Industry Veteran Andrew Bernstein Critically Injured in Boulder Hit and Run - Updated 7/31

Jul 31, 2019
by Daniel Sapp  
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(Updated 7/31 5:15 pm PST0
Andrew "Bernie" Bernstein was hit from behind by a vehicle and left with life-threatening injuries this past Saturday, July 20th. Bernstein was riding west on Arapahoe Road near Legion Park near Boulder, CO, around 4:30 pm, according to Gloria Liu, Bernstein's fiancee. Bernstein was riding by himself from Erie to Boulder, and the Colorado State Patrol is investigating.

According to Liu, there were no witnesses. A motorist saw Bernstein on the side of the road and called 911. He was taken to Boulder Community Health's Foothills Hospital but, due to the severity of his injuries, he was then airlifted to Denver Health.

Bernstein's Brother, Eric Bernstein, says that Bernie suffered severe internal injuries, multiple broken bones, and has been sedated since the crash. "Doctors have been trying to treat his internal injuries so they could get started on surgeries to repair his numerous fractures, including his vertebrae. He's stable enough for that, but by no means beyond the possibility of a life-threatening turn," said Eric.


Andrew Bernstein PC Trevor Raab


Bernstein has worked in the bike industry for years - as a journalist and in marketing at Bicycling Magazine, as a race promoter, and currently with bike PR firm True Communications. He's a mountain biker, track and road racer, and an incredibly kind and passionate individual. “He loves to ride his bike, and one of his passions was contributing to the cycling community,” Liu said. “Nothing makes him happier than to help other people, but now his life is altered and he is in an incredible amount of pain and suffering.”

As Bernstein is still undergoing the many surgeries to repair his broken body, investigators are working to piece together more information on the crash from the little info there is. Colorado State Patrol Trooper Gary Cutler said a piece of the suspect vehicle from the scene was traced back to a 2000 Dodge Ram van.

According to Bernie's brother Eric, his bike was snapped in half. “The severity of the crash makes it hard to believe the individual driving is not aware they hit someone,” Eric said. “It’s very upsetting to realize this person noticed and knew what they had done and left my brother to die on the side of the road.”

Liu said Bernie was wearing black shorts and a gray jersey. He was riding a red Canyon Aeroad bicycle similar to the one in the photo to the right.

Anyone who saw anything related to the crash is asked to call Colorado State Patrol at 303-289-4760.
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“If anybody saw anything or knows how we can find the driver responsible for this, it’s not going to make his injuries any better but it will go a long way to resolving the impact it could have on the rest of his life,” Liu said. “If the driver is reading this, I would just urge him or her to come forward. Do the right thing.”

Investigators with the Colorado State Patrol believe the vehicle involved is a third-generation (1994-2003) Dodge Cargo Van 2500 or 3500. The van is believed to be white or light grey in color. It has windows on the passenger side access door, but no windows on the driver side (other than the driver's window). There is most likely damage to the front passenger side light area. The below pictures are of the suspect vehicle

Anyone with any information related to the vehicle or crash is encouraged to call the Colorado State Patrol, Trooper Emery, at 303-239-4501, reference case #1D192958


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All of us at Pinkbike wish Andrew the very best in healing and recovery.

Regions in Article
Colorado, Boulder

Author Info:
danielsapp avatar

Member since Jan 18, 2007
476 articles

194 Comments
  • 181 17
 That's horrible. And now for my unpopular opinion: I'm the only one that can hurt me out on the trails. I'll stick to the mountain bike.

This stuff happens to road cyclists entirely too often. A friend's wife was killed. Two friends hit from behind and hurt really bad. Another friend paralyzed from the waist down.

Sorry, I'll stick to singletrack.

Wishing the best for Bernie.
  • 34 145
flag ReddyKilowatt (Jul 25, 2019 at 12:00) (Below Threshold)
 We say that now, but it seems that mountain biking is going through a popularity boom, and I fear there will be more and more on-trail collisions as trail usership increases.
  • 20 6
 What about that one guy who was run over by an Antilope !?

Nah I do agree with you and that's why I only use my road bike on a stand for winter times.
  • 87 2
 @ReddyKilowatt: I'd rather have a head on with another mtb at 15mph than take someone's truck up my rear at 70mph...
  • 62 0
 Its totally true - I think that's another reason there is a rise in popularity of gravel riding. You're still essentially road riding, but have less cars around you generally
  • 9 34
flag DONKEY-FELTCHER (Jul 25, 2019 at 13:02) (Below Threshold)
 Mtn lions, bears, rattlesnakes, moose, javelina
  • 16 1
 @connorjuliusjohnson: Drivers can't do highway speeds on gravel either.
  • 12 36
flag savage47 (Jul 25, 2019 at 14:35) (Below Threshold)
 @ReddyKilowatt: Been riding 30+ yrs. And have never collided with anyone. Just gotta be smart and watch. But I have heard of a few every year. I’ll take my chances on trial any day.
  • 37 6
 So true. I wrecked my motorcycle and my wife banned me to my mountain bikes.

Her words ring true "it takes a special type of stupid to ride a mountain bike, while every teen has a license."
  • 37 24
 @savage47: that’s like 60yr olds saying I smoked since I was 14 and no signs of cancer. People are hit by cars on roads regularly, everywhere, including fricking Sweden and Norway where you have low traffic, excellent roads and very respectful drivers. Road riding is a genuinely extreme sport, it is only the general populace that cannot grasp it, thinking that jumping of a set of three stairs is crazy. Some cyclists can be extremely stupid, like folks riding inthe middle of the lane or beside each other to be able to have a conversation, but plenty of smart folks get run over too.
  • 12 0
 I've always thought something similar. When people ask why I don't ride road bikes, I say on a mountain bike, I'm in control of the risk and how hard I crash, on a road bike, its up to someone else.
  • 6 1
 no lie, road biking in boulder might be one of the most dangerous things in the world to do. whether its broadsiding deer, bears, or getting mowed down by a semi (all these things have either happened to me or a few feet in front of me), there's definitely better ways to spend your time training.
  • 4 0
 @DONKEY-FELTCHER: I'll take it
  • 5 43
flag rivercitycycles (Jul 25, 2019 at 16:04) (Below Threshold)
 @MrkTrussell. What about getting clobbered by an Ebike or a dirt bike out on the trails. Risk is Risk
  • 32 1
 @rivercitycycles: I've only had 1 close call with a dirtbike but we were still feet apart, however I've been hit twice and had countless close calls with cars while biking up to campus while attending college.

To me road riding is not worth it, especially now considering all the dickheads on the road who play with their phones with driving.
  • 8 3
 Riding on the road these days is insane. My road riding is grabbing my XC bike, pumping the tires up to 40 PSI, locking out the suspension and hitting the sidewalks.
  • 3 2
 @DONKEY-FELTCHER:
Go feltch your donkeys ????
  • 1 2
 That was an emoji laughing
  • 5 3
 @scott-townes: I totally agree with you. I’ve been hit five times and am lucky all of them were minor collisions. And I do not road ride but do commute to work via mtn bike. Albeit, I’ve had some close calls with dirt bikes.
  • 3 0
 Exactly why I don't commute by bike anymore, I'd sooner hit Rampage blind folded! Hope they catch the scum bag
  • 3 0
 Boulder is notoriously bad for roadies and cars. Shitty but not a shock from that place.
  • 15 0
 Doesn't help if you're riding to work or trying to get somewhere as the majority of cyclists are. For sure, the trails are good for recreation, but cycling as a culture has to face the murderous ignorance of (some) motorists every day.
  • 25 0
 All the best Bernie - I've been there, lying on the side of the road all broken up. It's a tough journey ahead. Stay focused on your health and getting stronger every day. Some advice: for a long time I was bitter about the guy who hit me. He got a $17 ticket and I had life-long injuries. I was mad. Anger takes a lot out of you - it sucks your energy and you need every bit you have towards getting healthy again. I finally released my anger and never thought about that guy again. Life got way better after that.

I agree with Trussell - I do way more mountain biking than road these days. It's much safer.
  • 3 0
 I agree 100%. I have been working the bike industry for almost 10 years and have known about 15 of my customers that ride road that have been killed. I have only had 1 mtb customer who got paralyzed in a crash. I really hope they find the person who hit this guy!! Almost all these guys are hit by people who have no morales or ethics and take off.
  • 8 0
 I commuted by bike as much as practicable for over 20 years. The last two times I was smacked by a car were deliberate decisions by the driver (one swerved into the bike lane while blasting his horn and gave me the bird as he drove away, and the other had the passenger hanging out the window watching me go down). I ain't waiting for a third time since it's been dirt only for me for the past three years. I may live a longer life because of that decision. As I say now "I've never been hit by a car riding on singletrack." I have been hit by accident a few times... but deliberate violence against me... eff that.
  • 6 4
 @rumblefish255: with morals and ethics it can be the other way around. It often takes a person with strict moral codes to perform such act. Yes in many cases it may be road rage and then cowardliness to try to avoid punishment. Some may be drunk drivers and cowards. But there are folks who will hit a person on a bike and go, “I did the right thing, you broke the rules of traffic and I punished you!”. A guy I know was hit by such dude.
  • 25 4
 This sounds like inappropriate victim blaming. A country where it's considered insane or hazardous to ride your bike along a road has lost it's control over motorised traffic. Every community and government where this is the case should feel embarresed take immediate action. Questioning the act to ride a bike on a public road when such an event happens is like questioning what a victim of sexual assault wore... All the best to Bernie!
  • 13 10
 @MatthewCarpenter: huh? We are not saying he did a bad thing to ride on the road, we are just saying it is a very dangerous thing to do.

Two days ago I drove by a roadie on a single lane 70 road with lots of cars coming from the other direction. He rode 1-1,5m from the edge of the lane. He has a full right to do it. What do you think was going through minds of everyone that needed to pass him riding 25-30km/h with cars whizzing at 70-80 from the other side? Especially when the rule is to keep 1,5m distance from the cyclist while passing. He forced hundreds of drivers to expose themselves at the risk of colliding with a car from the other side.

How many people do you need to bow to your own righteousness until you realize it is you who is a dick? One that cannot grasp the fact that it will no longer matter whether he has a right to ride that way or not if he ends up in a ditch and dies. I am sure he was thinking he is doing the right thing for himself and for other cyclists to be more respected. The opposite is true. He just made it worse for other cyclists, most of whom ride within 0,5m from the edge of highly trafficked roads. Stupid drivers will be even more angry at all cyclists. Even the ones with common sense.

I see this “educating” or “not giving a F” kind rarely, but they exist. That is why I never do road rides with people who I know will like to ride beside me to talk to me no matter what happens on the road.
  • 17 2
 @WAKIdesigns: @WAKIdesigns: the riding in pairs is not for talking purposes, but actually recommended in some countries (like my own in Spain) by the traffic institutions to effectively make the cyclists a vehicle as far as space is concerned and avoid drivers rushing by them as if they weren't there because there is oncoming traffic on the next lane, and killing/injurying them that way. It unfortunately bases on the premise that everybody is aware that you should NOT overtake a cyclist if you cannot give him/her 1,5m distance, of which apparently many drivers are unaware.

Yes, it drives me nuts to see road cyclists riding on the actual roads when there is a bike lane 5m to the side, but most road bike serious accidents are caused by the drivers being ingorant of the 1,5m rule, and apparently as well of the fact that they are driving machines that weigh over a ton at very high speeds vs an (in comparison) almost bystander with a total weigth of 120kg in the best of cases.


All that, to save about 5 seconds on whicheved drive they are on. It pisses me off beyond belief how somebody can be so egoistical and be ready to take a live or seriously injury someone just so they don't loose a couple of seconds or break for a bit, or because they HAD to check their phone while at the wheel. They are completely avoidable, and cause major injuries or even deaths.
  • 9 0
 @MrkTrussell: Clearly you don't have any wanna be rally drivers near you... Single track for me Bro.

In other news, I once hit a car with my bike, true story lol got winked at by a girl and was so distracted I rode straight into the side of a guy's shiny new Jaguar while I was looking the other way!
  • 2 2
 @landscapeben: That. Is. Awesome. lol
  • 2 5
 we just had a bike on bike head on crash on the Cherry Creek trail here in CO less than a month ago... man almost died.... don't think just because there are no cars there's no risk
  • 4 0
 @rideitall-bmx-dh-road-unicycle: I wouldn't contest that there was no risk, just that the risk is a great deal less.
  • 6 8
 @JoseMPM: Riding side by side is a lunacy. It may protect the rider on the edge of the road, it definitely increases the chance of outside rider getting killed. Especially in countries where drivers have litte respect for cyclists. It may be fine when road is empty, but it is virtually a suicide on highly trafficked roads because you force the car to go over to the opposite lane. Particularly on roads with 70-90km/h limit. I speak from experience of riding a bike and driving a car. Keeping 1,5m space when passing is often virtually impossible. Not all country roads in Poland or Sweden have 3,5m wide lane.
  • 5 1
 Avoid road cycling at all costs. I prefer to die in the forest hit by a wild boar, instead of being hit by a car.
  • 3 1
 @ReddyKilowatt: not sure why you got downvoted to infinity. The number of inexperienced riders I've almost annihilated who are stopped in the middle of high speed singletrack (not to mention riding the wrong way on one direction trails) is getting exponentially higher now than anything I remember in the past
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: you do know he's dispelling on trail mtb collisions, not road, right
  • 2 0
 @HaggeredShins: LOL. That's what I was wondering. I'm not saying we shouldn't ride on trails or that riding on the dirt is as dangerous as riding on the pavement. Just that I think 1) we all need to be careful and 2) we should design our trail systems to not just count on them not being busy. But whatevs. I assume it made some people feel like their peepees are bigger than they really are.
  • 1 0
 Very true and who likes riding road anyway, boring as hell. The person who hurt this Colorado friend should be given death penalty
  • 2 7
flag owlie (Jul 26, 2019 at 22:01) (Below Threshold)
 the choice to ride on the road is entirely the cyclists.
  • 6 8
 @owlie: What's your point?

So if a woman dresses provocatively does that give someone an 'Ok' to rape her?
  • 5 3
 @m1dg3t: yes thats exactly what im saying... What im actually saying is that its extremely dangerous to ride on roads these days. the distractions of drivers is up so high, that to me, its way too dangerous.
  • 1 0
 @saamiam21: great quote
  • 3 5
 @owlie: Getting out of bed every day and going outside is dangerous. Might as well just stay inside a bubble.
  • 2 2
 @m1dg3t: okay
  • 2 3
 @m1dg3t: Why dont you google Ghost bikes, Mr social justice warrior. Tell me how many you find on trails vs roads.
  • 4 2
 Nobody asked you for your opinion on road cycling. Not really the time to say this man picked the wrong hobby.
  • 1 0
 Same live a college town too many phone and drive at the same time. If I want to do roadwork I go to my local lake and do laps. I used to gravel a bit but rednecks think it's funny to dust cyclists as much as they can speeding up when they see me.
  • 2 2
 And people wonder why I can't wait for our robot driving overlords to take over
  • 2 0
 @masonstevens: me either..but since i got rammed by a wild boar resulting in a taco’ed front wheel and a bruised thigh,I realized i am in no control over wildlife..but thats still better than possibly been hit by a 2000+Kg,4 wheeled or more vehicles..
  • 1 0
 sorry bud, we have some activists out here in Alberta that have put up some barbed wire to catch us( no not the guy who scammed everyone n bragg creek), but on actual trails in southern Alberta. so some others are out to do danger.. super sad for sure. on all accounts
  • 5 1
 I really hate when people say road riding is dangerous... cars are dangerous! I wish our society would change the perspective on this.
  • 7 6
 @derekr: roads are here because of cars. Like cycling paths are made for bicycles. Cars are big, heavy objects moving at velocities making them carry big amounts of kinetic energy in relation to a bicycle. It is physics. You are a single person who wants to bow a large chunk of population that uses cars for work and going from one place to another so that you can do your... hobby
  • 4 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Not sure about Sweden, but in most of Europe the majority of cycles are used for commuting and utility, they are just as necessary for daily life as cars. Nothing to do with "hobby", thats just a small minority of lunatics.

The answer is good, protected cycling infrastructure so we don't have to share the road with all the 2-ton, 180km/h monsters that every soccer mom nowaday needs to ferry her 40kg kid around.
Plus, once you get a lot of cyclists on the road, drivers become much more aware of and careful around cyclists.
  • 3 3
 @Ttimer: Sweden is a country where in city centers, cyclists have too much of ideological supremacy and treat themselves and often are treated, as saint cows. They are the most disrespectful members of the traffic and car drivers are the most careful and respectful ones.

It changes slightly on the outskirts, where cyclists no longer behave like douchebags. Their survival instinct must be kicking in. Drivers are very respectful. But it doesn’t change the fact that if a cyclist or a group of cyclists end up on 50-80 road with 3-3,5m lanes, there will be conflict. If it is a road in a country with such low population density as Sweden it occurs rarely. If it is a country like Poland where traffic is high between 7.am and 9pm, the conflict and potentially dangerous situations are unavoidable.
  • 2 1
 @MatthewCarpenter: You are spot on. In the US we have lost control over motorized traffic. I am anxiously waiting for self driving cars to take over for the idiots I see every day.
  • 5 1
 @WAKIdesigns: your perspective and attitude is disappointing but not uncommon.

I too share an annoyance with roadies riding on the main roads but the fact is many of the designated cycling routes are unsafe due to cars. I myself am a cyclist commuter, not a roadie but I do support road cycling on bike paths; don’t you think the trails would be crowded if all recreational cyclists went there?

A few weeks ago a recreational cyclist was struck and killed on a designated bike route in my area right on my commute route (and at one of the popular parking areas to access SFU) by a person driving way over the speed limit presumably under the influence... clearly not appreciating how dangerous CARS can be. This could very well have been a mountain biker had the timing been different. General folks talk about how dangerous cycling is; if a family was t-boned at the next intersection it would have been a far different story.

Cycling is inexpensive and a simple solution to our traffic and climate issues as not everyone is going to afford a Tesla or squeeze into a stinky crowded bus. I think the key barrier to reaching critical mass in making this change really boils down to car safety. This way people can travel with their entire family on bicycles.

Wishing Mr Bernstein a speedy recovery.
  • 1 1
 Spot on indeed. Rachel Atherton mentions why she’ll never road ride again. youtu.be/PiYknIFEayw
  • 1 0
 @MrkTrussell: my subie has other things to say about that
  • 2 1
 @frosty374: f*ck self driving cars
  • 3 1
 @WAKIdesigns: you should try riding road and/or studying the best practices for road riding, then you might see you examples really aren't "extremely stupid" but are sometimes the safest way to ride.
  • 2 4
 @derekr: commute and roadie-ing are 2 completely different things. I was commenting on the latter and a simple fact of two objects of quite different masses occupying same lane and traveling at different speeds. Commute is another can of worms, and as an architect with urban planning and design background living in a country like Sweden, traveling around Europe, I really do not need to educated on cycling/ commuting. As to attitudes You would be a bit disillusioned if you came to a city like Copenhagen and put a foot on a cycling path as a pedestrian. Either by crossing it or by just momentarily losing balance/ orientation. Even in Gothenburg where I am from acts of purposeful riding into pedestrians are not uncommon. Well, they are not supposed to be on a cycling path, isn’t it? But a cyclist is perfectly entitled to ride on roads as he wish and drivers must respect him, with smile. Because he is saving the planet. Except he isn’t even thinking this way, only when confronted, he will pick up that silly argument. According to research made in Nordic countries and Netherlands, the main 3 reasons why cyclists chose to commute on bikes are:1. it is more convenient than public transport and driving - it is simply faster 2. It is cheap 3. It is a form Of physical activity (which is horse sht, especially in the era of ebikes).Point 1 is highly questionable in North American cities characterized by much bigger urban sprawl where distances between work, schools and home are bigger
  • 7 1
 @WAKIdesigns: Oh come on waki. Now you're in complete hyperbole again. Are there idiots on bikes? Of course, just as there are idiot pedestrians, drivers, and humans. And all three interchange quite frequently. Sometimes Im an idiot cyclist/pedestrian/driver/human. I try to minimise it, but sometimes it happens. You can't pick out cyclists as their own species.
Your statement that "roads are here because of cars" is incorrect. Roads existed way before cars. People have just claimed them for their cars, and that is the problem, in my opinion. Why should two cyclists not be allowed to cycle next to each other? I don't complain if a tractor is going slowly in front of me, so why when it is a bike?
You are victim-blaming roadies, if a car drives past them too close at high speed.
  • 2 5
 @mitochris: even asphalt roads were claimed by cars? Really? No, they were invented for nothing else but automobiles of all sorts. All I am saying is: you are riding a bicycle on a road that you share with 1.3 tonne vehicles going at least 20km/h faster than you. You may or may not see it as a dangerous activity. Choice is yours. I just find it hilarious how a bunch of a few folks tries to bend 99.9999% of users of the roads to theor own wish.
  • 6 1
 You are all aware of the fact that roads were not invented for cars, but for transportation. As long as the law permits cars, motor cycles, bikes, tractors and pedestrians nothing gives you a superior right to the road. So if you need you slow down to wait for the right moment to pass a bike, tractor or granny that's what you need to do. If you cant accept that, don't ever f*cking drive again. Understood?
  • 1 5
flag WAKIdesigns (Aug 3, 2019 at 9:20) (Below Threshold)
 @Hakkapelitta: I don’t know how far from reality you wish to drift only to satisfy an urge to be a good person or appear to be one to not realize that virtually every single road is made for cars and trucks (which are the most common a mean of transportation in the world) and road cycling would not exist in the form we know it, if roads were not made into even surfaces. I am sick and tired of people like Grönpartisterna who throw crap at cars only to win more electorate, and create tons of ridiculous solutions costing citizens money and the environment, like Västlänken in Gothenburg. The reality is, Swedish politicians have three things they use most often and in huge amounts: 1.talks about environment 2. Asphalt 3. Concrete. And far end enviro-social folks do more harm than good. Country Roads, are made for everyone, but it so happens cars weigh much more and travel at much higher velocities than cyclists and pedestrians, so you may want to consider whether your social rights are stronger than laws of physics
  • 1 0
 @MrkTrussell: Some Raptor drivers might try! No, I drive a tundra and it will run forever.
  • 35 0
 This is awful. I hope they find the person and charge them with attempted manslaughter (or whatever the highest equivalent is in the US).

I ride on the road a fair bit, and this kind of thing really makes me want to get a set of those cycliq camera/light systems.
  • 28 3
 It could be reckless driving and/or failure to yield and/or failure to stop at the scene of an accident. All misdemeaners, biggest fine is like 500 bucks.

If you want to get away with murder in the US, hit a cyclist.
  • 10 2
 There is no such thing as attempted manslaughter. By definition manslaughter would mean there wasn’t any intent to kill someone.
  • 10 0
 @mattsavage: Depends on the state. In California leaving the scene of a collision where a person is injured is a felony.
  • 4 0
 @mattsavage: The most common charge in Colorado for these types of crime is Careless Driving Causing Injury. It's a misdemeanor traffic offense with up to one year in jail. The hit and run element adds an additional charge, here a felony since serious bodily injury occurred. If they catch the person and can prove it up, there will likely be jail time and probation. If the person had stayed, they likely would have received one year of probation, no jail, and community service.
  • 3 30
flag dtm1 (Jul 25, 2019 at 19:41) (Below Threshold)
 @mattsavage: you’re an effing moron. Show me A (as in ONE) case of “getting away with murder due to mowing down a cyclist and fleeing the scene and only being charged with a $500 misdemeanor”. So yeah, leave the US dude, nobody is keeping you prisoner here. Bye.
  • 2 0
 I couldn't give a damn who hits me, I just don't want to get hit.
  • 13 2
 @dtm1: You went zero to 100 real quick. No ones asking you to read the news but if you're going to flip out like this you ought to educate yourself before you flip out.

But since you aren't going to do it because clearly you're an idiot who just likes to lash out at others, I found this in a few seconds:

kdvr.com/2019/07/24/bicyclist-dies-after-being-struck-by-vehicle-near-denver-country-club-driver-cited

The penalty for careless driving resulting in death in Colorado is a $300-$1000 and/or 10 days in jail. So kindly GFY
  • 18 0
 I really do hate hearing of these stories. For me, its why I don't road bike. There are some twisted drivers on the road. On two separate occasions in western NC, I had manic motorists deliberately try and run me off the highway on my motorcycle. On my back tire, following me all the way into the shoulder, and exceeding 120mph. It was like a horror movie. It hurts a good sport, and more importantly hurts good people.
  • 3 0
 I had someone run me off the road on the skull valley loop, last time for that. Red dodge caravan.
  • 1 0
 Nearly got run off the road by a dump truck (!) once... Not fun.
  • 20 1
 Wishing you the best recovery possible, we all hate to hear this-especially when it is hit and run.
  • 17 0
 A bright red bike @ 4-5pm would be visible to anyone paying attention.
  • 16 1
 On a straight road, nonetheless.
  • 5 0
 I ride about 2K miles/yr on road, I have the benefit of living in a rural area, but even a red bike won't help you these days. Neon yellow jersey, the brightest color helmet you can find, plus two taillights and a headlight is all I run these days. I see way too many road bikes with peops wearing blacks and greys and no lights...I care way more about life than fashion...and yes I get plenty of miles in on the trail as well.
  • 13 0
 Phil Gaimon just made a video about this issue...
youtu.be/yQO4Dnlwcg0
  • 14 0
 Those 2 pictures are clearly two different van
  • 8 0
 Hope we aren't the only ones to notice that. Clearly different length, lights, mirrors, wheels, etc. Gotta think highway patrol knows this and is looking at a couple suspected vans that were in the area. At least i hope so because its super obvious. The one with the right side view has a bunch of damage/Is folded up in front of the rear wheel like they ran over a huge curb or highpointed on something.
  • 6 0
 Scolled down to write this. The one on the right is a Dodge. One on the left is a Chevy G20.
  • 1 0
 OK I thought the exact same thing. One on the left is a Chevy, one on the right is a dodge.
  • 9 0
 Not a doubt in my mind that it was a self absorbed distracted driver........... I can't believe that the human species is too stupid to understand that piloting a 4k pound moving object down the road while staring at that phucking phone is a bad idea. If you are doing this, stop it before you kill my family.
  • 7 0
 This. Can’t believe how casually people take driving. I see shit in SF driving everyday that makes me doubt humanity so, so badly.
  • 3 0
 @DirtbagMatt: yep I don't drive much when I do I take it as a huge responsibility. Mentally it's more tiring to drive then ride my bike.

Which is why I prefer to bike.
  • 2 0
 Weirdest thing i saw was a women brushing her teeth while driving. Thats actually not bad as far as distractions go, since she was looking ahead, but still.....
  • 8 0
 Unfortunately this seems to happen too frequently around the Front Range. Too many [unskilled, stoned, drunk, distracted, shitty] drivers that aren't capable of seeing what's ahead, giving space, and passing safely, not to mention all the aggro-petrol-diesel-heads that hate roadies in the state. Cheers to positive vibes, full recovery, and justice for Bernie.
  • 9 2
 What's with all the victim blaming here?

Questioning the act to ride a bike on a public road when such an event happens is like questioning what a victim of sexual assault wore...

A country where it's considered insane or hazardous to ride your bike along a road has lost it's control over motorised traffic. Every community and government where this is the case should feel embarresed take immediate action.

All the best to Bernie!
  • 5 2
 I don't see any victim blaming, I see people discussing the dangers of road biking. I think you're being a little unrealistic in your expectations of motorized traffic. Accidents happen many times everyday with cars. Choosing to be on a bike in that will lead to accidents. Simple as that. And unfortunately, because you are on a bike, you're going to be the one that is hurt.
  • 6 0
 @byfan: Point being is that while accidents can certainly happen, they're happening at a rate which is frankly unacceptable. If anything, we need more road riders for more visibility so more people can learn how to work with bikes on the road.

That, and actual punishments amounting to consequence when you kill someone. 6 months community service while someone lays dead 6 feet under is a joke.

I've gotten into gravel riding for this exact reason. I'm often put in shitty situations on the road, so try to avoid it. That said, I commute to work and have had a few close calls that were completely due to unaware, aggressive, or flat out hateful drivers. When you have someone run you off the road while swearing at you, you understand that the issue isn't just accidents, it's a portion of the community being in a state they never should have gotten a license.

A gentleman (a*shole) on youtube had a video somewhat recently stating that all road bike accidents in Australia are the fault of the rider. This video was positively received by the community it landed in. That's f*cking unacceptable and completely bypasses the logic of "accidents happen."
  • 2 0
 @sherbet: Part of the issue is overreliance on cars, which leads to entitlement and shitty "i own the road" attitudes.
  • 7 0
 Terrible tragedy. I know most of us are mountain bikers, but play safe on the roads my friends. Get a super bright rear flashers and keep doing shoulder checks to make sure the driver is starting to move over. Stick to quiet roads. There are so so so many people still driving and texting. Not how I want to die.
  • 3 0
 Also/or mirror(s)... Pretty much eliminate shoulder checks
  • 2 0
 @mtbikeaddict: I hadn't thought to install one, but I like the sound of not having to look over my shoulder.
  • 2 0
 @Adamrideshisbike: Granted I don't have a road bike, so there'd have to be a different way to attach to funny-shaped handlebars Wink (I'm quit sure there are clamp/gooseneck options that work with anything, I just preferred the barend).. But in my case... I use two mirrors: one is round, decently large, and attaches into the barend, so I have a side mirror. I pair that with a typical small helmet-mounted mirror. The two mirrors complement nicely... The handlebar (side mirror) is more fixed so you need to set it up how you want it and make sure it stays that way... mostly after rest break potential readjustment, but some forceful/repetitive vibrations will move it... The helmet mirror is nice. It's also smaller and more mobile (head movement), hence more precise, which can be a double-edged sword. I found the tradeoffs even out... Each may be better for certain distances/situations... Wide field of view, stability, good on steady corners and straights, moves with handlebars... Smaller corner of the eye out of the way, easily moves anywhere with head, good for tracking a car approaching from behind without turning around or moving head/bars much... Between the two I rarely head/shoulder checked, but that has its place too... maybe initially spotting a car, checking on group, merging, mostly in wide areas - at least for me, as my bike follows my head... I mostly used my mirrors due to much of my riding having little to no shoulder. Anyways, suppose I could try to get links/pics. Hope that ramble helped somehow. Feel free to question further and/or PM. Smile
  • 1 0
 Wow, that was long. Redface Big Grin
  • 1 0
 @mtbikeaddict: No worries. I found a little one that fits into your bar end on a road bike. Should do the trick. I mostly stick to rural and gravel roads, so I don't deal with a ton of traffic.

I did however jam my thumb into the ground on a recent crash and will be relegated to the road bike until it heals.
  • 9 0
 the investigation should take 2 hrs-2000 RAM van cross referenced to some guy with 4 DUI's. done
  • 5 0
 I used to commute on a motorcycle, but I had so many close calls with distracted drivers I gave it up. On a motorcycle or bike it's a lot easier to recognize people using their cell phones while driving (at least for me it is) and literally 2/3 of drivers have their phone in their hand, even here in MD where handheld use is banned and a primary offense.

Now I primarily commute on a bicycle, and for some reason I feel more control over the situation. Maybe it just because the traffic density of the routes I ride on a bike versus a motorcycle. Plus traveling at 110kph on the highway and getting nudged by a car is going to be catastrophic.

A good roadie friend of mine, who's lost or had injured several friends over the years always says that if you want to get away with murder, hit someone with your car, you'll get a fine at worst.

Healing vibes to Mr. Bernstine. Let's hope they find the coward that left him for dead.
  • 4 0
 I hope they catch the miserable sumbitch that left him.... we had similar with one of our local roady heros and it nearly killed him, he took a Ford F250 passenger side mirror to the head and was in about the same shape as this gentleman. My prayers are with he and his family as he recuperates to better and badder than before!
  • 4 0
 Drivers in colorado dont know what a bike lane is period. I live on a street with a bike lane on a gentle corner. 75% of drivers are in the bike lane driving doesnt matter phone or not. We have a 3ft law in place that nobody know about either....gutted for the man I hope for jistice and a full recovery.
  • 5 0
 The top van is a Chevy, the 2nd van is a Dodge. Two different Van's (notice dodge is longer than chevy from rear wheels back, as well as Chevy tail lights dont wrap around side of van like dodge do)
  • 2 0
 i thought those looked like different vans, too. thanks for highlighting the differences. i wonder if they looked at security footage from around the area and these are the photos they came up with.
  • 2 0
 Unfortunately this kind of thing happens far too often. So much so that I won't ride on the road anymore. At the end of the day it doesn't matter if I had the right of way if I'm laid up in the hospital. I hope they find the guilty party and I hope he makes a speedy recovery.
  • 2 0
 Bad deal, probably someone driving and texting. I was riding my road bike in Boulder in the early 70's and someone whipped a beer bottle at me, hit me in the eye cutting it in half. Just got of the Marine Corps at the time, a real nice welcome home..
  • 2 0
 Gut wrenching to hear about this, I hope everything works out for him. Road riding has always been sketchy, phones or not. What's crazy is that road he was on is wide and straight with a large shoulder several feet wide, which makes me wonder if it was intentional. What always blew my mind was driving up the PCH north of LA and seeing the roadies riding on that road with only a few inches of shoulder between then and all of the rubber necking tourists!!!!
  • 3 1
 Started a job at Specialized as a mountain biker. They talked me into spandex and doing their lunch ride. 1 time out and I knew immediately this sport was not for me. You just ride blindly as cars wiz by you and you pray everyone is paying attention to you. Its f'n bonkers and It's a fight roadies will never win, they are getting killed/injured way too often.
  • 1 0
 I hate hearing stories like this. A person responsible for any hit and run deserves lengthy prison time. I’m new to MTB and these stories are the only reason I haven’t added a roadie to the stable. Freaking despicable to leave a man wounded on the side of the road.
  • 4 0
 Gosh they need better people on this investigation if they can't tell that the first picture isn't of a Dodge van...
  • 2 0
 People who hit and run should be left cooking in the middle of nowhere under blasting sun. Been happening over and over in France, and makes me feel like stopping riding my road bike.
  • 1 0
 Want to commit murder and get away with it? Hit a cyclist with your car/truck in Colorado and you'll face a Class 1 Misdemeanour for careless driving. Sad Frown www.denverpost.com/2019/07/30/alexis-bounds-denver-bicycle-deaths
  • 4 0
 In case no one noticed, the van pictures above are two different vans - one is a Chevrolet van, the other is a Dodge.
  • 1 0
 Good pickup.. you should probably contact the relevant law enforcement involved as it seems they are confused?
  • 1 0
 This is terrible, but I just don't understand why roadies continue to road? The new millennial crowded street is extremely dangerous! It's dirty air, fail drivers, deafening, angry, and full of fear to stay alive! Any double black is far safer than riding pavement.
  • 1 0
 In San Diego, I've often said that it's a great way to get away with an impulsive homicide....just run a cyclist down, maybe drag him for a bit.
Surprised ( just a little bit) to hear that it's similar elsewhere.
I still ride road. to get to point B, and yeah, a trailhead. So I use a pretty bright DRL on the bar, and a 150 lumen blinky on the bike's seat stay bridge, and a blinky on my l. wrist, and reflective ankle and wrist wraps. I also run me helmet light , 800 lumen, so the drivers got PLENTY to see, if they're lookin'. I look straight at them with the helmet, which is also a spot-beam.

Still, I know I'm chancing it.......
  • 4 0
 Cameras on road bikes will be a new norm.
  • 6 0
 I've bought them (headlight and taillight camera) but still haven't worked them into my "pre-ride flow". Keeping everything charged up is just a little too complicated still; just need to form some new habits. But I do want to get a custom jersey made, bright yellow, with a big head-on picture of an old-school DSLR that says "SMILE! YOU'RE ON CAMERA!".
  • 1 0
 @igxqrrl: seems like police would be able to get a hold of cell records from the related towers and trace a phone to the area....but I suppose they need a very accurate time of occurence
  • 2 0
 @takeiteasyridehard: they also need to give a shit, which they don't. just saw the first Denver "vision zero" which, if it follows suit to NYC, will mostly mean heavy enforcement of bullshit on cyclists, and even more cyclists getting run the f*ck over with little to no charges to murderers/drivers
  • 1 0
 Looks like there is even a bike lane westbound in that area. Hopefully they can find a camera at a business to the east or west that can provide at least a vehicle description.
  • 1 0
 Ah I see they have a vehicle description
  • 1 0
 @SavageOwl: Good idea though. Hopefully they use that to look at business/camera footage near the incident.
  • 1 0
 I have been hit 5x, and walked away each time. At most, with bumps and bruises, worst, my bike completely thrashed and bumps and bruises. I have been completely lucky, 5 hit and runs. Heal up Bernie.
  • 3 0
 Gotta find this guy, from the looks of it he's probably got somebody tied up in the back too.
  • 1 0
 Shitty drivers in Colorado. When I was just 12 years old I was hit by a crazy lady in a Buick while riding my road bike. I haven’t ridden a road bike then, I switched to mountain biking.
  • 2 1
 Used to get hit all the time road riding and training for XC. I’d throw my free water bottles at cars to get their attention when they were about to smoke me. Still got hit about 1-2 times every 6 months.
  • 4 1
 Once every 3 months? Calling bullshit in that one. Either that or you are the luckiest unlucky guy in the world.
  • 1 1
 @topherdagopher: Getting hit as in sideswiped or ran into. Cars pulling out in front of you. You could ask my parents how many helmets I went through from 2002-2004. My mom was on city counsel at the time and the chief of police would update her on my run ins with his officers. I’ve never been run over as the case for Andrew fortunately. So yes I’d say I was pretty lucky. Cycling wasn’t widely used in my hometown and no one was expecting a cyclist to be going with the flow of traffic.
  • 1 0
 Sucks!

I’ve had a few friends seriously injured by cars, had a few of my own, so I stopped riding road ten years ago.

Mountain biking is dangerous, but it’s all me, no cars.

Healing vibes.
  • 2 0
 What kind of person is so miserable to do that? I wish Andrew the very best. Keep strong bro.
  • 2 0
 That is horrible. Good vibes going his way. Hopefully this person is caught
  • 4 0
 Cell phones.....
  • 5 0
 ...... The idiots using them.
  • 2 0
 Super bummer, hope he heals up okay. Push for protected bike lanes in your community, put in a k rail
  • 1 2
 Super mega gangam style healing vibes going out to you Bernie!

I hope they find the bastard/s and punish them severely. Make an example out of them. This kind of shit needs to stop. No more leniency.

People talk a lot of smack about roadies but it is god damned dangerous riding on the tarmac. I have been rear ended, t boned, side swiped, head on, pretty much any which way you can get hit while riding on the road. A lot of motorists are completely oblivious. Especially nowadays with 'smart' phones...

Motorcyclists have it just as bad if not worse due to the speed factor.

Not to take away from this event here, but have a look at this vid and see the outcome m.youtube.com/watch?v=I7zrOg5GdvE
  • 2 0
 That's so close to me. That road has a BIG shoulder. It's either DUI or malice.
  • 1 0
 Karma is a bitch, that motorist is screwed. The Universe takes care of this kind of stuff in very creative ways. Best wishes for a full recovery Bernie.
  • 3 0
 This is why I dont ride road bikes, well that and spandex,
  • 1 0
 how many mid-90's extended Dodge cargo vans can there be in the area? Check with the carpet installers and contractors. Someone is bound to recognize that van.
  • 1 0
 Hope for his full recovery. As far as road biking, Trees don't move, only mtbing for me.
  • 5 4
 Why's it matter what color shirt he was wearing? Is it because a distracted driver has a hard time seeing ... anything?
  • 10 1
 That's in there in hopes that someone saw something and can help.
  • 8 0
 Because it might be useful for people who are potential witnesses.
  • 6 0
 @ReddyKilowatt: Good point. Still, I hope this doesn't turn into another blame the cyclist for wearing dark clothes thing.
  • 1 0
 Deleted.
  • 1 0
 @srjacobs: Saturday July 20th. 4:30pm
  • 1 0
 @danielsapp: I think it's July 20. June 20 wasn't a Saturday
  • 1 9
flag thesharkman (Aug 1, 2019 at 2:52) (Below Threshold)
 The color shirt he was wearing helps show whether he made any effort at all to protect himself or simply relied on a set of laws to do it for him. Safety is always a person's own responsibility.
  • 1 0
 Truly tragic news... thats why my road bike is seldom used...cell phones and driving...say no moreFrown
  • 1 0
 Best wishes for a speedy recovery. At the end of the day, we all enjoy being on two wheels.
  • 1 0
 guy driving was probably hammered smh . Typical drinking and driving vehicle . Prayers for a full recovery
  • 1 0
 sadly this happens quite often in colorado
  • 1 3
 I love reading the comments, I've logged over 70k miles on my road bikes in 8 years and haven't been hit once, maybe a few close calls, I've also had a few close calls on the mountain bikes.
  • 2 0
 I'm sure Mr. Bernstein is happy for you. And the special utopia you get to ride in.
  • 2 0
 "and haven't been hit once."

You're only GOING to get hit once. That's all it takes.
  • 1 2
 @iammarkstewart: Read through what people are saying they have been hit 5-6 times I call bullshit. its all a tactic to scare people from road bikes.
  • 1 1
 @jacobxpaul: Yeah, I have been reading. All I'm saying is you saying you're fine doesn't help the guy who isn't and fighting for his life.

And thinking anyone on this site is primarily a road rider and will be scared by this report is probably a little off base. Roadies commenting here or even reading are already aware and don't need mountain bikers preaching to the choir.
  • 1 0
 Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery.
  • 1 0
 Put the damn phones down and just drive! Healing vibes to Bernie.
  • 1 0
 Hate to see stuff like this happen. Terrible.
  • 1 0
 Those two vans are different models just saying
  • 1 0
 Chevy van on the left, Dodge van on the right........
  • 1 0
 So sorry to hear this
  • 1 0
 Get those mofos.
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