2:13 PM: Avoid Fauntleroy Way near the ferry dock for a while – Seattle Fire medics are tending to an injured bicyclist in the southbound lane just north of the dock. Though it was initially reported as a collision, police subsequently told dispatch “this is medical, NOT a collision.”
2:56 PM: The call is closed, so the street should be clear.
Glad it wasn’t a collision but would not have been surprised if the biker had been hit. I came through there going north a couple hours ago and between the dock and the end of the park counted three UTurns, two turning south and one going north.
I was the driver he crashed into from behind. I was the one that got out and called 911. I asked him what happened and he said he hit an edge in the road, which there is an edge on the outside of the lane about a foot from the ferry lane. We need better roads for our cyclists with the taxes we pay. He couldn’t move his shoulder. Cars we honking because they wanted by and he was laying half in the ferry lane and half in the road. I wish people had more patience to allow somebody to get help when they’re so hurt.
I’m sorry that this happened to you and the bicyclist. Thank you for calling 911. I frequently rode my bike along this stretch of road and can confirm that it has some dangerous cracks that make it difficult for bikes to maneuver. Even with my fat tire mountain bike, I have to pay close attention as I cross the crack while approaching the ferry line.
I’ve ridden that route many times and am very familiar with the crack that seems to have thrown this rider. It is a fairly wide crack between the concrete panels that runs exactly where bicyclists are inclined to align their tires (far enough out to not get doored, but not middle of the lane far). Combined with the downhill slope and associated higher speeds southbound it is a recipe for accidents like this. Hope the rider is ok, and the city that wants to increase bike commuters by something like 10x addresses this.
Thank you for calling 911.
If you approach the ferry dock from the south & you are unfamiliar with the line up to board, it can be confusing. With the high span out, I am seeing more “lost” drivers & heads buried looking for direction. A good dose of impatience is making for some truly crazy driving. Just try explaining to a non-resident how to get from downtown or the airport to the ferry dock. Yikes!
Any update on their injuries and if they’re okay? Hope it’s not serious! There are some hazards biking on that stretch, including a gap along the roadway in which a narrow tire could get caught and possibly throw a cyclist from their bike.
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