A student crossing Main Street on her bike Feb. 14 was struck by an SUV coming out of the parking garage across the street even though the student had the signal to cross. Fortunately, the student survived. The accident serves as a reminder of the need for cyclists and pedestrians to remain cautious on and off campus.
“Even when you have the right of way, always stay vigilant,” said Rice Police Chief Johnny Whitehead. He noted that the Houston Chronicle recently reported that nearly 25 bike riders have been killed on Houston streets during the past five years.
Richard Johnson, who chairs Rice’s Bicycle Safety Committee, said a “heightened awareness” is warranted when students, faculty and staff are walking or cycling off campus.
“Once you go outside the hedges, the cars are coming down Main Street quickly, and pedestrians and cyclists need to give their full attention to the traffic,” he said. “Those drivers are not anticipating pedestrian and bicycle traffic like they would if they were on campus. In fact, they’re driving twice as fast, and some are visitors to the Texas Medical Center who are a bit confused about where to go. The bottom line is that you’ve got to be alert, because they might not be.”
Whitehead noted that the city has been working on intersection improvements, crosswalks and signal timing along the Main Street corridor between Rice and the Texas Medical Center. The intersection of Main Street and University Boulevard was redesigned with “traffic calming” features designed to slow down or reduce motor vehicle traffic.
Cyclists should obey traffic signs and signals and follow lane markings. They should avoid riding against traffic; motorists may not look for cyclists riding on the wrong side of the road. Cyclists also should avoid passing on the right, where a motorist may not be looking for a bike.
Although the city streets pose greater danger because of the volume of traffic and speed, pedestrians and cyclists should remain cautious and courteous on campus.
“We’ve been developing a culture that is bicycle friendly on campus,” Johnson said. “Cyclists should ring their bell or yell if they’re approaching someone from behind to alert them that they’re about to pass. And bikes should be walked – not ridden – in the covered walkways by Lovett Hall and similar buildings and on sidewalks marked with ‘no biking’ signs.”
Runners and walkers need to be extra cautious when crossing the entrances and exits around campus. Sometimes cars that have been waiting for a traffic light to change will rush through an exit, so pedestrians should make eye contact with drivers before crossing to reduce their chances of becoming a hood ornament.
If you’re involved in an accident or need to summon help for someone else, contact the Rice University Police Department and Rice Emergency Medical Service at 713-348-6000.
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There should be a pedestrian bridge across Main, period.
Another huge issue is the visibility of pedestrians, runners, and cyclists after dark. Even if the driver is driving slowly and alert to the likelihood of foot or cycle traffic, they are often _impossible_ to see, especially on the outer loop track or crossing Rice and Sunset Boulevard. My advice: if your survival depends on drivers seeing you, wear or use a bright light. Better yet, regardless of right-of-way, do not put yourself in a position where you will be in danger if a driver doesn’t see you. Wait for the cars to pass before crossing. I’m scared almost every time I leave the campus after dark because people in the Rice community assume the pedestrian right-of-way privilege they have become accustomed to without realizing that the drivers won’t see them without some effort on their part.
A few years ago on the way back from Human Resources I waited for the “walk” light to cross Main Street. When the signal turned, I was about to dash across the street in the crosswalk. But instincts warned me to turn around. Sure enough, a motorist busily chatting on her cell phone ignored her red light and went right across my intended path, just a couple feet in front of me. Since then, “Human Resources” has symbolized death to me. Rice should move Human Resources and the business offices back on campus, where they belong. I strongly recommend crossing Main Street at intersections without a traffic signal. Then you take responsibility for your own safety.
No reminder for cars to be cautious and courteous to cyclists and pedestrians? This article is offensive to those who have lost their lives in that it somehow insinuates that if they were cautious and courteous they may still be here…
A cyclist is as thin as a pencil to a motorist (hold a pencil in front of you) in a moving vehicle. Following the rules of the road, wearing white or bright clothing (day) and lights and reflectors at night, and riding predictably help share the road. Eye contact is key. The League of American Bicyclists has smart tips at: https://www.bikeleague.org/ridesmart