CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

Sherry Rennard

July 15th, 2010

So sad to hear of this news. My prayers go out to all who were with him when it happened, and to his family. Tragic loss and cruel reminder of how quickly life can be taken.

octrimom

July 15th, 2010

So is 30 mph considered speeding? The speed limit is much higher than 30 mph on Spyglass Hill. This was a group of cyclists, so I can't imagine how the gardener/driver did not see them before pulling out off the side road.

Jerry Brooks

July 15th, 2010

Another death of a bicyclist in Newport Beach !!! As a serious cyclist I'm outraged !!! What has this "City task force on cycling safety" done to improve cycling safety ? Are there any serious cyclist on it or just politicians with a CYA for the city attitude !!!

Frank Peters

July 15th, 2010

Three fatalities in one year!  We must act to improve safety for cyclists. We'll save lives by raising awareness. We'll raise awareness by implementing some, or any, of the recommendations of the Bike Safety Committee. Let's hope this latest loss of life compels the City to act quickly. Member of Bike Safety Cmte

CeeDubb

July 15th, 2010

Mike Nine?

foofighter

July 15th, 2010

so 30 mph is considered speeding in a 45mph zone interesting. As a journalist you really should watch how you frame an article because right off the bat you made a cyclist look bad. Report the facts please. As for this tragic news, it's terrible that so many riders travel through Newport as well as other beach communities and yet this one seems to have the higher fatalities. I'm curious what the City Council will do to address this.

Rob Templin

July 15th, 2010

This loss was devastating news; I was part of this group- ride this morning and prayed for a better answer when the ambulance pulled away. The journalist and an earlier police comment were incorrect (and many of us did talk to the police at the scene) : the cyclist was traveling under the 40 mph posted limit - and the cyclist "didn't lose control" he was trying to avoid a yard-maintenance truck that pulled out in front of the riders. This is one of cycling's worst nightmares ...

paul

July 15th, 2010

I was on the ride. I know Mike. He was a great bike handler and a real level headed guy. I was off the back as this descent always scares me. I did not see anything until I came around the corner and saw Mike in the road. Others were assisting him, so I directed traffic. The riders that were up at the scene all gave their statements. I cannot say what happened, but it was not Mike's fault. I can say there was not any reporter there. OC is a great place to ride. There are a lot more cyclist here than almost anywhere else in the country. More cyclist = more crashes. The people in the cars are frustrated by the people on the bikes and vica versa. Calm down and be considerate. This descent does have a lot of "aggressive" drivers that do not like anyone in their way when they are late for work.

Justin Boado

July 15th, 2010

This is sad and scary because I am new to cycling and love riding on pch.

CORONA DEL MAR TODAY » Crash Victim Identified; Cycling Advocates Outraged

July 15th, 2010

[...] 30 mph when he tried to avoid a gardener’s truck pulling in front of him; read that story here. The speed limit in the area is 45 mph, Burdette [...]

Corona del Mar Today Staff

July 15th, 2010

Reply to

I corrected this information as soon as I verified the speed limit. You are right.

NBMom

July 15th, 2010

I live in Harbor Ridge, the neighborhood on Spyglass Hill Road that the gardener pulled out of (it was from an exit road, not the main entrance). It is absolutely possible that the gardener did NOT see this bicyclist. It is completely a blind curve downhill where the accident happened and unfortunately anyone could have pulled out there. Bicyclists come down that hill very fast all day long and it is a highly frequented road. I feel badly for the cyclist and the gardener.

Mike

July 16th, 2010

I also live in the Harbor Ridge neighborhood and I leave via the exit road every day. I NEVER proceed without looking both ways several times because just when you think it is safe to exit a car or cyclist can appear in an instant. Due to the curvature of the road it is a dangerous situation for anyone exiting as well as those traveling down the decent. Out of respect for all cyclists it is my opinion that this route is not safe when traveling faster then your bicycle is capable of braking safely if an exiting vehicle is encountered. Please use caution in this area

Alicia Light

July 16th, 2010

Very sad news. It was a shock to see his name in the paper this afternoon. I knew Mike when I started riding mountain bikes in 1994. We would ride El Moro, Whiting Ranch and up to Four Corners with Paul, Adamar, Andy, Dan and few others. It was nice to see him again recently at the Como Street ride. He was a good guy, very quick with a smile and a friendly word. He will be missed. My sympathies go out to his family.

jeff kessler

July 17th, 2010

I agree fully with Frank Peters comments & efforts that the safety committee take to eliminate to the greatest extent cycle casulaties. While this recent incident deeply sadens me, as a fellow cyclist I strongly consider that we must be particularly defensive / cautious as riders, and even avoiding downhill speeds nearing 30 mph, which dont provide much leeway when we need to be road reactive to the lanes we share with vehicles & trucks

Al De Rosas

July 20th, 2010

The loss of Mike is not only a loss to his fellow cyclist group but to his wife and family. My thoughts and prayers go out to all who knew this kind, fun loving guy with a zest for life in anything he did. The memories of him at family get togethers are ones I will treasure for the rest of my life.