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Hi.

   I live in the Cedar Hills area and work in Wilsonville. I was a regular commuter by bike to work but have been involved in two accidents involving automobiles. The first accident occurred by a playground at 3:30 in the afternoon. School had just let out, four schools were in walking distance of the intersection and children were present. I was in a well marked bike lane, wearing an orange jesery and the driver, no turn signal, took a right turn cutting me off. The excuse, she didn't see me. She was given no citation and so her insurance company puts me equally at fault which has resulted in litigation. As a side not, I remember having to take a vision test when I get my driver's license renewed. I feel that just building mor bike lanes is not going to be sufficient without legal policies that protect bicyclists. As long as we allow people to plead negligence and get a free pass, bicycling will not be safe.

   In the second accident the driver was cited and there is no contest from the driver. The second driver also says she did not see me. With headlines in the paper showing bicyclists killed and the drivers who don't see them not punished, then negligence is protected.

posted 3 years, 6 months ago
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