Bicyclist ID'd following deadly crash with MUNI bus
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - The bicyclist killed in a crash with a MUNI Sunday on Market Street has been identified.
According to the San Francisco Medical Examiner's Office the bicyclist has been identified as 47-year-old Mark Heryer of Berkeley.
The crash occurred Sunday at about 3:30 p.m.
"It's a tragic situation, someone did die at the scene today, " Paul Rose of SF MUNI told KTVU at the intersection of Market and 1st Street, a few blocks from the Ferry Building.
Investigation said he was not in either of two marked bike lanes, but riding in the middle of Market Street, between two MUNI buses.
"It's never safe to ride a bike along the trackway or between two vehicles, " said Rose, noting that initially it appeared the cyclist was jostled or pinned between the two buses, but in fact fell from his bike when his wheel became stuck.
"My understanding from the investigation is that the bike wheel was caught in the center trackway," explained Rose, "and he fell under the MUNI vehicle."
There are two lanes marked with "share-ows" indicating cars and bikes are both welcome, but the cyclist chose the median where the street cars run.
"You have to make these calls for yourself, " observed cyclist Sam Hiken, who has seen others thread the center of the road because they want to avoid cars turning, car doors opening, or people stepping off the curb.
"If you do that you better know where buses are, where they're turning, and where they're going," he cautioned, "plus what traffic is ahead and behind. You've got to be aware at all times in every direction."
Cyclists and pedestrians who stopped at the closed section of street, said they were saddened, but not surprised, by the fatal collision because of how congested the area is.
"Market Street is very dangerous," noted cyclist Cleofe Morales, "and it's very sad to see a biker, especially since just last week, I also fell on Market Street."
Passengers on the bus were evacuated to another coach, and quizzed about what they saw.
"Bicyclists are supposed to travel in the bike lane, "reminded SFPD Officer Grace Gatpandan at the scene.
"We have video from the coaches, and from businesses since it's an extremely busy area," she went on, "and we'll look at witness statements, videos, and talk to anyone who was on the bus
The MUNI driver has about a year on the job.
He was screened for drugs and alcohol, as is standard protocol.
It's the transit agency's second fatality this year, but overall for the city, there have been 23 traffic deaths in 2015.