The Above Sign Was Made by Friends and Co-Workers of the Victim

Alert Streetsblog reader and member of the Ballona Creek Livable Streets Network Group Brian Treanor noticed the above sign biking home from work on the west side of Lincoln Boulevard, just south of the bridge over Ballona Creek.

I called the number on the sign and spoke to Sara, a regular bike commuter and victim from the crash.

On the morning of October 22, Sara began her regular bike commute to work.  Wearing visible clothing and a helmut, she rode a bike equipped with lights.  Riding in the bike lane on Lincoln, when she was struck from behind by a car and thrown from her bike.  Given that there were no other cars on the road at the time, the driver must not have been paying close attention because there were three empty car lanes, going south just to the left of the bike lane.

As Sara lied on the ground with a broken shoulder and a head contusion, the driver pulled over and went back to check on her.  After a brief conversation she called 911, reported the crash and drove away, leaving a wounded cyclist to deal with her medical bills herself and wait for the ambulence.

While Sara sounded in good spirits over the phone, and stressed in an email she feels lucky to be alive, she obviously wants the driver to own up to her mistake…a mistake that could easily have cost even the most careful of cyclists more than just broken bones and a contusion. 

If anyone has information on the crash, please give Sara a call at 310-210-5640.

Photo: Brian Treanor