yorolpal


As a lifelong motorcyclist this is, so unfortunately, not at all an unusual story. 

that's why I quit biking, the biggest car you can get the better for you and your family...
tank recommended.

that is very sad indeed, UB.  My heart goes out to the family and friends.

"experienced", does not mean smart.


the stats are all out there.

i very much doubt that they would have been killed if they HAD been wearing helmets, that's something that cops say just to make you feel better about it, and bottom line, cops aren't scientists.

Here in NC, the biker advocacy group called ABATE lobbied and got much tougher laws on the books..... It's known as "Kill a biker... Go to jail" Unfortunately, that doesn't help the biker very much. 

Unfortunately, in many bike accidents involving any other vehicle, the bike always loses. And the excuse is always that they didn't see the bike. 

I was riding on the interstate with my daughter on the back one day coming home from a bike event. I was riding in the "slow lane" on the interstate approaching an exit. My exit was still a few more miles up the road. A lady in an SUV came up beside me and was slightly ahead of me in the "fast lane" to my left.... she had just ....almost ....passed me.  She suddenly realized that the exit quickly approaching to the right was HER EXIT...... and without warning, she started over on me....and my daughter.  

A bike horn is not loud....and so she kept coming.... all this was at 70mph and in a matter of seconds. My only hope for survival rested in a quick maneuver off the side of the highway onto the shoulder while braking carefully so as not to skid or wipe out..... she kept going like I wasn't even there...straight across the lane and down the ramp. Had I not been paying attention I would have been plowed under by her.....along with my daughter..... and she would have claimed she didn't see me. 

I didn't like riding with cars beside me before...or after that for that very reason. 

Stop signs and intersections are always dangerous places for bikes. Right of way means nothing..... if you're on a bike and another vehicle takes the right of way....

Very sorry to hear of this Bubba.

I somehow missed Bapu's post regarding donations...

Perhaps if the church is starting a fund, the church address might be a good option, along with the full name of the dad who was killed.  That should be enough to enable the funds to get to the surviving family members.

Thanks so much for your support.  For those interested, the family stated in the obituary the following statement about donations.  I'm unable to access the site from this office, but I was able to access this site over the weekend.

memorial donations may be made to the Ludovice Memorial Fund at ChrisAndAlyssa.org.

8:53 p.m., the time reported as that of the accident's occurrence, was approximately 1 hours and 45 minutes after sundown at the location where the accident took place.


It may also be useful to note that the intersection where the tragedy occurred is on a curve in the road.

http://goo.gl/maps/e6CV0


The best I can determine is that the speed limit on that section of road is 45-55mph but if you look around on the internet you can find evidence that local citizen groups have been complaining that this section of route 47 has no effective speed limit enforcement and that speeding in that area has been problematic for some time.

Here's a criticism of that very stretch of route 47, 2 miles south of Woodstock Il., which is exactly where the accident occurred. The blog post is dated Sept 23, 2009.

http://woodstockadvocate....7-why-in-lakewood.html

"Most people around here know that the speed limit is enforced in Bull Valley. As a result, drivers generally slow down in Bull Valley and don't exceed the posted speed limit.

On Highway 47 south of Woodstock and on Highway 14 between Woodstock and Crystal Lake, it's a whole different story. Basically, there is no enforcement on Highway 47"




It is also evident that there have been several similar motorcycle automobile accidents at that intersection.

People seem to have pulled out and made left turns in front of motorcycles on several occasions.



It is very saddening to hear about loss of life, but it is even more saddening to see so many, so quickly and so confidently condemn the survivor who is a person who will live with the knowledge of what has happened for the rest of his life.





Just last year my dear friend Dave Baton was run down and killed while riding his bicycle along side his 10 year old son. I've known Dave longer than I've known my wife. He was a dear friend but at the time we, his family of friends, felt it was very important that we avoid vilifying the driver of the car until an investigation was finalized. We still don't really know what happened at the decisive moment but I am glad, for myself and my friends, to have retained compassion for all involved instead of jumping to conclusions in the absence of actual knowledge of the facts.


I think it's shameful that some have jumped to the conclusions displayed here but it is heartening to see that some are willing to lend support to at least some of the survivors.


regards,
mike






edited spelling and grammar.

UbiquitousBubba


Thanks so much for your support.  For those interested, the family stated in the obituary the following statement about donations.  I'm unable to access the site from this office, but I was able to access this site over the weekend.

memorial donations may be made to the Ludovice Memorial Fund at ChrisAndAlyssa.org.

Bad link.


Please update when you can Bubba.

It's a horrible and tragic story.
 
My sincere condolences.