When we hear about a cyclist killed or injured, it seems that the most common cause is an unfortunate encounter with a motorist.
Well, today I read a “first”: a rider who was electrocuted.
No, he wasn’t riding an eBike. And his electronic shifting system wasn’t to blame because, well, he didn’t have one.
Rather, the cyclist in question was pedaling along a suburban bike path when he hit a downed power line.
First responders got the call just before 8:30 pm yesterday. So, it probably wasn’t dark, but I would suspect that in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania—just slightly south of my hometown New York—the light conditions were less than optimal.
Also, from all accounts, Robert Anderson was not only an experienced cyclist, he was also a physical education teacher who practiced what he taught. So, he was in better condition than most people his age (63) and therefore cruising at a pretty good clip.
That meant, as one of his friends explained, he most likely didn’t see that power line until he was, or almost was, on it and thus had no time to react.
Given other things that friend—and others—have said, it’s fair to wonder how long before Anderson’s fateful encounter the Duquesne Light Company knew about the problem, and whether they could have cordoned off the area before Anderson unwittingly took his last ride into it.
I have way too many questions. What happened to the
ReplyDeletetape that was put up hours before he ran into the power
lines? Did someone think it done as a joke and removed
them? Did he or his friends see the tape?
Over the years I have heard of too many anti bicycle pranks
so I think more should have been done then just put up some
yellow tape. At the very minimum they should had placed barricades
with flashing lights on each side of the power lines.
This did not have to happen!
Anon—I agree with everything you’ve said. Anderson simply didn’t have to die for taking an early evening ride on a bike lane. Whether some kids were playing a prank by removing the tape, or the power company was negligent, Mr. Anderson should be with us today.
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