I can hardly lift my arms, but here’s the Feed

Well, I pruned some more today, on the live oak out back. I don’t have much upper body strength or endurance any more, so I lopped a few branches off with the pruner and had to call it quits. Then I filtered the Feed and now here I am to post the reports and make comments.

Another SWSS/SWCC wreck in the Pelican State (Louisiana). Cyclist killed at 171 and La. 394 and Bicycle rider killed near DeRidder I find the description of the wreck highly suspect. Especially the part where he was going east on 394 and then turned around to go east on 394…

What sounds like a left cross wreck in CA. Cyclist killed in traffic accident identified CA has the same laws about turning vehicles as TX that requires turning traffic to yield to traffic that is not turning, whether that traffic is oncoming traffic on the same street or road or traffic on the street or road that is being turned on. Hopefully there will be at least a ticket filed against the driver that killed the cyclist.

Another report on the DC cyclist killed by a cop cruiser. Md. cyclist who was killed by police cruiser identified Yeah, anyone that believes the cop was going under the speed limit, I have some oceanfront property in El Paso I would like to sell. I’m not saying the cyclist wasn’t at fault, just saying the likelihood of the cop driving under the speed limit is so low as to be invisible. The fact that they made the statement thus renders all of their other statements suspect. The grain of salt required is about the size of a semi-trailer.

Another report on the kid killed in DE. Teen cyclist killed on 273 ID’d Again the rider was thrown into a car that was in front of both vehicles. This indicates to me that traffic was stopped and the kid did not run the red light like the cops say.

More on the NY state cyclist that was hit by a transit bus. Cops: Greenburgh cyclist was riding alongside bus; bikers invited to ride at funeral The cyclist appears to have been doing exactly what he should have, I still don’t know why LEO haven’t charged the bus driver with running down the cyclist. NY law requires the passing vehicle to pass safely, which means far enough away that you don’t scare the other operator to death. That didn’t happen this time. So why no ticket or charges?

A TX lawyer thinks that Gov. Goodhair’s veto of the Vulnerable Road Users Bill (SB488) may have contributed to the driver that killed 2 people on a tandem bicycle not getting any kind of ticket or charge. Texas Governor Perry Vetoes Safe Passing Bill: Cyclist Deaths The Result? I just want to know what the Helotes LEOs were thinking when they decided that the guy in the truck did nothing illegal when he killed the 2 cyclists.

A case in Scotland that just floored me as the police report wasn’t allowed to be read into evidence. Scottish jury finds case against driver who killed cyclist ‘not proven’ Of course it wasn’t proven, the judge threw out the most important evidence against the driver. Again, what was he thinking?

Again I had to pick myself up off the floor when I read about a multiple repeat drunk driver was facing in the way of charges in Enn Zed. Drink-drive charge ‘appallingly inadequate’ “Downer, who has two previous drink driving convictions, could face a maximum of five years behind bars.” Five years for drunk driving that killed somebody, that’s just a travesty.

And a trio of people that train together for bicycle riding suffered similar wrecks. Cyclist tells of horror crash The man was killed while the wife was recovering from a previous crash, and the personal trainer was in a coma for 5 weeks from the wreck that killed the man… What a mess.

The 2010 Tour of the Battenkill will have a stage dedicated to Veterans. 2010 Tour of the Battenkill Announces Ride to Benefit Injured Veterans If you can do this next year Witch on a Bicycle says do it.

And that’s all for tonight.

Billed @$.02, Opus

After last night I need a lighter day

Fortunately the Feed was smaller today, as after yesterday’s “Deep into the Night” marathon blog posting session I just don’t have the energy for filtering a large Feed.

I only have one new report of a bike wreck. Bicyclist killed in Woodstock collision The mode of this wreck was the cyclist riding on the sidewalk coming the “wrong way” was killed by a driver not paying attention to anything coming from his right as he crossed the sidewalk. Plenty of blame to go around, but I reserve the most blame for the driver that killed the cyclist while both were on the sidewalk. I just wonder if LEO are going to actually use the law that says cars must yield to traffic on a sidewalk when they cross one while getting to the road, or if they are going to blame the cyclist for being there to get hit.

And an update on a report linked here yesterday, they identified the 13 YO cyclist killed in DE. Cyclist, 13, killed in crash identified Interestingly enough now that we have more details on this wreck the physics don’t add up with the rest of the report. The victim was thrown into the back of another vehicle that was in front of the wreck, which indicates that the vehicle was close to the wreck and that the vehicle that struck the cyclist was moving at a greater rate of speed. Why would even a 13 YO go between vehicles that close together if the light wasn’t in his favor? Things just aren’t making sense in this wreck, something smells.

From Jolly Olde another hit-and-run. Man injured in hit and run Interestingly enough there wasn’t anything about the cyclist actually getting hit. “A car turned into Craddock Road in front of him, causing him to fall off his bike.” Now did the man fall off his bike because the bike or his person were grazed by the car or just because he had to stop suddenly and lost his balance?

First of our infrastructure articles is from SF CA. The Bad Motorist Column Never mentioned in the article was the number of drivers that exceed the speed limit even when that limit is too high for conditions, but then this is an Entertainment column, not a traffic safety column for this paper.

More on infrastructure, which dominated the Feed this morning. Queens Boulevard Bike Lane Not Happening, Despite Demand Interesting that in spite of the number of cyclists that use Queens Boulevard and the increasing number killed there, because it wasn’t placed on a document made years ago as a part of the master bike plan NYCDOT won’t even consider adding a bike lane there. Traffic has changed, but the traffic plan hasn’t and bureaucrats must stay with the plan no matter how much things have changed in the real world.

More on infrastructure and users of same from Newton KS. METZLER: Nice fall weather calls for outdoor safety Interesting how bike riders are admonished to be careful, but drivers who are the ones that can actually kill people that are just out to enjoy the nice weather are rightfully placed with the greatest amount of responsibility.

More infrastructure reports on the increasing toll wrought on pedestrians in spite of a falling share in trip mode in the worst areas for pedestrian fatalities. Report: American Cities Dangerous for Pedestrians and Cyclists This was predicted decades ago, design streets without considering pedestrians and pedestrians will get killed, because there is no way to prevent people from using their feet to get around when things get tight.

And another newspaper weighs in on TTTWLAMWAMD Cyclists and motorists on collision course You might remember the first time this article was posted in the LA Times, but as the paper proves by running it for their readers it still is applicable to current events.

And that’s all I have today.

Billed @$.02, Opus

Hoping my ancient computer doesn’t crash, a huge Feed

Well, I went to the lab rat keeper’s place again. I’m still alive, and I still have a pulse that’s slightly faster than a corpse’s after I drink my 3rd cup of coffee for the morning, no telling what it would be without coffee. I was advised again to get a medic alert bracelet or dog tags to let people I’m not dead if I’m found unconscious in the street before I get my morning coffee. The bad news is I gained 3.2 pounds since last month. The funny part is I have 2 sets of clothes now, one set of pants and shirts for “fat days” and another for “skinny days” and the “fat” clothes I can get over my thighs but when I stand up they fall off, the “skinny” clothes are a fight to get on over my thighs but when I get them on they don’t fall off Also I can now see the entire upper lobe of my rectus abdominus clearly now including the striation between the upper lobe and the middle lobe. I still have some more fat to lose yet, but I have lost a bunch already.

Up first is a story with multiple reports about a cyclist killed by a police car. Cyclist killed in collision with SDPD car in University City and Collision with police car kills bicyclist also SDPD calls fatal collision with bicyclist an ‘unfortunate accident’ and finally Police car headed to call hits and kills bicyclist Notice that aside from the comments there is nothing in the reports that wasn’t cleared by the killer’s employers the police department. The claim that the police officer was driving under the speed limit would be laughable if the consequences hadn’t been so dire. I mean when was the last time you saw a driver doing the speed limit, much less under the speed limit?

More on that drunk cyclist who crashed into a tree while riding on the sidewalk. Bike Crash Victim Seriously Hurt and Santa Rosa cyclist remains in critical condition OK there are a number of things that could have prevented this wreck. Not riding drunk is the first and foremost, not riding on the sidewalk second, and third is wearing a helmet when you ride. If you prevent the crash you don’t need the helmet, but you can’t always prevent the wreck so wear the helmet. Ideally you do everything you can to prevent the wreck first then protect yourself from getting hurt in the wreck.

I keep posting about not riding on the sidewalk, this is why. Cyclist Injured In Traffic Crash See, drivers don’t expect you when you’re riding on the sidewalk and do things like pull in front of you when you’re crossing the road even after you’ve already started across, with life-threatening consequences in this case. Ride in the street with the rest of the vehicles…

A recurring theme today seems to be cops killing cyclists. Bicyclist struck, killed by Bladensburg police vehicle Again the ridiculous claim that the cop was driving under the speed limit. But apparently the cyclist deserves some of the blame for not watching out for other vehicles on the road, and now he’s dead. Again, watch out for other vehicles when you pull out from parking lots and driveways.

Not your normal bike wreck, by a long shot. Police arrest Boise man after they watch him mug a bicyclist Downtown early Saturday Can you get any more stupid than this? He tries to steal the guy’s bicycle, in front of a bunch of cops. At least that’s one more anti-bike nut taken off the streets.

And another kid is killed just going for a bike ride near Newark DE. 13-year-old cyclist killed near Newark Nothing much about the wreck except that the cyclist was killed by cardiac arrest, apparently caused by blunt trauma to the chest if the rest of the report means what I think it means.

A memorial is planned for the cyclist killed by a transit bus in NY state. Memorial planned for cyclist killed by bus This was one of the good guys for transportational cycling, and I’m sorry his voice was silenced. but, his death will also speak volumes as even a cyclist of his vast experience was not able to navigate the traffic on that street because of poor design, that he pointed out almost a decade ago but that still hasn’t been changed.

A point that hinges on bicycle safety, pedestrian safety. The 10 most dangerous American cities for pedestrians and Pedestrians beware: Study ranks Orlando worst in nation for pedestrians and from one of the best cities, where things are still pretty bad Taking a walk shouldn’t be a contact sport And finally Path to good health, less pollution is the sidewalk: report Studies have shown a positive correlation between pedestrian safety figures and cyclist safety figures, safer pedestrians make for safer cyclists and vice versa. It’s interesting to note that the 4 worst cities are all in FL, the state that kills the most cyclists in spite of not having the most cyclists to kill.

Darcy Sheppard is getting a Ghost Bike. “Ghost bike” memorial placed on Bloor St. for Darcy Allan Sheppard, cyclist killed in August Just for the record I really don’t want a ghost bike, but if I get killed riding my bike there better damn well be a white painted bicycle where I got hit or I’m going to haunt someone until there is a Ghost Bike. So Ghost Bike, or real ghost riding a bicycle. Y’all better hope I die in my sleep from old age. I never had the chance to meet Darcy, he might have been a real SOB. But nobody deserves to die the way he was killed by a driver trying to smear him off the side of his car.

Another blameless wreck in Jolly Olde. Cyclist suffers head injury in collision with car in Purley I hope the cyclist recovers, and that the real story comes out so I can tell you what to do to keep safe in a similar situation.

And shades of TTTWLAMWAMD, someone semi-famous in Jolly Olde is handed down a severe sentence for using his vehicle to injure a cyclist. Former showjumper Christopher Robertson jailed for injuring cyclist From what I understand felons have a hard time getting a driver’s license in the UK, especially if the crime they committed used a car as a weapon…

Media stirring poo in DC against cyclists. WTOP Report Provokes Anger Among Area Cyclists I wonder if this station is a Faux News outlet?

And a bike ride for a veteran. Group bikes in honor of Canton man killed in Afghanistan Thank you veterans.

And that’s it for today. I was wondering if this computer would continue to run as it crashed twice trying to compose this report, once while filtering the Feed and a second time while composing the post, fortunately after I had saved so nothing was lost. If you happen to have a computer that works good and you’re either local or willing to ship, leave a comment.

Billed @$.02, Opus

After a break for me, more bike wrecks for you

I really should take more days off from this blog, the serenity of not reading about dead and injured cyclists was so nice. So show of hands, how many would object to my going to a 6 day a week update schedule? This isn’t like a web comic where I can build up a buffer for days off, I have to do these on the day they get posted. That means I have to read the day’s Feed, filter it, and then come up with cogent commentary about the reports I read, every day I make a post.

Up first because it’s stupid, a cyclist crashed trying to avoid a car that cut her off and the car ran over her head. Helmet saves Oregon rider Crediting a few ounces of styrofoam with saving a life when the head gets run over is stupid. The only way this could have actually been of help is if the shell was strong enough to either support the wheel on its own or to distribute the forces evenly around the skull. The average bicycle helmet can’t do that.

Is there something in the water in Greensboro? Cyclist Seriously Injured in Accident Of course Faux news is going to try to blame the cyclist, but LEO is saying “Not so fast, the car might have been at fault here.” All I know is the car was in front of the bicycle moving to the side. Whether this was because the bike ran the red or the car left-crossed the cyclist is not known at this point.

A cyclist that might have been drunk was riding too fast on the sidewalk and hits a tree. Santa Rosa bike crash critically injures man Do I really have to tell you what to do or not do to avoid this kind of wreck?

What is it with the Carolinas and bike wrecks? Bicyclist hit, killed in Dunn Nothing about the actual wreck, but as this was a hit-and-run on an Interstate highway access road it was probably a hit-from-behind. And the driver was probably drunk. Prepare the kittens!

More on the NY cyclist hit by a transit bus. Man killed by Bee-Line bus was bicycling advocate Still nothing on the mode of the wreck, other than the cyclist was crossing the road. Nothing mentioned about running a light or stop sign for either vehicle Very strange…

An unidentified cyclist runs a red light in CA. Unidentified cyclist dies in crash And other than that there’s nothing I can tell you.

Lots of anger about the Boise wreck that killed Kevin Pavlis. Boy will face charges in accident that killed cyclist Kevin Pavlis Anger is being displayed by both sides in this battle, but I don’t see what the car drivers have to be angry about. Nobody driving a car has even been injured in any of the fatalities this year in Boise. Bicyclists have sustained all the injury and death, the only thing that drivers have lost has been a few minutes of time waiting for a safe place while passing a cyclist.

A bike wreck where they aren’t even sure if there was another vehicle involved in Jolly Olde. Teenage cyclist injured Typical UK media report, long on useless details but short on the 5W’s.

Another one of those reports with no real news in them (have I mentioned how much I hate UK media laws, this post?). Cyclist injured after collision in Exeter Same as it ever was.

And another case of ranting about the thing that is not a problem except in your mind, when other things you don’t worry about are much more dangerous. Daily Mail calls for prosecution of anti-social cyclists Cyclists kill almost nobody, drivers kill thousands, and the newspaper complains that drivers get thousands of tickets while cyclists get almost none. Hmm, I think I see a pattern here…

From Oz I’m not sure if this is the same woman killed I reported on before or if these 3 are 3 new people killed in a different part of Australia. Deadly 24 hours claim three more lives Don’t hit the pedestrians! Especially don’t kill little old ladies out walking their grandkids in strollers. It’s really a bad idea folks.

And finally is another memorial ride for more cyclists that were killed and injured which couldn’t wait for the Ride of Silence in the spring. Killed and injured bicyclists remembered at Mesa ride Sometimes you have to get the word out that drivers are getting careless and killing cyclists.

And that’s all I have today.

Billed @$.02, Opus

More on the thing that walks like a man with a medical degree, and other news In The Feed

The last 2 days have generated more traffic to this blog than I have ever seen, what with Dr. Christopher Thompson (the thing that walks like a man with a medical degree) being convicted of all 7 counts against him and BikingInLA telling me about it so I could link to their breaking story. Well that wasn’t the only story breaking in LA yesterday about people using their vehicles as weapons against cyclists.

But the big news first (other than the Blog reports) is still the conviction of TTTWLAMWAMD of 6 felonies and one misdemeanor. E.R. Doc Guilty in Road Rage Attack on Cyclists and Physician accused of deliberately injuring two bicyclists is convicted and Dr. Thompson is found guilty of all counts in LA road rage trial. and comments here Mailbag: Road rage, getting along and Floyd Landis I hope that this is just the first of many prosecutions that have previously been ignored by LEO and prosecutors for assault with motor vehicles.

Lost in the hubbub of TTTWLAMWAMD’s conviction was this tidbit. Texting Driver Guilty in Death of 14-year-old Boy He was driving under the influence of 2 powerful prescription drugs, and texting at the time he killed a cyclist, and the defense tried to make this look like an unavoidable accident due to a medical condition. I have heard some mighty weak defenses in my day, but this one is less than a kitten.

They identified the bike ninja that was hit Sunday in Austin TX. Guns, drugs found during arrest; cyclist killed on Texas 71 identified Ignore the comments unless you already have brain damage…

In the other big story of the day they finally arrested and charged the driver of the SUV that hit a cyclist head on and then made a U turn to escape. Woman charged in hit-and-run death of David Sherman and Driver charged in fatal hit-and-run of bicyclist, released on bond I love it when they publish the booking pictures of drivers that hit cyclists, they invariably look like something the cat drug in and the kittens tried to bury. From the description of the wreck released by LEO it seems this was a deliberate action on the part of the driver to try to kill or hurt a cyclist, why was she given a bond at all unless the Durango was the only vehicle she had access to. I also love that the accused’s home address was given in the article. I’m not saying to do anything bad to the person or her home, but if you happen to have a dump truck load of male bovine digestive byproduct and you need a place to get rid of it…

And in what is almost positively a cut and paste from one news source to another we have the same article from 2 very different sources. Bicyclist struck and killed by AC Transit bus in Hayward and Bicyclist Struck And Killed By AC-Transit Bus In Hayward It could be they both did the cut and paste from a press release, not one copying the other. As to the wreck I can’t tell you who was doing what from this article. Or if the cyclist was lighted and reflectorized, but since the only lights mentioned were the defective streetlights I would say the cyclist had all the legally required lights etc.

Last report if from Jolly Olde where news reports are required by law to be missing 2 Ws and the H out of the standard news reporters 5Ws and an H. Cyclist injured after Toxteth collision And people wonder why I have a tag about UK news reports.

That’s all I have tonight.

Billed @$.02, Opus

Strange referral, and the Feed

I had a couple of strange referrals today. For some reason Facebook has a click on their home page that directs people to my blog. I’m not on Facebook so I have not a clue why there would be something for people to click on that directs them here. Facebook users, could you post a comment and help me out here?

Up first is a wreck where a cyclist crossing the road was hit by a car. BRIEF: Cyclist killed in crash with car in Blaine and Bike Rider Killed In Blaine While Crossing Street And that is pretty much all I know about it at this point. Nothing on if there was a signal light, who had which signal if there was a light, stop signs, nothing.

And after what must qualify as one of the slowest lab analysis in human history, charges have been filed against the Boise teenager that left crossed a cyclist in the bike lane. Officials promise justice for cyclist Kevin Pavlis They promise justice, but because the killer was a minor we will never know about it even extending to the name of the killer…

And the man that claimed to not see a 6 foot tall driver in an orange bunny costume and her brightly lit pedicab gets a trip to jail. Man convicted in orange rabbit pedicab hit-and-run Apparently hitting someone while digging for your cell phone is OK but hit-and-run is still illegal. From this and previous reports on the wreck there wasn’t anything the pedicab operator could have done to avoid the wreck since the driver wasn’t watching and didn’t slow down.

A pair of reports on the wreck near Toronto reported on here ealier this week. Memorial in Cambridge for cyclist killed And UPDATE – Cyclist killed I fail to see where sidewalks would have made any difference in this wreck, but bad infrastructure is bad infrastructure even if it’s not our (bicyclist) infrastructure.

Apparently somebody has decided that it’s OK to have huge blind spots on big trucks because it would cost too much to fix…Cyclist Death Ruled “Accidental” Why is not being able to see an “accident” and not a defective vehicle?

A motorcycle/bicycle wreck in India puts the motorcycle rider in jail. Biker held for Shivranjini mishap A little confused as to who hit whom, but the guy on the bicycle came out the worst for it.

A loudmouth in Oz changes her tune after making a massively untrue statement on Australian national TV earlier this week. Going berko over a bisycho Yes, she did say that cyclists had no legal place on the roads earlier this week, which is contrary to the laws of every civilized nation which includes Australia, and now she’s back-pedaling so hard if she was actually riding a bicycle the tire would be smoking.

SC cyclists try to remind drivers that cars are not the only thing on the road. Cyclists urge motorists to share the road “People aren’t watching,” Connelly said. “We’re not getting any respect out there. We do have a right to the road. We’re considered a part of traffic, and drivers don’t seem to understand that.” He said it better than I could.

Same song, different verse in CA. Bikes and cars: Can we share the road? Between 1998 and 2008, for example, bike commuting in Marin County increased 66% as bicycle crashes declined 34%. The best practice is to get as many bikes on the roads as possible.

Still in LA is an article on cyclist safety that is highly car-head. Bicyclists should stay on the defensive to stay safe Watch out for cars, but don’t give up the road to them.

And that’s it for tonight, have a spooooky Halloweeeeen [evil chuckle].

Billed @$.02, Opus

Terrorist acts in ABQ, and just general stupidity, the Feed

Yep, we got terrorist acts in Albuquerque with fatal levels of stupidity elsewhere, and dangerous levels all over. I used today’s commute to church as a spin training session and managed to keep an 11.4 MPH average running a 49″ gear with hitting a top speed of 19.3 MPH twice, still running the 49″ gear. That’s a peak of 132 RPM and an average of 78. That little bit was for the people that think I spend all day at the computer, and never actually ride a bicycle. I admit my rides are getting fewer and shorter lately, but I still ride when I can, or when I need to.

Up first are those terrorist attacks on cyclists in Albuquerque. Cyclists face new hazard along paths and 3 wires strung across Albuquerque area bike paths You have to wonder about someone that sets booby traps on public right of way. All you ABQ riders be careful out there, or you could really lose your head.

A KS cyclist has a suspected run-in with a car. A woman riding her bike was killed by a hit and run OK it’s not suspected any more, they are now calling it a hit-and-run. The new article makes the wreck sound like a hit-from-behind wreck (again). I think y’all know how to find the hit-from-behind protocol in other posts in my blog.

If you’re in the area you might want to drop in on this. Concert to benefit cyclist injured in auto collision The driver that did the hit-and-run on this guy is facing charges, but to be honest the consequences of those charges are minor.

A typical UK wreck report. Cyclist, 12, killed

As the trial is completed we finally get to know what happened in the wreck of Derek Witt. Drink-driver Michael Filgate cheated us of Derek Witt, says family and Cyclist’s death ‘a devastating blow to family’ The cocktail of drugs and alcohol in the driver’s system was just phenomenal, that he was even capable of getting the car started was amazing. Unfortunate but amazing. He got seven and a half years in prison and that appears to be the extent of his punishment, no lifetime driving ban after he gets out of prison, since he was already driving without a license.

Oz is the location for the next several reports.

A teenager is charged in the hit-and-run killing of a cyclist. Teenager charged over cyclist death The list of charges are appalling.

Another hit-and-run in Oz. Cyclist killed in hit-and-run Not a good weekend to be a cyclist in Oz, eh?

Still things are looking up in some parts of Australia. Safety in numbers for cyclists

Enn Zed has a frustrating issue with a drunk driver. Drunk granny gets licence back Yes, incredible as it might sound, they could only hold her license for 4 weeks after a fatal wreck with an alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit.

A web page has been started to support a cyclist killed in Enn Zed. Webpage honours cyclist killed in hit and run I hope they catch the driver and then forget where they left him or her, for 50 years or so…

Finally an article on overcoming car-head thinking. Perspective: How to keep roads safe for cyclicsts Well, we can hope for the future, but right now there are too many people that have never seen a road except through the windshield of a car.

And that’s all for today.

Billed @$.02, Opus

Another trip to the Lab Rat Keeper, and now the Feed

I survived another trip to the lab rat keeper, and actually maintained my weight in spite of getting not one, not two, not even three, but four birthday cakes since the last visit. (Everybody said, “He likes to eat, lets get him a cake instead of a present.”) My blood tests came back within normal limits for everything tested. I was advised again to get some kind of medic alert to let people know I might have as much as 2 seconds between heartbeats if found unconscious otherwise I might be mistaken for dead when I’m just knocked out. Seriously, after 3 cups of coffee for breakfast and walking a half mile from the bus stop my pulse was 48. If taken first thing after getting up I might have a resting pulse of less than 30.

Up first because it’s almost local is this report from Austin. Austin cyclist killed in Miss. This is another cyclist killed on the first (only?) Federally designated bike route, without legal repercussions to the driver (so far). Use hit-from-behind protocol to keep yourself from winding up the same way, maybe.

Still in TX a driver trying to evade LEO runs a stop sign and kills a cyclist just minding his own beeswax. Bicyclist Killed In Waco Hit-And-Run Identified This was not an avoidable wreck by anything the cyclist could have done short of not being there.

A bike ninja is hit by an SUV, another one of those DARPA vehicles that rides around without a driver. Bicyclist injured in Truro crash flown to Boston Hospital with serious injuries Lights and reflectors, people. Don’t give the hater drivers an excuse to hit you.

A MI rider is killed while riding the inside lane of travel, which kind of precludes the “I didn’t see him” defense. Bicyclist struck by car, killed Aside from that, I don’t have anything more to tell you.

Another reason why you have to look when you ride through a stop sign. Bicyclist not injured in Tuesday collision Yes, look before you cross!

Another hit-and-run between a bicycle and a semi. Driver says he didn’t know he hit and killed bicyclist in Redwood Shores From what I was able to find out about this wreck, the cyclist was in the driver’s right side blind spot and unable to get away when the truck turned right. To avoid finding yourself in a similar situation move to the right when a semi passes you, the driver probably won’t know you’re to his right unless he can see you. And because of the enormous mass of a semi compared to yours (80,000 pounds of truck to maybe 300 pounds of you and your bike) there is zilch chance of the driver even feeling the impact. Among my many careers I used to drive a big rig, so I know this first hand and also know drivers that stayed with the job. A driver I knew actually knocked over a small cinderblock building with the rear tandem of the trailer loaded to the maximum weight limit of about 60,000 pounds, and he never knew it until he got to his next destination about 50 miles away.

An article from MT tells how not to bust your butt while riding this winter. Experts, students share tips on winter biking This is good advice from people that have done it before. No wrecks, unless you count the thousands of times you lose traction and slide out.

Other countries are noticing our cycling death toll. Bicycle injuries in U.S. becoming more severe Yeah, when Indian news agencies write up articles saying you are killing and maiming too many cyclists, you have a problem.

A cyclist is injured in the Emerald Isle of Ireland. Cyclist injured in Holywood LEO are not even sure how the cyclist had his wreck, but they want to talk to the driver of a red Jeep.

Hit-and-run, the international language of motoring. Hit-and-driver sought after cyclist critically injured Yep, pickup truck drivers are pretty much the same the world over.

Still in Enn Zed, a discussion of a major bike route and the negative interactions between cars and bicycles. Critically injured cyclist on mend as Tamaki Drive forum looms Aaannnd the comments section is full of fools demanding that cyclists be registered, taxed, and licensed like drivers, ignoring the fact that drivers are licensed because they use WMDs for transportation.

A debate in Seattle over the legal infrastructure. Cyclists call for tougher driving laws in Seattle and Deadly car vs. bike accidents: Should they be a crime? Should death by car be raised in seriousness? Is there a criminal connection between not perceiving a cyclist is there because he isn’t a threat and letting that non-perception kill? Or just where it can be proved the driver actually used their car as a deadly weapon? What would the penalty be for killing someone with a firearm in a similar situation?

Do you have a friend or relative who was wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan? Have you ever wondered what you could do personally for that veteran? ‘Spin for Soldiers’ fundraiser in Croton supports wounded veterans

If you have a basket on your Electra bicycle you might want to turn it back in to the dealer for a replacement following this recall. More Electra Bikes Recalled Due to Defective Baskets, Trays

A model for re-using the US Highway system that existed before the Interstate System was built. Off the Interstate: Turning ‘Blue Highways’ Green This is basically the way I use to get from city to city on my bike, except I use the existing version not the enhanced version in the plan that is presented in the article.

And that’s all I have today.

Billed @$.02, Opus

Another dreary day in TX, and then there’s the Feed

I woke to another dark and rainy day in TX, and was working my second cup of coffee when I started to read the Feed. I needed 2 more cups of coffee to get through it. Not so much because of the large size of the Feed, but because it was as dreary as the day. You’ll see what I mean.

Up first for no particular reason is a NY report on a cyclist that was hit by a car running a stop sign. Greenport bicyclist injured Again, assault with a deadly weapon with no consequences. The driver wasn’t even given a ticket for running the stop sign, much less for almost killing a 61 YO cyclist that actually stopped at the stop sign. As for how to avoid, this is one you can’t avoid, you have to be able to depend on drivers to follow traffic controls in order to be safe. This one was all on the driver of the WMD, who didn’t comply with the law and hit the cyclist.

Another report on the cyclist in FL that hit a pole and crashed. Bicyclist Crashes Into Pole, Nearly Killed Now we know the cyclist was riding on the sidewalk, which was obstructed, when he hit the pole. Don’t ride on sidewalks.

“Doctor” Christopher Thompson is finally facing his day in court for the 2008 assault with a deadly weapon against 2 cyclists. California road-rage case heads for court I don’t see much hope for the “doctor” in this case, he admitted he assaulted the cyclists “to teach them a lesson” freely to a police officer, all that should be left is the sentencing. His only hope is that somehow the defense manages to exclude everyone from the jury that rides a bicycle on the road or has a relative that rides a bicycle on the road. The prosecution should also attempt to exclude everyone who drives a car if the defense tries this strategy.

From Wales in the UK comes this tribute to a keen cyclist killed at a dangerous intersection. Family’s tribute to teen cyclist killed in North Wales crash Still nothing about the wreck, not even for the family of the deceased.

And from Oz, a totally spaced driver. Motorist drunk, high when he hit cyclist – court Four times the legal limit for alcohol, plus LSD? And he killed one cyclist and almost killed a second? This guy is a candidate for the application of the LART about the head and shoulders until no longer stupid. (LART, Loser Attitude Re-adjustment Tool AKA big hammer)

What do you do when there’s a bear in the road, and she’s not happy about you being there? Terror on the trail: Bear attacks teen bike racer This isn’t the normal type of road hazard outside AK, but is common there. Locals recommend bear spray, a pepper spray that is actually too strong for police use against humans, as a deterrent. But they also say that as bad as bear spray is it won’t stop a truly angry bear from attacking you.

And another in a series of infrastructure articles from MD. Shared lane markings come to city streets Every little bit helps, but the markings in the illustration are wrong as they place the cyclist right in the middle of the door zone. They need to be about 4 feet to the left to be safe.

And that’s the whole Feed for today. I’m going to go for a rain ride as soon as I can get some fenders to keep the muck off my clothes.

Billed @$.02, Opus

They can’t all be Zircons, the Feed

Looking over my site stats yesterday’s article and rant generated a lot of traffic and has become my most-commented single article with heat on both sides of the issue. That’s good, as a journalist if I’m not getting some negative responses from the readers I know I’m not getting to the people that I need to be getting to. So, even if you don’t agree with me you need to be here to contribute to the debate. I promise to not do a Limbaugh on you and call you names if you don’t agree with everything I post, you poopy-headed imbeciles

But enough of the self-congratulations, there was another Feed and more people were hurt and/or killed while riding their bicycles.

Another of those DARPA cars went on a rampage and killed a man riding a bicycle gasp in the middle of the road! St. Mary’s Bicyclist Killed and better coverage Breakfast links: Heroes and scofflaws The driver in this case should be in jail for admitting she was driving while impaired. “I didn’t see him” is an admission of guilt, not an excuse.

Seattle LEO are continuing to investigate a hit-and-run to try to apprehend the driver. Police extend investigation into bike-car collision I applaud the Seattle PD for investigating so long, but ask why they just didn’t treat this like an attempted homicide and arrest the registered owner of the weapon (car)? If the owner wasn’t the one driving then he would let LEO know who was driving or face prison for obstruction of justice. Why is that concept so hard to grasp when the weapon is a motor vehicle?

Prosecution is ongoing in a PA hit-and-run reported here earlier this year. Hearing For Oakland Hit-And-Run Case Continues And it seems that someone was listening when I suggested checking Internet comments sections looking for comments that match the MO of hit-and-run drivers that hit cyclists to prove intent. If the comment IP addy matches any computers the suspect had access to, then charge him with murder, because the comment said he was going to hit and hurt a cyclist.

A traffic calming measure meant to slow down cars takes out a cyclist. Bike vs. bulbout: Missoula woman injured in crash I will say at the start that this was not an infrastructure issue, it was a car-head issue. The wreck was caused when the cyclist tried to let the car behind have room it was not entitled to, because either she was afraid of being hit, or because of thinking the car was going faster and should be allowed the room. Both are wrong, the vehicle in front of 2 going in the same direction has the right of way, regardless of which one was going faster. If the driver of the faster vehicle wants to pass the one in front, then the driver must wait until there is room to safely pass. And that’s the law in all 50 states and DC. Even in MT.

Those DARPA driverless vehicles have escaped all the way to Canuckistan! Cyclist Injured In Grande Prairie Another hit-and-run by a vehicle without a driver, when will the CARnage cease? Also this was a hit from behind wreck which usually leaves lots of evidence on the vehicle involved and sometimes on the victim.

And someone in Canada is starting to make sense in calling for bike education about the laws of the road. First driver’s-ed, now bike-ed This is basic survival skills training, why has it taken so long to become part of the curriculum?

And hard as it may be to believe, that’s all I got today.

Billed @$.02, Opus