in death, as well.
This is at least the eleventh bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fourth that I’m aware of in Orange County.
It’s also the fourth bicycling death we’ve learned about in the last two days.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and all his loved ones.
So sad to hear this
It’s happening far too often And especially In HB
Too many drunks and drivers traveling at high speeds
And Why are these Bars still over serving ? Sharkeez? Hurricanes?
Prayers for the victim and family ❤️
It is very sad! Especially for the family that he leaves behind! But what about the poor guy that hit him? He was doing nothing wrong and this guy cuts across the highway in front of him. That was choice he made. This article has nothing to do with the bars downtown HB. Not sure why Dani brought it up.
RIP.
My heart goes out to this man’s loved ones.
There are far too many deaths on our streets. Although they are tragic, we need to be reminded about them. Thanks, Ted, for doing this from duty.
…grim duty
I drive PCH all the time as a Route to and from work. A lot of byciclist do NOT USE LIGHTS IR REFLECTORS; which doesn’t help drivers to see them. This is so sad and could’ve been prevented if the cyclist had driven on THE BIKE PATH AND NOT THE ROAD!!! I don’t understand why they Ride on PCH at all.
Most bicyclists ride for the same reason that most drivers drive. They want to get somewhere.
The beach trail, as beautiful as it is, is not a very useful way to get somewhere. There is a 10 mph speed limit that drops to 5 mph around pedestrians. Most people ride at 15 or even 20 mph. Access to side streets, such as 1st through 22nd Street is not practical. The beach trail is great for sightseeing but not transportation.
State and Federal law has always recognized bicycling as a legitimate form of transportation, but most roads are designed only for cars and trucks. Adding safe access for bikes and pedestrians is long overdue, and relegating them to out-of-the-way, off-road paths is not the answer.
To clarify, when you say “Most people ride at 15 or even 20 mph” I assume that’s regarding commuters and bike club rides? The “silent majority” of cyclists ride <15 mph, and the majority of those are out enjoying a recreational ride, and this great bike trail is just fine for them, a safe(r) alternative to PCH. I understand 20 mph cyclists shouldn't be on that bike trail, and have no safe options, which should be addressed as a priority. The 10 mph speed limit on the path is a mistake and probably does divert some cyclists to dangerous PCH. It should be 15 mph, reduced to 10 mph where necessary for safety like next to the lots where peds cross to the beach, kind of like what I and most others actually do, especially on non-crowded off season weekdays.
My 15 mph claim is just based on my experience, and I can’t prove it. A web search wasn’t any help, either.
The point is that Sandra couldn’t understand why people ride on PCH. My answer, regardless of average speeds, is that the bike path is great for recreation but not useful for transportation, and that’s why people ride on PCH.