A bicyclist killed in a head-on collision with a vehicle Wednesday afternoon in unincorporated Contra Costa County has been identified as 46-year-old Maayan Jones of Novato.
The crash was reported around 4:30 p.m. on a narrow winding road called Mount Diablo Scenic Boulevard near Diablo Ranch Drive, just outside of Mt. Diablo State Park.
Jones was transported to Athenian School by ambulance and then airlifted to a hospital, where he died Wednesday night.
Investigators said he was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
The driver involved in the crash remained at the scene to cooperate with investigators. Anyone with additional details about the investigation is asked to call the CHP’s Contra Costa office at 925-646-4980.
What a terrible accident.
The investigators let us know he was wearing a helmet, as if a helmet would offer much protection in a head-on collision with a vehicle. It struck me as an odd thing to say.
Not odd at all. Everytime a cyclist is in an accident the first question from car drivers is “was he wearing a helmet?”. I’m not sure why, I can only guess that is part of the blaming the victim that drivers like to do. Part of the whole “cyclists don’t pay taxes they block traffic and shouldn’t even be allowed on roads” mantra that is so common from drivers. You can look up the statistics, in fact helmets are not really all that effective in most accidents.
Speaking from experience, a helmet can prevent a minor crash from resulting in a major injury.
It’s a bad road to ride. The guy was from Novato. I wonder why he didn’t ride on Mt. Tam – too dangerous?
Maayan was visiting a colleague in Alamo, and as an avid cyclist, he wanted to ride My Diablo.
Sad story. I gave up riding anywhere near traffic some years back after too many close calls. Now I ride off road and just worry about crashing because of loose rocks, roots, or ruts.
There are riders on and around Mt Diablo every day w/o accident…this guy was from Novato…wonder if it was his first ride in the area.
JoJo nailed it…
I’m sure the cyclist just swerved into the car… it’s the usual outcome when there are no witnesses… or the forever popular sun was in my eyes.
Wait till the family gets the chopper ride invoice. I see those Court Jester riders every weekend…outside the beloved bike lane in the car travel lane, 2-3 abreast, blowing thru stop signs & when you almost kill them because of their illegal & stupid antics (I own the whole road & can do whatever I want) & poor attitude they flip you off. I tell them they will die the next time & should be happy a professional driver like me can avoid them… alas they never say thank you…..
You should try it, it might help you relax
Dear Family of Maayan,
Our prayers are with you and your three young children, who now must grow up without their Daddy. He was an avid cyclist and loved the Cali cycle races. He will be missed by all who knew him. RIP. May God bless your family and lived ones.
For the rest of the audience of Claycord, I ask that you respect the loss of a good man, a great Dad and husband. Please stop making unkind statements that are unfounded and useless. I will post when a Go Fund Me account is established, so each of you can donate generously to this family who will be lost.
So sad that a relaxing outing turned tragic for all involved…
Most of the time if a bicyclist gets hit by a car and the driver is not drunk then it’s the bicyclist fault.
So very true. Cyclists and pedestrians cause so many accidents. There are some really terrible car drivers out there, but these elitist attitudes ruin things for everyone.
Hey Schmee, did you see what I posted? Maayan was a father, a husband and a loved member of his community. Stop with the hurtful statements. We are mourning the loss of a great guy.
As a former bicyclist who has rode the mountain, I understand the thrills & chills of those scenic curves, climbs, & descents. As an automobile driver on the same passes, I also get the inconveniences & dangers cyclists pose.
My solution would be designating specific times when one or the other (only) could use the road. Maybe Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday from dawn to noon for bikes only, or something like that.
That is one interesting idea. I think one day a week for a start.
Share the damn roads. They aren’t just for cars! Travelers with equines have full rights to use them.