Defensive, patient riding key to safety

It was every cyclist’s worst nightmare.

On June 8, Steve Norwick, 68, a Sonoma State University professor and experienced cyclist, was riding south on Petaluma Hill Road. He rode on the right shoulder of the road and wore a helmet. It was daylight, the weather was clear and the visibility was good.

No mistakes.

And yet, Norwick was struck from behind and fatally injured by a hit-and-run driver. Norwick died June 19 without ever awaking from a coma.

The tragedy made front-page news, sent a shock through the cycling community and raised the profile on the ongoing issue of cyclists and motorists sharing the road, already somewhat sensitive.

“The type of crash that Steve Norwick was in, being hit from behind, is the type of crash that most bicycle riders fear the most, and with good reason. It’s the most potentially fatal type of crash,” said Sandra Lupien of the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition.

“It’s also the rarest,” she said. “It’s so unusual, and so tragic, when it occurs.”

The CHP, which tracks accident statistics for the unincorporated areas of Sonoma County, reports about 2,500 motor vehicle accidents every year, from fender-benders to fatalities.

So far this year, 17 of those accidents have involved cyclists, and last year the total was 36, said CHP Public Information Officer Jon Sloat.

There were two previous local cycling deaths this year, both in May, and in both cases, the cyclists made serious mistakes, Sloat said.

On May 24, August Bissiri, 85, of Laguna Woods Village in Orange County was struck and killed by a car while riding his bicycle on Highway 1 near Bodega Bay. Reports indicate Bissiri crossed into the opposing lane of traffic, Sloat said.

On May 31, David Lemuel Standley, 34, of Cotati died after his bike crashed head-on into an SUV in the dark on River Road near Forestville.

More recently, Brian Laurie, 68, of Sonoma, was fatally injured June 21 in Sonoma when he attempted a left turn and was struck by a truck on Eighth Street East south of Denmark Road, the CHP reported.