Bicycle Austin forum

MichaelBluejay

Webmaster

From: Austin, TX

Registered: 2008-05-26

Posts: 1,466

Website

Male 30s cyclist killed at 5100 block of 290 service road 11/5/16

It was 5:30am (dark).  He had proper lights, but there was fog.  The driver stayed on the scene and wasn't charged.

http://www.twcnews.com/tx/austin/news/2 … y-290.html

owlman

Member

Registered: 2011-12-16

Posts: 142

Re: Male 30s cyclist killed at 5100 block of 290 service road 11/5/16

It's frustrating to me that, in southwest Austin, the only east/west through roads north of William Cannon (71/290 and SW Parkway) have long stretches without shoulders or even sidewalks.  Even William Cannon all you get is a sidewalk for most of it.  It's so unsafe to ride a bike to our new multimillion dollar Barton Creek bike/ped bridge from the southwest.

TxDOT proposed putting bike lanes in the 290/71 frontage roads there when they were resurfacing it two summers ago, but decided not to.  I know bike lanes aren't a cure all but when the only alternative is riding IN a lane of high-speed traffic, gimme the bike lane.  Might have saved this guy's life.

Last edited by owlman (2016-11-05 20:17:34)

AusTexMurf

Member

From: South Austin

Registered: 2008-11-21

Posts: 439

Re: Male 30s cyclist killed at 5100 block of 290 service road 11/5/16

I ride in this area frequently. Connectivity and Safety suck in this zone. I frequently take the lane on 290 access road, usually feeling quite at risk. My 13 year old son cannot reasonably do so. Neither could this unfortunate person. I will continue advocating for change in this zone. We all should. I will also move this discussion and these issues to the attention of the BAC. Thanks for posting, Michael.

Tip. If you are riding a mountain bike (old rigid steel works), CX, touring or hybrid with wide, versatile tires…
You can parallel south of 290/71 on W St Elmo, Redd, Western Trails, Jones Rd to connect to Sunset Valley. Ride the decomposed granite MUP on east side of Ernest Robles Way to connect to the Sunset Valley trail system. Bear South on the concrete trail to enter the trails on Williamson Creek. Use the creek trail to go under Brodie, through the Indian Grass Prairie Preserve, and under MoPac. You can continue on the trail to Brush Country which connects to William Cannon or Convict Hill. Or you can ride sidewalk salmon on south bound MoPac access road to Monterey Oaks. Take the lane west bound and you can get to Small MS or across 290 safely at the 290/Monterey Oaks light. Better options from that point. MoPac/290 interchange is flat out dangerous for bicyclists. I know. I have to ride in this area at minimum two to three days per week.

A jogger was just hit and killed in this area about a year ago:

http://kxan.com/2015/09/25/woman-dies-a … n-hwy-290/

Last edited by AusTexMurf (2016-11-06 05:25:02)

AusTexMurf

Member

From: South Austin

Registered: 2008-11-21

Posts: 439

Re: Male 30s cyclist killed at 5100 block of 290 service road 11/5/16

CITY OF AUSTIN
http://www.austintexas.gov/news/traffic-fatality-60-0
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: Nov. 08, 2016
Contact: Contact: Public Information Office     512-974-5017    Email
TRAFFIC FATALITY #60
Case: 16-3100481

Date: November 5, 2016

Time: 7:20 a.m.

Location: 5200 U.S. Highway 290 West

Deceased: Joseph Patrick Daniels, white male (D.O.B. 3-17-82)

The preliminary investigation shows that a bicyclist was traveling westbound in the outside lane of the 5200 block of U.S. Highway 290 West service road. A 2010 white Dodge Charger was traveling in the same lane. The Charger hit the bicyclist from behind. At the time of the crash the roadway was dark and dimly lit.

This case is still being investigated. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the APD Vehicular Homicide Unit Detectives at (512) 974-6935. You can also submit tips by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD, for free on iPhone and Android. This is Austin’s 60th fatal traffic crash and the 61st fatality of 2016. At this time in 2015, there were 85 traffic fatalities in Austin.

These statements are based on the initial assessment of the fatal crash and investigation is still pending. Fatality information may change.