DOG HAZARD
Many bikers are bitten and/or harassed by dogs. Below what you should do.
In any bite case, get a police report detailing the bite. (At the appropriate time, tell your health care provider about the situation and they will decide whether or not to subrogate against the pet owner; of course, it makes it a lot easier if there is a police report involved.)
Any time you have a run in with dogs or a harassing motorist, call the Sumner County Sheriff Office (SCSO) and get the incident "on record." With enough complaints, the SCSO has an easier job of enforcing the law.
Call the SCSO main number at 452-2616. You have to wait on the line for dispatch to answer. The Animal Control officer is a SCSO officer also, so the SCSO will contact/send him for you (on the road) if you call and have actually been bitten or feel the dog is a threat (always call if it's a pit bull on the loose whether he bites you or not/also call if there are multiple dogs).
If bite breaks the skin, call animal control so the dog can be quarantined for rabies control (particularly out in the rural areas where dogs are less likely to be up to date on their shots and have more exposure to rabies).
Don't ever let a pet owner tell you there is no leash law; the leash law is county-wide.
Serious Injury in need of medical attention - Call 911
Sumner County Sheriff
452-2616
Please report problems to FOGBEES so we can compile and publish incidents.
Bug Hollow Problem
If everyone who encountered this guy and his dogs had reported the problems to SCSO, there would have been at least three incident reports (that we know of, there could be more), which would show the authorities that he is truly a nuisance; instead, there is only one report (Frank Bowyer IV) and the guy will have to harass, possibly injure, several more people before the SCSO can have enough ammo to actually do anything to or about this guy and his dogs.
Hunter's Lane Problem
We have had a dog-bite-biker incident (with Sheriff report) on Hunter's Lane near the corner of Sandy Valley and Brinkley Branch. The dogs in this area are loose and very aggressive. We have had several incidents where they have chased groups of bikers for nearly a mile. Since there are a lot of better routes in this immediate area, we recommend all bikers stay off Hunter's Lane.
Cummings Road
On 5/14/09 6PM while surrounded by dog pack, Bruce Day called in a complaint to the Sheriff.
Corner of Brinkley Branch & Weeping Willow
Large dogs frequently loose chase cyclists. If harassed, call the Sheriff
ROAD HAZARDS
Please share details of any road hazards in Sumner & Robertson Counties.
- Location of Hazard
- Description
- Photos
- Actions to Mitigate
- Current Status
Please report problems to FOGBEES@gmail.com so we can compile and publish for benefit of cycling community
Sumner County
Robertson County
AGRESSIVE MOTORISTS
Our objective with this page is help improve the cycling experience by identifying and codifying opportunities for improvement of facilities and sharing ideas with responsible officials. Please help.
TORT LIABILITY and SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY
Tort claims against highway agencies have steadily risen since the early 1970's, when the AASHTO first began surveying States for information about tort liability claims. This is partly due to the trend of no longer allowing design immunity (sovereign immunity) for highway agencies in almost all States. There is evidence to believe that the majority of these cases involve allegations of faulty traffic control devices or maintenance. Even though the number of cases alleging design defects is relatively small in comparison, tort liability is still a real concern for highway engineers.
Tort is a legal term that refers to a civil wrong that has been committed, in this case by highway agencies. Negligence is a term used to refer to a classification of tort in which the injury is not intentional, but where there was failure to use due care in the treatment of others compared to what a "reasonable man" would have done. Liability is the responsibility to make restitution to the damaged party through an action or payment determined by the court. Finally, States protected with sovereign immunity for design cannot be sued for decisions regarding design. (Sovereign immunity is now only in existence in a handful of States. Also unlike a state, a county or municipality can't claim sovereign immunity even if they share some of the state's Constitutionally defined power.)
The AASHTO Green Book, other State adopted highway standards, Federal and State regulations and guidelines, and research publications issued by the Transportation Research Board are often used in tort cases to educate the jury about the standard level of practice for design. In addition, expert witnesses are used, who in turn rely on written text to explain the accepted standard practices for design to the jury.
Upper Station Camp Rd, 3/28/09 - 12:30P (approx)
Cyclist: Fogbees - Mike Poole, Ken Johnson, Dr. Bruce Day, Leslie and Brian Kortness
We were all 5 riding single file along Upper Station Camp Road when a gray truck, probably a Silverado, with tag 877 MGD or 877 MDG, passed us at about 1 foot distance. Brian and others behind me yelled, then the truck stopped in front of us. It was a man about 60ish driving and the others say a woman was with him. Basically the guy seemed to inquire why people yelled and Brian explained that there is a law requiring 3 feet to pass bicyclists. I think he got the idea that he'd come close to hitting someone.
Conditions: dry roadway, sunny and traffic was very low (normal for Upper Station Camp). I don't think the guy had been behind us very long and NO other vehicles were behind him.
Gray Truck,(Silverado?)
Tag: 877 MGD or 877 MDG
Driver: 60 yr old man
Violation: State Law: 55-8-175(c) - 3-Ft Law
Filed Police Complaint: No
DESCRIPTION OF THE INCIDENT
VEHICLE
Saudersville Rd, Mid February: around 4 pm
Cyclist: Bruce Day
While I was cycling south on Saundersville Road a school bus passed me with no more than a twelve inch clearance. The bus then turned into the Wynbrooke Subdivision. I was just past the Golden home and on the bit of a shoulder at that section. Several other cars had passed me and all had given me at least six feet of clearance and most moved completely into the left lane since there was no oncoming traffic.
SR 25 Southbound between Cummings & Liberty, Mid March: around 3:30 pm
Cyclist: Bruce Day
I was riding white line as there is no more than 6 inches shoulder in most places. Most traffic moved over and gave more thatn three feet. A Sument School bus passed, didn't slow and did not move over enough for it's left wheels to cross ceter lines. Not sure if there was any oncoming traffic. I had not noticed. There was a line of traffic behind the school bus and the first vehicle after the bus also brushed me but probably because the school bus kept it from seeing me. The next car and all after gave me plenty of room.
Bruce, Please do write the letter to the SCBoE about the bus drivers. And everybody else that’s had a close call with one of these drivers, I would urge you to write also. It’s happened to me more than once. When I wrote them, I got a polite “we’ll let the drivers know” brush off response, and I’ve yet to see the drivers be any less aggressive. Maybe, with enough complaints they might be forced to recognize the problem and realize that inaction on their part may compound their liability should a rider get injured – especially since they will be unable to deny having adequate warning.
Tommy Tucker, Jr
March 7, 2009 4:26 PM
Cages Bend, Northbound near Gallatin
Cyclist: Bob Glutting
Teenage drivers in pickup truck violate 3-foot law
Sumner Co Schoolbus
Tag: Wynbrooke Sub-div
Driver: Unknown
Violation: State Law: 55-8-175(c) - 3-Ft Law
Filed Police Complaint: No
Sumner Co Schoolbus
Tag: Sument
Driver: Unknown
Violation: State Law: 55-8-175(c) - 3-Ft Law
Filed Police Complaint: No
Filed Complaint: 3/9/09 - Sumner County Board of Eduction Click Here
Sumner Co Schoolbus
Tag: Misc
Driver: Unknown
Violation: State Law: 55-8-175(c) - 3-Ft Law
Filed Police Complaint: No
Upper Station Camp Rd, 4/18/09 - AM
Cyclist: Fogbees - David Miley, Mike Knake
We were outbound on Upper Station Camp this morning, single file and to the right no less, when the driver of dually pickup slowed while passing with clear visibility and no oncoming traffic and proceeded to crowd us to the edge of the road, to the point where I hit the brakes to get clear. Not pleased, I then moved into his rear view, held out not one but 3 fingers and yelled "3 feet"; to which he broke again, stuck his head out, and yelled "get off the road." Having to get the last road, I retorted "PUBLIC Road." I admit I did appreciate him presenting identification: 654PVM.
This being about the 3rd such encounter in recent weeks, I had to call it in. I was put in touch with Deputy or Inspector (I'm not sure which) Travis, who I'm glad to say was concientious and did not minimize what happened. Granted, the coversation started with him questioning whether I was riding in a lawful manner, citing laws pertaining to cyclist's responsibilities. Having placed the call from home with the traffic law page of the FOGBEE website in front of me, I was able to clarify that a cyclist is to be as far right as "practicable", not "possible", and to cite the code number of the 3' law. After he explained my options and I expressed my desire to just inform the driver of our right to the road and the law requiring 3' clearance, Deputy/Inspector Travis committed to filing a report and informing the driver. Not only that, he took about 15 minutes to discuss the challenges for cyclists and the need for educating motorists on the law. He even thanked me for educating him on a few details - Double Victory!
Pickup Truck
Tag: 654PVM
Driver: Man
Violation: State Law: 55-8-175(c) - 3-Ft Law
Filed Police Complaint: Yes
MORE LEGAL RIGHTS MEAN LESS FACILITIES
Fearing suits Cities halt marking roads for bike facilities. Click here to read Illinois issue.
UNTIL YOU CHOOSE TO DEFEND YOUR RIGHTS, YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS
Pickup Truck
Tag: 567TCB
Driver: 18 yr old man
Violation: State Law: 55-8-175(c) - 3-Ft Law
Filed Police Complaint: No
