• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail
CalBike
  • About Us
  • Get Involved
    • Support the Bicycle Safety Stop
    • Legalize Safe Street Crossings
    • Plan for the Future Campaign
    • Pass the OmniBike Bill
    • Email Your Representatives: $2 Billion for Bikes
    • Save Bike-Share!
    • Volunteer
    • Join/Renew
  • What We Do
    • $2 Billion for Bikes
    • Be the first to Know: E-Bike Purchase Incentives
    • $10M E-Bike Affordability Program
    • Bike the Vote 2022 Endorsements
    • 2022 Legislative Watch
    • California Bicycle Summit
    • More…
  • Resources
    • Free Quick-Build Bikeway Design Guide
    • Learn to Bike at Any Age
    • Map & Routes
    • Crash Help
    • Register Your Bike
    • California Bicycle Laws
    • All Our E-Bike Work
  • News
    • Blog
    • CalBike In the News
    • Press Releases
    • CalBike Insider
  • Shop
  • Donate
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
  • About Us
  • Get Involved
  • What We Do
  • Summit
  • Resources
  • News
  • Shop
  • Donate
The Latest

CalBike Request Wins Reversal of CHP Bike-Blaming

August 12, 2016/in The Latest /by Zac

Early one morning last month, in a suburb of Sacramento, a motorist ran into the back of two bicyclists, killing one and injuring the other. It happened on Fiddyment Road in Roseville, a two-lane road with no shoulders and lanes so narrow that there’s no way a car could possibly pass a bicycle without crossing into opposing traffic.

That’s all we truly know: it’s an unexplained rear-end collision. The California Highway Patrol’s official statement, however, placed the blame squarely on the victim’s shoulders by repeating the driver’s claim that the bicyclist swerved into his path.

It’s bad news that police at the scene of a fatal car-bike crash too often take as fact the story of the only surviving witness, recording unsubstantiated claims in the official record. Important decisions about safety priorities are made based on these accounts. It’s worse when the CHP press office joins in blaming the person on the bicycle, interfering with a fair investigation. The victim blaming has been repeated far and wide in local media reports on the collision.

The California Bicycle Coalition contacted the California Highway Patrol after this happened and got a strong, concerned response from the CHP’s representative to the Bicycle Advisory Committee, Sergeant Scott Taylor. Taylor agreed that the CHP press releases should refrain from making conclusions about what happened in a potential crime until after the investigation is complete. Officer Taylor’s training will make a tragic incident such as this into a teachable moment by communicating helpful information to motorists to help prevent tragedies like this in the future.  Additionally, communication training will be provided at upcoming bicycle safety classes for the CHP public information officers.

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share by Mail
https://www.calbike.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/calbike-logo.png 0 0 Zac https://www.calbike.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/calbike-logo.png Zac2016-08-12 18:34:372018-08-11 21:26:35CalBike Request Wins Reversal of CHP Bike-Blaming

Latest News

  • bike the voteElection Recap: June 2022 PrimaryJune 21, 2022 - 11:36 am
  • save bike shareCoalition Opposed to Kill Bike Share BillJune 21, 2022 - 11:17 am
  • girl in pink helmet headerThe Quietly Transformative OmniBike Bill, AB 1909June 8, 2022 - 10:35 am

Join the movement for better biking in California

Be the first to hear about the latest news and actions you can take to help create bike-friendly communities.

DONATE

JOIN/RENEW

CONTACT US

ABOUT US

  • About Us
  • Financials & Governance
  • Staff
  • Board of Directors
  • Local Partners
  • State and National Allies
  • Careers
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us

WHAT WE DO

  • Current Projects and Campaigns
  • Past Campaigns and Projects
  • California Bicycle Summit
  • Sign-On Letters
  • 2022 Legislative Watch

RESOURCES

  • Fact Sheets and FAQs
  • Design Best Practices
  • COVID-19 and Bicycling
  • Tips and Tricks for Happy Biking
  • Crash Help
  • Our Video Channel

EVENTS

  • California Bicycle Summit: April 2022
  • California Dream Ride
CalBike Logo

California Bicycle Coalition | 1017 L Street, #288, Sacramento, CA 95814 | 916-258-5189

Made by Zac Maybury

California Bicycle Coalition
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail
Local Focus: Janine Rood of Chico Velo The California Bicycle Coalition Seeks to Demystify Building Protected Bike...
Scroll to top