Carson streets safe for motorcyclists

A California motorcyclist was killed Saturday near Cave Rock, one of two fatal accidents involving motorcycles during the Street Vibrations weekend, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol.

Albert Lew, 48, of Benicia, Calif., died Saturday at about 12:25 p.m. on Highway 50 West at Cave Rock.

Preliminary investigations indicate Lew's 2001 Harley Davidson was eastbound on Highway 50 in the Cave Rock tunnel traveling with several other motorcyclists, said NHP Sgt. Tony Almaraz. Once Lew exited the tunnel, his motorcycle drifted off the left side of the roadway. He was attempting to bring the motorcycle back to the right when he struck a highway sign. Lew was pronounced dead at the scene.

Almaraz said troopers responded to numerous calls of accidents involving motorcycles ranging from minor to serious in Northern Nevada for the events ninth year.

"There were some that were alcohol-related and some that weren't. We had very few accidents that were car versus motorcycle," he said, adding driver inattention causes most accidents.

Almaraz said another cyclist was killed in Fallon on Saturday.

The Carson City Sheriff's Department responded to only two calls involving motorcycles over the busy Street Vibrations weekend where an estimated 40,000 bikes roared through town.

Sgt. Clay Wall said there were only two calls in Carson involving motorcycles.

He along with fire crews responded to an accident involving a motorcyclists at Lompa Lane and Long Street on Sunday.

"It's been pretty quiet," Wall said, adding most of the calls concerning motorcycles were related to traffic congestion on Highway 395.

The unnamed driver in Sunday's accident lost control of his Yamaha as he approached the stop sign on the newly sealed roadway. He received minor injuries.

"The reason why we ride hard and fast is because we have to," said one Reno Harley Davidson owner one his way back home after cruising Carson City. "We have to drive defensive because of the lack of public awareness."

His friend agreed.

"I've been in three accidents and every time the first thing the other person said was 'I didn't see you," he said.