This will be a very difficult issue for many reasons, from the structural to the psychological. I was cut off by a car, resulting in a collision, while cycling on Thames street. The driver was so fixated on looking for a parking spot he literally did not see me, even though I was ahead of him on the road. Our relationship to our cars, as much as the configuration of the roads, creates issues, and this will not be fixed by a couple of local workshops! But, nonetheless, best wishes...we need to try to figure this out.

where on W. Main did that occur? I've seen bikers riding on crowded areas of that road between 0ne mile corner and KFC, all of which has empty sidewalk for safe riding. I would not ride along there on the road- death wish. Bikers must drive defensively and keenly sharpen their senses, and stick to the very outside edge of the road to make it almost impossible to be hit- and even then are easy targets for stupid drivers, who are out there in droves. Luckily, I have never been hit or "doored" yet.

It was just reported on WRNI public radio that the driver had a blood alcohol level of .251, more than 3x the legal limit.

I came close to hitting a cyclist the other night because the person was nearly invisible. The clothing was black and there were no reflectors or lights on the person or bike. I see this so far too often and it's very frightening.

who had the blood alcohol level? the bicyclist or the driver??
i arrived going southbound on main street and saw a bicycle in the middle of the north bound lane and did not see the man lying in a fetal position against the curb. although there were some people around and some cars one could not discern whether he was hit or fell of the bike.
i was shocked when we called the police that no one had called 911 until we did.
after that the police came relatively quick but what is so frustrating that the dispatcher or 911 person always asks a million questions before they seemingly pass on the emergency. i am surprised that they think it is more important to ask a lot of questions like the phone # ( i thought 911 immediately gets the number - at least in other states that are more advanced they do) and then our name etc.
i thought the most important thing is to get help to the scene and then ask questions.
i hope he is alright but it would be helpful in the article if the was hit and who was drunk?

there are so many people killed because of drinking and driving why does biden and obama not call a special counsel for that, or is 15000 people a year not enough??
the other problem rhode island has as opposed to other states is the street lighting in this state is almost criminal and helps facilitate pedestrian and bicycle accidents.
although this bicyclist had a red light flashing even while the bicycle was laying in the street.

continuing on the street lights in this state and county. they are horrible.
intersections are not properly light and the few light they have are like on brown out condition. no wonder there are so many accidents. the yellow lousy lighting causes more shadows and does not contribute to the safety of bicycles or pedestrians.

no wonder this state is in bad shape, you have more politicians running around than states with 10 times the population.
cut their salaries and cut the numbers. make them earn a living.

I just want to point out the fact, that a lot of cyclists are careless and they act like it's not theirs, but other people's job to make sure that they're safe. I deliver pizza for a living, so I drive a lot. And cyclists are a pain. Some cyclists are, of course, careful and have respect for the others on the road, but mostly they just act like they're alone and they can do whatever they want. And, of course, if something happens, it's automatically driver's fault. I don't think it's fair. If you ride a bicycle, please be careful, make sure to stay to the side of the road, and realize that you're responsible for your safety, not other people.

11:30 PM on a bike on West Main? Brass balloons in action.

Read the Middletown Patch version. The problem is freaking DRUNK DRIVERS - and our pathetic (lack of) laws about drunk driving.

Around 11:32 Friday night, 36-year-old Eddy Gomez of Newport was hit by an alleged drunk driver while riding his bicycle on West Main Road. He was taken to the Newport Hospital and then to the Rhode Island Hospital. His condition is not known at this time, but his injuries were considered major.

The driver, Jacob Voelz, 32, of 969 West Main Road, Middletown was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated that involve bodily harm, a felony.

Police said when they arrived on-scene on West Main Road near Applebees, the victim was conscious but was bleeding from his mouth and unable to respond. There was a large dent on the passenger side of the vehicle's hood and the front windshield was severely cracked, said police.

A witness said Volez’s car collided with the bicycle, causing it to launch in the air. Several witnesses told police that Voelz appeared to be intoxicated.

Police said when they spoke to Voelz he panicked, could not provide his town, was confused and incoherent. He allegedly told police he had four beers in Newport after work. Police arrested him and brought him to the station where he agreed to a chemical test. He registered a blood alcohol content of .251 and .252. Police said he still was incoherent and asked “where he got pulled over.”

It should be easy. If you're on a bike, yield to the 4000 pound vehicle. Don't bring a paper air plane to a gun fight if you can't handle the circumstances. I will not risk a collision especially with my kids in the car to guess where a "cyclist" is turning next. If my blinker is on and I'm turning then slow your 25lbs bike because I'm obviously turning. The "kids" on skate boards have been far more respectful and responsible on the roads than the cult of cyclists.

A drunk driver is obviously at fault. But, I wish bicyclists and Bike Newport would admit that bike riders take terrible risks. They wear dark clothes at night while drivers just hope they have reflectors. They go through 4 way intersections without stopping. They ride wearing headphones. I've even seen people texting while riding. They ride the wrong way up one way streets. They do not wear helmets. All of this is scary for drivers....and we would most likely be the ones at fault

I live on Gibbs Ave. and can see Gibbs &Bliss . I have yet to see a bike stop at that corner no matter what direction they are coming from.There are 4stop signs but they might as well be invisible. The thing is a lot of cars do not stop either.I do hope I ' m not sitting outside when the accident does happen.Bad enough seeing the numerous car accidents over the years I pray there is not a bike verses car. Unfortunately the bike rider always loses. I wish both would just follow the rules all ready in place.
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Florence you are absolutely right! Also East and West main roads are not wide enough for bikes! If you come around a corner up on a cyclist say near glen farm and have to pass him it is so dangerous. Having to swerve into the other lain to pass them. As mrs. Jackson said before none of the cyclists follow the rules of the road. Drive down lower Thames and you always have a bike coming at you the wrong way.

Not sure if you noticed all the spanish ppl riding bikes around town. Ive found out from police and resturant owners that they are mostly ilegal imagrants who cant get licences to drive a car. Thierfore they dont know the rules of the roads.... just adds to the problem

I know this incident involves a drunk driver but I also think using a mobile phone without a hands free kit whilst driving is also dangerous. Anything that takes your attention away from the road should be banned. I have been shocked by the lack of road safety in this state. Thoughts go to the cyclist and his family.

Cars are always cars on the road. Bikes choose when to be vehicals. They ride across cross walks and on side walks. They ride against traffic, up and down one way streets and through stop signs and red lights. They text, carry things in their hands and talk on the phone. This horrible accident will only bring out the line painting machine once again. The more signs that get installed and the more crap that gets painted on the street will only add to the many distractions that drivers already have to deal with. The bikes will ride where they want regardless of how many bike lanes replace real auto lanes. How many more people need to get hurt before we realize that the bike friendly converted roads are the cause not the solution.

It's amazing to me the level of "concern" exhibited about the bad behavior of cyclists yet there is little outrage when motorists do the same things. The behaviors are often the same on both sides. Take a look around and you see both user groups have many of the same flaws people in their campaign against the bicycle love to attribute to cyclists. Running redlights, rolling stop signs, texting (I bet that's rampant among cyclists...), talking on the phone, etc. While it isn't the point of my post, I know which one scares me more when I'm in my car. It was someone on a bicycle that was hit by this drunk but really it could have been another motorist or pedestrian just as easily. Would a head on car on car collision have been better? Could we then talk about the real problem? This incident should be a reminder that a car piloted by a drunk or distracted driver can kill. As ever, maybe more then ever, there are bad road users. They can be walking, riding a bike, or driving. Yet here we are, all worked up about bicycles... It might be better to wonder why the police are so lax in enforcing the issues we see every day by ALL users on the roads. Driving, cycling, or walking on a road is a shared responsibility, a game of trust. It's why the rules of the road work, and they work quite well. You do things based on the assumption your fellow road users are operating on the same principles. It quickly goes bad when any road user chooses to abandon them.

The drunk driver was absolutely wrong for driving but we do have a major problem with lawless bike riders in this town. Im kind of surprised thier arnt more fatalities. I almost killed one today when i was on spring st. and a bike rider came flying down bull right out infront of me. I laid on the horn and the jackass flipped me off....... Like i did something wrong! Geesh...

I have been run over by cars in Newport TWICE on my bike - but I will admit that I was not following the rules of the road either. Now I am extremely vigilant and follow every rule. Both times I was going up the wrong side of the road - so yes I can't entirely blame them but they both pulled out without looking and plowed me over. I was very lucky not to have been killed by the Range Rover and it ran over me and my head slammed into the pavement. It was a valet at the Chandler who looked about 16 years old. he never looked once and I couldn't get out of the way just had to brace for the impact and scream hoping he'd stop.

I agree with the statement that cars are also at fault. But remember who is bigger. I would choose to be hit by a bike rather than a car any day.If I saw a car coming at me I don' t think I would be thinking who has the right of way my first thought besides oh s...
would be self preservation.