Bicyclist Killed in Fatal Collision with Car

Pamela Welborn January 22, 2013 at 01:11 pm

Plus at 7am there could have been fog.... no mention of the weather or if he was wearing a helmet... I used to be a nanny and I lived in UC and went to the neighborhood off paseo padre. When there was fog, I went a different way because of the fog... I'm just wondering.

Pamela Welborn January 22, 2013 at 01:17 pm

No one said the driver was sited or was driving too fast....

W. E. SPICER January 22, 2013 at 02:42 pm

The most dangerous thing you can do, is ride your bike on city streets. It is like a death wish. I have been clipped twice, bump over once. The only city street that I ride on is the short distance to Alameda Creek Trail, the trail is paved and NO CARS.
From Niles to Coyote Hills Park it is 12 beautiful miles.

Greg Brown January 22, 2013 at 04:29 pm

W.E. Spicer
I was involved in an accident on the Alameda Creek Trail 2 years ago. I called out to a person who was walking ahead of me who I was politely warning that I was going to come up from behind to pass on her left but at that very moment when I was was getting close to her she suddenly moved left causing me to ride into her. My speed was no more than 5 miles per hour but I ended up with five (5) broken ribs, a broken finger of my left hand and a broken left collarbone. She came out of the incident without a scratch.

Nick January 22, 2013 at 05:52 pm

They go by you later because there was traffic in the other lane.

Nick January 22, 2013 at 05:54 pm

Agreed, many a times, I see motorists looking down, in their lap, talking on cell phones, fiddling with this or that. You're handling a 3,000 pound killing machine if you're not paying attention.

Nick January 22, 2013 at 05:56 pm

Agreed, we're a society of too late. All it takes is for 1 second of not paying attention and you cost someone their life. A mom, a dad, a son, a daughter, a friend.

Jennifer January 22, 2013 at 05:56 pm

You are an exception to the rule. Most bike riders I have driven by are not responsible. They do not obey the laws and they often ride side-by-side, especially in Niles, which makes it more dangerous for everyone. Once I was on a winding road and a bunch of bike riders took up the whole lane. That is just plain stupid.

Brad Louie January 22, 2013 at 06:51 pm

I've been riding a motorcycle for 35-years & a mountain bike for a little over 1-year & I think bicyclists on roadbikes are crazy, especially on roads like Niles Canyon.
Any time you have a 3k-5k lbs. vehicle passing you 30-50 mph greater than your speed, 2-3 ft. away, well...you do the math. There will always be neglectful, careless & reckless drivers AND bicyclists and the bicyclist is going to get the worst of it, every time. Good luck to bicyclists on roadbikes and God Bless Mr. Martinez.

Daniel January 22, 2013 at 08:33 pm

The last time I rode my bike was four years ago in the bike lane on Paseo Padre coming back from Coyote Hills. A guy in a box truck intentionally swerved into the bike lane missing me by mere inches. No doubt his game was to see how close he could get to me. My bike now hangs in the garage collecting dust.

Thomas Clarke January 22, 2013 at 10:30 pm

Alb1975, not sure how you made it out of puberty, or maybe you did not. Bicycles have always been required to follow the rules of the road. Sidewalks are not OK for bicycles at all. Perhaps you did not go to school or get a driver's license. The folks who raised you and brought you up are certainly guilty of teaching you very poor cycling habits and worse than that have allowed you to promulgate your views. You and your bike do not belong on the sidewalk. Stay off it. You are dangerous and a menace to those of us who walk, have a dog on lead, are jogging, or wheeling a stroller. Stay in the road on right side of the road and follow the traffic rules. Or you could just stay home and rot.

Oscar Egg January 23, 2013 at 12:30 pm

Nothing would improve our country's evil, lethal, idiot transportation culture like losing one of our oil wars and having the price of gas immediately double. America's drivers have become an out-of-control predator species and need to be slapped down hard.
$10 a gallon gas would be the greatest blessing!

reggieqh1 January 23, 2013 at 12:47 pm

I see bikers in Niles canyon all the time running the Stop sign on the Sunol side, I love Niles canyon, it’s so beautiful, except when Bikes are on it! And when I drove to Livermore to see my horse a lot of Bike riders would be riding two abreast on the roads. Certainly not going to argue against driver's needing to slow down (Leave earlier people and you won't have to speed) Pick-up trucks and SUV's are driven like weapons. BUT bike riders ride the road like they are privileged & superior. And the Alameda creek trail bike riders a lot of you came whizzing by my horse w/o warning. This scares a horse and can unseat a rider. You are relatively silent and the horse (a prey animal) thinks predator coming from behind. No one stops after to see if the Rider was ok. >:(

HeyThere January 23, 2013 at 09:15 pm

Everyone must understand that this is a sad and difficult incident for both the victim/family AND for the driver who hit him...
From the article it says the driver was cooperative and stayed on the scene...it wasn't some wreckless hit-and run. It is very easy for something to happen in a split second, even if both bikers and motorists are following the laws. A biker might slightly weave over a little too much into the road and a safe driver might clip them and bam...that's all it takes. As an avit bike rider AND as a commuter driving 60mi daily to work and back, I can say that accidents will always happen and the best way to prevent them is for BOTH bicyclists and motorists to not be stupid or careless and be safe/cautious. Bike riders need to wear reflective or bright clothing if it's dark, AND HAVE LIGHTS ON YOUR BIKE!! One in front, one in back so people can actually see you. If you're going to be riding in a busy city area, use common sense and be very alert and aware. Remember...you have no metal surrounding you for protection if you collide. Drivers: If you see a bicyclist, be courteous to them and slow the f*ck down for a second...if you have room in your lane, move a bit to the side so you can SAFELY pass them. It's not that hard.... C'mon people work together... My best wishes go out to the family and driver involved. <3

Susan P. January 23, 2013 at 09:27 pm

I knew David Martinez and he was a very experienced cyclist who spent several hours in the saddle. He was a responsible cyclist and probably rode Paseo Padre Pkwy because it has a very obvious bike lane, which I assume he used to commute to/from work. He was a park ranger. I hope this accident is thoroughly investigated. I feel terrible that his life was taken and he leaves behind a wife and family. RIP, Dave.

Marin Family January 24, 2013 at 08:32 pm

Thank you for your kind words, Susan. Please keep an eye out for information regarding his service next week.

Diana Tashjian January 25, 2013 at 01:09 pm

Is there any way to find out from the police (public information?) exactly what happened? Thanks, Diana

Zack M. January 25, 2013 at 08:57 pm

Thomas, while I agree with you that riding on the sidewalk is not the safest (many studies have shown it's actually the most dangerous) and should be discouraged (as should riding against traffic) in many places there are no rules stating that riding on the sidewalk is prohibited, as you seem to be implying. It's not set in the CVC and is left to individual municipalities to regulate, many of which allow it.

Edward January 26, 2013 at 02:34 am

I knew Dave. He was a really nice guy. Had an amazing collection of old road bikes, would really knock your socks off. A dad. An EB Parks ranger. A rider. I have an old Italian bike frame hanging in my garage that I bought from him. I don't know if I'll ever build it.
I thought about him on my ride home tonight. RIP Dave Morgan

Edward January 26, 2013 at 02:38 am

http://forums.mtbr.com/california-norcal/too-close-home-another-car-vs-cyclist-835095.html Scrole down to photos and Messages. I hope this helps. RIP Dave :(

Edward January 26, 2013 at 02:49 am

Uncle Dave
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dave Martinez was an avid cyclist since the 70's. He and his wife Linda were members of the Fremont Freewheeler Cycling club back in the day. He also was big into motocross back in the early 70's. I recall him talking about a Bultaco 250 that he owned, which was very fast. I often tried to get Dave interested in mountain biking but he never got bit by the MTB bug. Dave and Linda took trips to Italy to ride in vintage cycling rides. They visited the church at Madonna del Ghisallo. He gave me a head badge from the church which I keep on my Turner. I did get to enjoy a couple of road rides with Dave and I am forever grateful that we got to ride together. Uncle Dave will be missed

Thomas Clarke January 26, 2013 at 02:47 pm

Zack, in no way was I commenting on the CVC. Many locations do prohibit the riding of bicycles on sidewalks and as you pointed out many do not. My post is about the point, which you agreed to, is that the riding of bicycles on sidewalks is among the most dangerous of activities. My post was specifically directed to Alb1975 who thinks it is right to ride a bike on sidewalks. Alb1975 is wrong to advocate this activity and anyone who thinks it is safe are equally complicit with supporting dangerous activities.
Whether it is legal or not it is dangerous. This activity of bicycle sidewalk riding is not one that should be supported, whether it is proscribed by law or not. If you live in a municipality that OK's this activity, you should realize that pedestrians and cyclists and skateboarders and inline skaters do not mix at all. I do not know of any municipalities or counties that indicate that it is OK to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk that is for pedestrians. Do us all a favor Zack M and tell us where those municipalities are located. Not a list that prohibit, but those that encourage it. The municipalities and other legal entities may not have a need to write a law for every thing that is wrong, some have. I suspect that the CVC is the authoritiy and not the local law that permits violation. You really should get your facts straight.

Peter Naiman January 27, 2013 at 01:47 am

I'm from Milwaukee and knew of Dave from a cycling online group we are both members of. From what I know of David he was very well liked and respected by many people from all over. I'm sure he rode responsibly. I'm anxious to hear more information about the accident details. His passing is unfortunate and he will be missed by his family and many, many friends.
As for comments, it's a double edged sword. Here in Milwaukee there are many cyclists who don't pay attention to rules of the road just as there are drivers who fail to do the same. Cyclist and automobile drivers need to learn to share the road responsibly and to respect each others space, Cyclist need to stop at stop sign, lights, etc and stay in lanes provided for them just as drivers need to obey speed limits and respect the cycle lane space that is meant for cyclist only. If we all do this it will be safer for all. To cyclists who want to use sidewalks. Sidewalks are meant for pedestrians not bicycles so respect the pedestrian just as you want drivers to respect your space and stay on the road not the sidewalk. Peter Milwaukee, WI

Greg Brown January 27, 2013 at 03:09 pm

In some European cities, like Berlin, bike lanes are not painted on streets but on the sidewalks. Aside from the usual city traffic lights Berlin bike lanes also have there own cute little traffic lights. While on a visit I had rented a bike and rode around town feeling so much more relaxed than I had ever felt here back home in the U.S.
One thing caught my attention in Berlin and in Vienna which I thought was a bit odd, hardly nobody wore a cycling helmet. In fact I seen very few kids wearing any protective headgear. I too will agree with many of the posters who said here that there are lots of drivers and too many bikers who do not follow the rules of the road. Mr Martinez, rest in peace. ps, I would like to find out what or who caused this accident, but like most local news stories dealing with a serious or somber theme, details are sketchy.

Marin Family January 28, 2013 at 02:52 pm

Thank you for your comments. Please feel free to visit his guest book. Thank you again for your kind words.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/insidebayarea/obituary.aspx?n=david-martinez&pid=162634258

Marin Family January 28, 2013 at 02:55 pm

Thank you for your kind words. Please feel free to visit his obituary and guest book page. Thanks again.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/insidebayarea/obituary.aspx?n=david-martinez&pid=162634258

Marin Family January 28, 2013 at 02:56 pm

Noelle,
Did this occur at Tamayo or Isherwood? Thanks for your help and kind words.

F-J January 29, 2013 at 02:47 pm

To the family ..... and mostly to his wife. I want to offer my sympathy to you. The wife, friend, lover and everything else to your husband. Loosing your husband as you might know already is having your heart ripped out of your body. My healthy husband of 48 suddenly got sick and died. The pain is so sudden and you go through everything you have to do with "blank" on the brain. Your heart hurts so much you can't even imagine that it won't burst. So much I do remember from that time but there's so much I don't recall. Accept the love you are given, your family around you and my thoughts are with all of you.

Mike Hughes March 20, 2013 at 01:57 am

Why was the ghost bike taken down. It was a memorial for him...

Michael N. April 14, 2013 at 12:36 am

I'm slowing down.. and paying attention to pedestrians, bikers and cyclists we all share the road..be safe all. Peace