You’ve got to be kidding.
Someone was killed riding a bicycle in Santa Ana early Sunday afternoon. And the local cops were quick to show they don’t seem to understand bike law.
According to multiple reports, the victim was struck by a driver traveling south on Fairview Street while crossing Fairview at 12th Street around 12:09 pm Sunday.
The victim, identified only as an adult male, died at the scene.
The driver remained following the crash, and did not appear to be under the influence.
However, for some reason, the press release issued by the Santa Ana Police Department stressed that the victim was crossing the street outside of a crosswalk. As if there was some super secret section of the law that requires, or even implies, that bicyclists are supposed to use a crosswalk.
There isn’t.
Bicycles are required to follow the same rules as motor vehicles. So until drivers are required to use the crosswalk, there can be no expectation that bike riders should, either.
And just like drivers, people on bicycles can cross or turn mid-block, or continue forward on a cross street.
However, unlike motor vehicles, bike riders are allowed to use a crosswalk, which is considered an extension of the sidewalk. Someone riding legally on a sidewalk can continued forward in the crosswalk, regardless of whether they are traveling with or against traffic.
It’s also worth noting that there is no crosswalk on Fairview at 12th, which would make using one rather difficult.
So whether or not the victim was in a crosswalk is totally irrelevant. Maybe someone could pass that on to the Santa Ana cops, who don’t seem to grasp that concept.
The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to call Detective K. Briley of the Santa Ana Police Department’s Collision Investigation Unit at 714/245-8215, or the Santa Ana Police Traffic Division at 714/245-8200.
This is the 30th bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, and the third we know about in Orange County.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and all his loved ones.
