By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
Typically, a car parked on a road shoulder is not necessarily a hazard. But traffic safety is all about context and setting and cars on road shoulders are a problem for bicyclists along busy Nevada state route 159 outside suburban Summerlin leading to and in Red Rock Canyon, serving as a potential danger for cyclists, runners and walkers.
Today was a painful example. This Saturday morning around 7 a.m., a motorist driving a car with Utah license plates pulled over on 159 just outside the last subdivision in Summerlin and a bicyclist slammed into the back of the vehicle. She said she parked her car on the shoulder even though bicyclists use the shoulder for safe passage because she had a work call she had to answer and cell phone coverage would be lost in Red Rock Canyon.
Instead of pulling onto the dirt along the paved shoulder or into a dirt parking lot across the street by the flood retention basin and just off the pavement along this busy corridor used by hundreds of bicyclists Saturday mornings, the driver parked her car in the middle of the shoulder.
The injured bicyclist was a gentleman named David and his face was split open, with skin peeled back near his nose and a crimson mess covering his face. Emergency personnel worked on him and transported him. He was dazed, but knew his name. He asked over and over, “What happened?”
Here’s what happening. The fact is 159 has become a busy recreational corridor through Red Rock Canyon, running east-west from rapidly-growing Summerlin to State Route 160, or Blue Diamond Road. Like I said, hundreds of bicyclists use the road shoulder as their safe haven because people drive their vehicles 50 mph-70 mph along this state road.
I see it all the time. Motorists parking their cars on the paved shoulders of 159, forcing bicyclists to enter the traffic lanes where people are driving their motorized vehicles in that 60 mph range.
David crashed his bike into this parked car.
But this parking area was right across the road where is the motorist could have used to park and talk on her cell phone.
This is how you do it, motorists:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more people are coming to Red Rock Canyon. There is more car traffic along 159.
And a danger zone for bicyclists on 159 is the cars parked on the shoulder pavement across from the horseback riding area about a half-mile from the Red Rock overlook lot.
I’m imploring motorists to park their cars off the shoulder pavement in dirt areas where there is plenty of space.
I’m also urging bicyclists to heighten their awareness as they bike along this scenic corridor. It’s easy to zone out and day dream, even looking down while you’re bicycling. But with all the extra cars and fast-moving vehicles along 159, it’s paramount to be extra alert and look for hazards like cars parked on the shoulders.
Follow LVSportsBiz on Twitter and Instagram. Like LVSportsBiz.com on Facebook.