Feeling lazy, and the Feed

I think it might be related to the change in the seasons, or maybe the person that makes the coffee in the morning (see-through coffee! sacrilege) but I have been feeling a touch on the lethargic side today. I mean it took forever to get through the funnies today even with blowing off the comments sections. And I still have more chores to finish, like replacing the wheel I replaced the tube on yesterday and putting it back on the bike, and taking the letter with the new check for the artist that won the tattoo contest last year that replaces the check that was wandering all over Canada to the Post Office to put the correct postage on it (that one might have to wait until Monday as it is already too late to get to the Post Office on the bus before it closes). And I really need to mow the lawn but I can’t get the mower to crank over in this cold weather we are having.

Up first, current law in DC is that if there is any possible thing an injured pedestrian or cyclist could have done to prevent a wreck that injured them, then they get nothing even if the driver of the weapon vehicle was 100% at fault. Trying to get this changed is having a rough time getting through. Bill to change compensation for injured walkers, cyclists stalls again Seriously I think they are just delaying this to make the next council have to deal with it so they don’t have to explain why they voted it down to prosecutors.

A stolen trike in PA. Sentinel police log for Nov. 13 Look near the bottom of the Carlisle PD log. Seriously, who doesn’t like Unlawful Falafel? That’s just wrong.

Umm, what is this supposed to accomplish, really? Bin lorries get warning signs for cyclists This might help the one or two cyclists who get hit after passing garbage trucks at the curb waiting for the light to turn, but what about the ones hit waiting at the light before the truck gets there, or the ones who can’t see the back of the truck because there is a bus in front of it (which would blind that bicycle sensor BTW)?

Last link is from WoaB’s favorite artist Bikeyface. SHARING I’m with using a cartoon spokesthing on kids’ shows (I nominate “Sammy the Sharing Squirrel”) with examples of what “Share the Road” really means, but BMUFL signs are better than “Share the Road” for the short term. I really need to do a series of short scripts for the PSA for Cartoon Network this Sunday, to be shown during Adult Swim… Yes, I’m getting slightly excited about the concept.

And those are all the links I had today, really there was next to nothing in the Google Alerts and not much more in my online newspapers.

Billed @€0.02, Opus the unkillable badass Poet

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Things are a little less hectic around here, and the Feed

An unstable détente has been reached between the tenants of Casa de El Poeta, but I’m still keeping the shovel handy for quick disposal of the bodies. Things have gotten more than a bit crazy around here as accusations and counter-accusations fly like hornets, but at the moment the metaphorical knives have been put away as most of the crew has gone to get dinner as the last of the laundry dries. Some of the stuff that happened was just crazy, and I wish I could tell y’all about it.

Up first, can people stop putting these things in internet comment sections when there is an article about bicycles? 9 Things Drivers Need to Stop Saying in the Bikes vs. Cars Debate I know this triggers that twitch from the “One Crazy Thing…” meme that people use to sell crap that doesn’t work, but this is the real thing.

A cyclist is killed by bad infrastructure in this edition of our Daily Ted. Morning Links: Dangerous SaMo corner, LA Calbike board members, East LA man killed in bike dispute In this case it’s bad car infrastructure, and some other links in there as well.

Mass protests against crap infrastructure are planned for the UK. Join us on Saturday to demand Roads Fit For Humans! WoaB heartily approves this event.

Even “crack” NYPD drivers sometimes find themselves unable to avoid a wreck when someone turns in front of them. Video: Teen Rescued After Being Struck & Pinned By NYPD Van Driver

NYPD Infrastructure FAIL! 70th Precinct Fines People for Choosing a Safe Place to Walk or Bike at Night Imagine closing down a street at dusk because crimes are committed on it after dark, instead of maybe catching the criminals or something?

I’m hoping this doesn’t devolve into another “helmets and hi-viz” program. Street Smart traffic safety program aims to protect cyclists, pedestrians

How to build a bike to go more than 80 MPH using the power of a single rider, from a guy that has been innovating bicycles for more than 20 years. Graeme Obree: We’re building a dragster The trick is to get the aero right, and then get the power production right with ergonomics, then get the handling right when you get the bike up to those rarefied speeds.

A problem with the legal infrastructure in BC. People seldom charged when cyclists get ‘doored,’ Vancouver data shows In spite of there being potential criminal charges when someone gets the “door prize”, LEO doesn’t want to get involved. Tough! “Getting involved” is their freaking job, ignoring this crime is discrimination against the victims.

This bit really gets to me, as the victim was trying to fix the world. Cycle death claimed health care champion This is Not A Wreck article.

A pop-up bike trailer that is a camper for 2 people. This foldable bicycle camper lets you live comfortably on the road Mrs. the Poet and I could sleep quite nicely in this for a few days at a time. I don’t see this working for much more than a long weekend though.

And those are all the links I could stand to read.

Billed @€0.02, Opus the unkillable badass Poet