Sunday, May 18, 2008

It's called Alamo

The CC Times this morning reported on an accident today as follows:
Bicyclist injured in hit-and-run accidentBay City News Service

The California Highway Patrol was en route just after noon today to an accident involving a bicyclist who was hit by a vehicle northwest of Danville in unincorporated Contra Costa County.

The hit-and-run accident occurred at about 11:50 a.m. on Danville Boulevard at Via Don Jose.

The bicyclist reportedly has a severe head injury, according to the CHP.


[emphasis added]



Via Don Jose is just North of downtown, between Stone Valley and Livorna. There couldn't be a more "Alamo" location. Thanks CC Times!

The report also makes me hope the guy pulls through OK, and to wonder what really happened. Was it North or Southbound? Northbound riders and drivers are just starting to relax after getting through downtown. Southbound drivers are supposed to be slowing down for the new 25 mph zone, and cyclists are unfurling their "city traffic" antennae, because things are about to be crazy.

It also reminds me to carry ID when I'm out biking.

I've never much liked the Blvd as a cycling route despite the evident popularity. It's too flat, has too many stop lights, and too much traffic which is always unpredictable. The Valley Blvd not a pleasant bike ride until you get South of Stoneridge in Dublin, and we will not speak of Walnut Creek to the North.

I still have no idea what is going on with the bike lane Northbound at Oak Tree Plaza where it goes from two to one lane, and the repaving by the County a few years ago made the bike lane much rougher than it was before. It smooths out remarkably at the Danville border.