I was one of many that called this in and sincerely hope that this ends well... I've been wondering all day one the cyclist's condition and have said a prayer for him. I can't see how this is the drivers fault as her car was in the far left lane and the cyclist was laying in the center lane. There also isn't a crosswalk at this location.

Either way I hope it turns out ok for all those involved.

Tom, whether there was a crosswalk there hardly matters in determining fault - this was an accident between a car and a bicycle, not a car and a pedestrian. When bicyclists are on the road, they are considered vehicles, so the biggest determiner in who was at fault would be whether the bicyclist was moving in an erratic, unpredictable manner. Please note that I am NOT trying to place the blame on the driver; I don't know what happened any more than you do. But the lack of a crosswalk has nothing to do with fault in this case.

MV voice: please update this story.
I too am hoping for best possible outcome for all involved.

Was the bicyclist wearing a helmet?

Was the driver talking on a cell phone?

Thank you, MV Voice, for the update & I will appreciate if you keep up posted.

Hoping & Praying for both the rider & the driver.
Sad accident, indeed.

I ride my neighborhood a lot. I am glad to see so much good driving on the part of most vehicle operators and cyclists. I will also appreciate the continued conscientious behavior on the part of all. Thanks for everyone's help to keep our neighborhood as safe as possible.

Yes, good questions above as to helmet and to texting.

Continued prayers!

I ride my bicycle everywhere and when I came across this accident I was stunned. The bicycle lay in the middle of the roadway with multiple police officers involved in the investigation. The rider had already been transported to the hospital and traffic was backed up for nearly a mile on El Camino southbound. I hope the bicyclist recovers completely although sixty-six is not an easy age to recover after a serious injury.

That being said I am surprised that we do not have scores of similar accidents in Mountain View / Sunnyvale as many bicycle riders behave very badly and ride in the dark without any lightning whatsoever - even reflectors. Moving like stealth shadows through the night they are extremely difficult to see even under the best of circumstances. Old Mountain View neighborhood can be particularly bad in this regard.

But Sunnyvale and Mountain View are normally bicycle friendly communities with drivers paying attention to us, as long as we behave like vehicles - which we are (vehicles).

It's true that cyclists can be hard to see at night, especially without reflectors or headlights. However, this accident took place just after 9 AM, so darkness wouldn't seem to be a factor.

I wish that every time there was a bike/car accident, everyone's concern wasn't with who's fault it was, as if that would provide some sort of "Ah-HAAAA!" moment of which to validate people's biased opinions over cyclists or drivers
.
Who's ever fault it was, was at fault for THIS ACCIDENT ONLY and this accident serves as no measuring stick to hold up to anyone else in order to validate any personal biases.

Anytime there's a collision between a bicycle and a car, guess which one is going to win? Car drivers aren't watching for bicycles. Just trying to keep up with the flow of traffic, lane changers, traffic lights, lit signs, plus the millions of other little nits we come across is daunting enough. So when a bicyclist puts himself out there, it really is his responsibility to be extra diligent and maybe not be so aggressive as to think he/she's actually driving a car or truck. The law says the bicycle is a moving vehicle, but I say hey how about lining up with pedestrians who cross at sidewalks. Safety first, you know? No offense to you bicyclists reading this. My concern in this sad case is for the driver of the car who now has this horrible event hanging over her the rest of her life. I think that's a terrible ordeal, no matter whose fault it is. And wishes for a speedy recovery to the bicyclist, too.

I cannot count the number of times I've seen bicyclists put themselves at risk by not following the rules for vehicular traffic. For example: failure to come to a full stop at a stop sign; cutting across cross walks; failing to correctly yield to traffic; and improper illumination at night just to name a few

I don't mean to imply that all cyclists behave this way, and in fact many do follow the rules of the road; however, the number that do not is not a trivial one

Cyclists are not obeying the rules of the road. They dart in and out of cars with little regard for safety or following the rules of the road. I've seen a cyclist almost run over pedestrians with out a care. And as well, I've seen pedestrians with a sense of entitlement in just walking in front of cars just as they are turning, expecting them to be able to stop on a dime, just because they are in the sidewalk. If the police would monitor and hand out more tickets for jaywalking and controlling the actions of the rude cyclists, it would cut down on all accidents between cyclists, motorists, and pedestrians.

Law enforcment would help. Imagine what would happen if cyclists were cited whenever they rolled through a stop sign or red light. Or even how about all the automobiles that ran stop signs, red lights, failed to signal,were speeding, etc. Try driving past a school when parents are lined up to pick up students. How about pedestrians that look you in the eye then step out into your lane?

Why do bicyclists always ride so far to the right of the lane? They would be much safer staying in the middle of the lane, which is the "rule of the road" for vehicles. Riding off to the right makes the bicycles harder to see and encourages cars to run them off the road. If bicycles obeyed the normal rule of the road and used the middle of the lane, then car drivers would give them the same courtesy that they give other car drivers and change lanes to go around them.

MV Voice Please continue to update this story with cyclist's condition and details.

Sometimes the glare of morning sun also makes visibility difficult so I agree with other comments that every accident is unique and not necessarily generalizable. Regardless, increasing safe habits, awareness and respect on the sides of both cyclists and drivers is a good thing. There are seemingly fearless or reckless cyclists who scare me when I am in a car and impatient, distracted drivers that scare me when I am on my bike. But no one wants to be in an accident on either side. I continue to hope for the best possible outcome for all involved and especially a quick recovery for the injured cyclist.

A bicyclist scared me half to death the other day. I approached the intersection really slow just in case he didn't stop, and he went right through the stop sign. I don't know how common this is, but it was really really scary.

Dang, I was hoping for an update on this article. I passed the scene of the accident just after 9 on Tuesday while the rider was laying on the pavement just after police got there, but before paramedics has arrived. I didn't see a helmet on the rider and there was a pool of blood around his head. I too said a quick prayer and have been wondering how he has fared.

Fault doesn't really matter here ... this is tragic for both the car driver and the bicycle rider. I'm sure both made mistakes and will be blaming themselves for the rest of their lives.

Why doesn't the Mountain View Voice provide any updates on the condition of the victim?

At 9am an eastbound motorist is facing a rising sun.

I stopped riding any distance on El Camino when it was widened years ago. My ride was longer but safer.

I also learned to "ride as if you are invisible" as you often are.

Can we please have an update?

The bike rider is my brother Henry. He is in critical condition @ Stanford Hospital. He isn't doing well. His condition isn't helped by his pre-existing heart condition...

I don't know any more details of the accident than the rest of you. I thank you for your concern and well wishes. I will relay the good thoughts to him. I don't know if he'll hear them, but I'd like to think so.

Thank you Linda for the information. I will continue to think good thoughts for your brother's recovery. I hope the spirit of the season helps bring him back to health. Play some music he likes for him. Music reaches us all in inexplicable ways.. Best wishes to you and your family at this difficult time.

Thank you so much, Linda, for the update. Continued best wishes for you and your family - especially your brother, Henry. Tell him this fellow rider is rooting for him! And, our fellow neighbor's suggestion of music sounds particularly appropriate. Best, Ray

Any update? I truly hope his condition has improved.

Although still in intensive care Henry has been up and did some walking. Visitors are allowed but must wear a gown. Steve G. to visit today. May have further update later. Henry is said to have good days and not so good days. That is to be expected.

Thank you Joan for the update. It sounds like he is making good, even if slow progress and gaining strength. I will continue to think good thoughts for his continued recovery.

MV-voice any updates to this story? How the accident happened? The cyclists recovery?

My thoughts go out to you Linda. And Oh Henry! I hope you have since recovered.

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