Albert Arnott - Cross Country Bicyclist Killed Near Mocksville
As reported by the Winston-Salem Journal:
The recumbent tricycle that Albert Arnott rode across the country gave him the mobility that his legs could no longer provide.
On Saturday, Arnott, 59, was struck from behind while riding that bike on U.S. 601, about three miles north of Mocksville. He died at the scene, Sgt. Eric Hoffman of the N.C. Highway Patrol said yesterday.
Arnott had already ridden from Los Angeles to New York and was on his way back to his home in Phoenix, Ariz.
Twenty years ago, Arnott was injured while working as a landscaper in Pennsylvania, according to an article in The Times Leader, a newspaper in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Arnott was in a full-body cast for two years and used a wheelchair to get around, according to the article.
But he could still ride his tricycle, which sat low to the ground and provided him with stability.
Recumbent bikes allow riders to sit in a reclined position with the pedals out in front of them.
Jeffrey Miller, the president of the Alliance for Walking and Biking, in Washington, said people choose recumbent bikes for comfort.
“Some ride them for better viewing. You’re in a more inclined position to see the world rather than having to crane your neck,” said Miller, whose organization is a coalition of state walking and bicycling advocacy groups.
Last year, Bruce Hermann was seriously injured when he was struck by a car while riding his recumbent bike on Country Club Road.
Hermann owns a shop, Neighborhood Transportation, that specializes in recumbent bikes.
He said that, contrary to what some people might think, recumbent tricycles are often more visible to drivers than other styles of bicycles.
“To a motorist, they look really wide. When a car approaches from the rear, they usually give you a lot more room, whereas on a regular bike, they think that you are as wide as the tire,” Hermann said.
The tricycles’ unusual look also grabs the attention of motorists, he said.
But that was not the case for Arnott.
The man driving the truck, Justin Mark Keaton, 30, of Mocksville, told a trooper with the N.C. State Highway Patrol that he did not see Arnott.
No charges have yet been filed, Hoffman said.
Arnott embarked on the cross-country trip from Los Angeles to New York last year, as part of a campaign for congressional term limits, according to The Times Leader article.
Arnott is the second cyclist to be killed in the area in the past nine days.
On July 23, Donald Sunday died when he was hit from behind while riding a traditional bicycle on Trinity Church Road in King.
Miller said it is not the responsibility of cyclists to wear bright colors or sport flags on their bikes to make themselves stand out during the daytime.
“I think a lot of us make sure we are seen, but it is absolutely not the fault of a bicyclist what colors they’re wearing or whether they’re wearing a flag or wearing a helmet. Those are personal decisions,” he said.
Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of this courageous man, who even after facing serious injury pursued his love of cycling. Arnott’s tragic and unexpected death serves as a chilling reminder to drivers: be cautious of cyclists on the roads.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports alarmingly high numbers of pedalcylclist deaths and injuries. Pedalcyclists include “bicycles…riders of two-wheel non-motorized vehicles, tricycles, and unicycles powered solely by pedals.”
The NHTSA reports that in 2008, 716 pedalcyclists lost their lives and approximately 52,000 suffered injuries due to traffic accidents. Closer to home, in North Carolina 32 pedalcyclists lost their lives in traffic accidents in 2008. The Winston-Salem Journal reports that Arnott was “the second cyclist to be killed in the area in the past nine days.”
Our firm believes these statistics are way too high. The number of cyclist injuries and fatalities could be significantly reduced by simply practicing safe driving tips, like staying alert, watching out for cyclists and or pedestrians and remembering to share the road. Cyclists too can do their part by using protective gear and wearing bright colors or reflectors to help drivers see them better.
If you have been injured in a bicycle wreck, call the North Carolina bicycle wreck lawyers at Hendren and Malone.
I feel horrible for the rider of this bike and his family. The truth is that it is the responsibility of the rider to make himself seen. There are far more vehicles on the roads than there are bikes. Common sense tells you to make yourself visible and maybe make better choices. Highway 601 is a very busy highway with lots of traffic and big rig trucks traveling and making deliveries.This tradgedy should teach us all a lesson.
Brandy:
Thank you for your thoughts. While it may seem unclear as to who was at fault in this wreck, under North Carolina law a bicycle rider is entitled to the same use of the highways as any motorized vehicle. Indeed, given our over-dependence on oil, bicycle riding should be encouraged and we should strive to find ways to make the roads safe for all users.
Mike Malone