bay area cycling news

The Santa Cruz Patch reports that due to community efforts, the burgundy Nissan that was involved in the hit-and-run death of cyclist Zachary Parke on the UC Santa Cruz campus last week was found. "However, they have held back further details while the investigation continues."

A 25 year old bicyclist is the probable victim of a hit-and-run early this morning near the UC Santa Cruz campus on Empire Grade Road. The body was found by a passing cyclist around 8am today. Pieces of debris indicate the the car could be a maroon or burgundy Nissan. From the Santa Cruz Sentinel : Pudge said the driver of a maroon or burgundy Nissan is suspected of hitting the cyclist on Tuesday night or this morning. Pieces of the car's headlight were found at the scene, as well as paint chips, bicycle parts and other debris. ... Law enforcement officers are looking for the car and driver. CHP officer Sarah Jackson said the Nissan likely has a damaged headlight, side mirror, fender or other damaged areas on its front end. Please keep an eye out for a damaged red Nissan and call the CHP if you have any information; 831-622-0511 or 831-796-2160.

The Santa Cruz City Council is voting today on moving the Pacific Coast Bike Route from Mission Drive to West Cliff Drive. Transportation officials have sought to relocate the route, which is part of an 1,800-mile stretch from British Columbia to Southern California, to share West Cliff’s unparalleled view of Monterey Bay with visiting riders and reduce their risk of collisions with vehicles. Since 2007, two bicyclists have been killed after being struck on Mission Street, which has no bike lanes, and police have recorded three other crashes there since 2009. Read the full reasoning at the Santa Cruz Sentinal .

It seems that the truck driver in the November 4 fatal collision with cyclist Lauren Ward was also involved in another cyclist getting killed in Santa Cruz in August 2007. On Aug. 7, 2007, Vera's big rig and cyclist John Myslin, a 25-year-old high school teacher, collided at the intersection of Mission and Bay streets in Santa Cruz. An investigation concluded that the popular Pacific Collegiate School teacher was at fault and police advised the Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office not to file charges against Vera. Police have yet to release a final statement on the November 4 crash because a lack of eyewitnesses is making the analysis difficult. If you have any information regarding the November 4 crash, please call CHP investigators at 650-369-6261. Read more at the Palo Alto Daily News (on Mercury News' website).

A cyclist was injured while turning in traffic in santa Cruz yesterday. Just before 4 p.m., a 63-year-old Santa Cruz man was turning left from Water Street on to Front Street. He made a hand signal but collided with a small sedan, said Santa Cruz police spokesman Zach Friend. Santa Cruz police ask anyone with information on the incident to call investigations at 420-5820 or the anonymous tip line at 831-420-5995. Read more at the Mercury News .