Finally got some money, and the Feed

The check came in this morning, so I’ll be out running around paying bills and making deposits and stuff tomorrow instead of going with Mrs. the Poet to shop for groceries. There won’t be a big difference for the blog, just for my selection of salty snacks. I think I might have to give up meditation to get my BP up high enough to make the grade for the new test med, because cutting my current meds in half doesn’t quite do it, and eating salty snacks doesn’t do it either. I’m barely at 110/80 now.

Up first, wait, what?!?

Another cow caught stealing a bicycle…… pic.twitter.com/7gtONxicdn

— classicretro (@classicretro) March 30, 2016

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And closer to home.

Crews Finally Add Last Block of 2-Way Protected Bike Lane in Downtown Houston pic.twitter.com/DyjHLsSstv

— StreetsblogTexas (@StreetsblogTex) March 30, 2016

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Our Daily Ted. Morning Links: Downtown bike lanes draw new brewery, new bollards on Vineland and a new LA Bike Fest video

Unknown mode of wreck in MN. Bicycle rider killed by car in Sartell and Bicyclist Struck, Killed In Sartell As of this posting all I know is there was a cyclist hit by an unknown vehicle and possibly left for dead making this a possible probable hit-and-run.

Victim blaming in the Great White North. Cyclists share responsibility for accidents More blaming the victim for not wearing the GITDCS that drivers seem to think every cyclist should wear 24/7 when riding. Instead of you know, actually looking more than 20 feet in front of the vehicle.

Right hook in far West Canuckistan. Cyclist dies in collision with truck in Victoria’s Chinatown and Cyclist, 73, struck and killed in downtown Victoria I zoomed in on the picture of the crime scene and the only truck visible was a COE with good forward and side vision. So, aside from using the standard protocols posted in the links at the top of the page what could be done to prevent this wreck? They were already using the delivery vehicle with the best outward vision, the cyclist was wearing clothing that made her visible, what else could be done? EDIT: As I was getting ready to move from the first link to the next link the page updated with a much better picture of the crime scene showing the actual delivery vehicle having a conventional cab that is blind to a large area in front and to the right where the cyclist was hit. So going back to the question, replacing the delivery vehicle with a COE flat van and a glass door to the right would be a massive help.

Speaking of the devil, here’s an article from Jolly Olde on just that kind of vehicle, this one in a trash hauler. Pioneering lorries with panoramic view hit the streets in bid to save cyclists’ lives

Also from the UK is this factoid from the trial of a killer driver. Janina Gehlau: Lorry driver ‘should have seen cyclist for up to five seconds’ before fatal collision The cyclist was using the infrastructure as designed, the driver of the weapon vehicle should have been looking in the direction he was planning on driving before actually proceeding through that space, I believe the colloquial phrasing is “Looked where he was going”.

This is an aspect of UK jurisprudence that I would dearly love to see here in the US. Cyclist injured in fall from bike due to road ‘hazard’ awarded damages after suing council for ‘negligence’ Injured or incur property damage because of crappy infrastructure? Sue the government body responsible for it not being crappy.

Now this just sucks. Man pushes cyclist off BMX and rides off on it I try not to wish harm to another human being, really I do, but this guy needs to get hit by an HGV turning left at a stop light since this is over in Jolly Olde where they drive on the wrong side of the road.

Another rider in Oz hits a parked car? Qld rider killed after hitting parked car Seriously this is two this week.

More on the 73 YO driver that killed a cyclist in Oz. Hit-and-run driver charged over WA cyclist

Back in the US, SF infrastructure! TWIN PEAKS FOR EVERYONE OK let me get this out or I’m going to explode: “That’s one fine cuppa coffee” .

And how do you get bike parking? How Portland’s oldest Buddhist temple got better bike parking Sometimes you have to DIY.

And here it is not even midnight and I’m outta links, Gigi is going to be so happy.

Billed @€0.02, Opus

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I broke a tooth last night, and the Feed

I had a piece come off one of my few remaining teeth last night as I was putting the post to bed. It’s a very strange situation, half of the front of one of my incisors just fell off the tooth while I was eating a crunch candy bar. Notice the “crunch” is not capitalized because Mrs. the Poet bought generic candy at the Dollar Store rather than the name brand stuff. I don’t think the fact that the candy was not brand had anything to do with ¹/₄ of the tooth coming off. At the moment it isn’t uncomfortable except for the sharp edge that was left exposed to my lip and I have managed to only cut myself on that the once. But I have to remember that I have a broken tooth and bite and chew accordingly.

Early Christmas gift notice. Dumbing of Age: The Fifth Book Collection I love the title of the book. Seriously, love. And I want a physical paper book, not just the PDF. I’m old fashioned that way. I have a bunch of books on PDF but I also have many tons of paper books.

Up first is Our Daily Ted. Morning Links: A very sad weekend in bike racing, and bikesplaining from a windshield perspective That “windshield perspective” link is a riot.

Local but not actually bike related. Driver to face charges in West Dallas crash that killed 3 children How fast was he going to kill three people inside a light armored vehicle, and critcally injure another, while also inflicting injuries on the driver?

Another driver runs a stop sign hitting a cyclist on a through street and LEO can’t decide if the driver should be charged? Broomfield cyclist injured after car collision The one earlier was in CA this one is in CO. And to answer the question, the driver ran a stop sign and caused injury to a cyclist with the right of way, you better at least give a ticket, if not an assault charge.

Hit-and-run wreck in IL. UPDATE: Altamont Man Riding Bicycle Struck and Killed on Route 40 Monday Morning, Search for Driver That Left the Scene Continues Hit-from-behind wreck or maybe just a buzz job that killed because of aerodynamic effects causing the rider to get caught in the rear wheels.

Nice little infrastructure fight in NJ. Bike-Share Fight Brews in New Jersey You can ride your out-of-town bike-share bike but you can’t park it because, it ain’t our bike-share bike. Sure that will pass muster with the constitutional folks?

And since we are discussing NJ infrastructure why not NYC? The Official (Mostly Accurate) 2016 NYC Bike Map Is Here Looks nice, but most bike infrastructure looks nice when it’a lines on paper.

And since we are in NY here is the NYP take on the stupid rich guy riding a bike from L.A. to Vegas in less than 48 hours for a $1.2 million bet. Instagram playboy reveals why he’s risking his life for $600K OK 10 years ago this would not be that big a deal for me to do since I was riding 120 miles round trip to have lunch with a friend, but since having “Chris Christie” move in and be evicted from my neck I probably couldn’t do this in the time limit today.

How to fund cycling infrastructure while reducing carbon pollution. Comment of the Week: Raise the gas tax one penny per fatality If this had been in effect for last year using the 2013 fatalities there would be a $52.80/gal tax on gas last year, because it usually takes until August or September to get all the vulnerable users totalled up and then the tax would go into effect the next year after that. The tax would be $56.04 nationally this year. OR would have a $0.64/gallon tax based on the 2014 statistics while we in TX would be ponying an extra $5.26/gallon. Yes I think this would be an excellent way of reducing vulnerable user fatalities, both because drivers will be incentivized to not hit vulnerable users and as a way to build infrastructure that protects vulnerable users from motor vehicles.

Another infrastructure article from America’s Copenhagen. Guest article: Want safer streets? Ask for them I guess asking nicely would work, if there was an “Or else” with teeth attached to it.

More from the DIY DoT in Portland. What are all these unauthorized orange traffic cones telling us? They are telling us that the bike lanes are incomplete without something sticking up to keep drivers out of them.

And tragedy in Portland. Gresham police say 10-year-old boy’s death on Burnside is “horrible accident” This is one of those wrecks that human nature and bad infrastructure combine to create a situation with no winners.

Do you know the words before you click the link? The three words that mean so much when they come from a cyclist. “Also known as calling your pass.”

Wreck in West Canuckistan. Cyclist, 73, killed in collision with delivery truck in Victoria Truck wreck with a cyclist at an intersection, probably a right hook but since LEO aren’t telling anything we don’t know.

Infrastructure article from Jolly Olde. Chris Boardman dismisses Janet Street-Porter’s anti-cycle infrastructure article as shouting and stamping devoid of logic

Still in the UK, this guy did something extraordinary. Tamworth man completes gruelling 1,000 mile cycling challenge John o’Groats to Land’s End is comparable to riding from Texarcana to El Paso by way of Brownsville or Amarillo.

Another extraordinary achievement in Jolly Olde. Shanaze Reade sets Guinness World Record – for cycling Wall of Death Of course a track cyclist would be good for this. It’s like the world’s smallest and steepest banked velodrome.

Another link to that attempted murder in Oz. Police seize car in connection with hit and run that left cyclist in critical condition Get ‘im! grr!

Another wreck in Oz. UPDATE: Cyclist, 78, killed in freak accident If witness accounts are to be believed he may have had some kind of medical condition just prior to hitting the parked vehicle while riding uphill. Or in other words he wasn’t going fast enough to get injured from the impact, much less killed, so something must have happened before the wreck.

More wreck news from Oz. Police question man after cyclist killed in hit-and-run near Perth [facepalm] Seventy-three years old and “didn’t know” he hit anything.[/facepalm] And there was a second cyclist hit who didn’t even merit a separate article… More Three dead in Easter Monday crashes as weekend toll rises to four

Still in Oz. Loved ones remember man with passion for cycling and humour

Responding to the many injuries and the death in the pro peloton. The Elephant Not in the Room

The good news is getting on your bike will cause you to lose a few pounds. Middle-aged cycle commuters typically 4-5kg lighter than those who drive to work The bad news is unless you restrict calorie intake and really push your commutes long you probably won’t lose much past that initial loss. Of course you really don’t “need” to because your fat to lean ratio will be so improved.

Review of an e-assist bike. Testing the Bosch Edgerunner This is a mid-drive bike as opposed to the cheaper but less able hub motor bikes.

And while we are on e-assist, here is a cell comparison for the ones who make their own packs. Ebenezer Scrooge’s 18650 Ebike Battery Shopping Guide For 2016 If you make your own packs you can get bleeding edge performance for a season, maybe a year. That’s how much the technology is moving, still. It’s not the same as when I was doing experiments with SLA just as NiMH cells became cheaply available and you could get twice the capacity at half the weight, but there are still major advances out there in capacity and especially current delivery.

And it’s after 0400, I’m going to bed. Sorry Gigi for posting late again.

Billed @$0.02, Opus

Unlike Garfield I have a reason to hate Mondays, and the Feed

Yeah, I used that headline once before so sue me. I just opened the Feed folder and … UGH! Just the headlines from the first story in each report makes my stomach churn. I might have to take another Mental Hygiene Break shortly.

On another note there will be a break coming this summer. My 40^th HS reunion is coming up the first part of August, which will require I take a trip to Salt Lake City. I haven’t been back to SLC since 1978, it will be interesting to see the changes since then. There was a local hamburger chain called “Arctic Circle” that was everywhere back then, I want to find out if any are left.

Up first is Our Daily Ted. Morning Links: Belgian cyclist killed in wreck with race moto; 7 of the 8 most dangerous Valley intersections

Remember the psycho attacking cyclists last year in the Twin Cities? Police: Bicyclist Hit, Critically Injured Near Uptown Mpls. I can’t say this had anything to do with what went down last year, but with the lack of any reporting from LEO that’s still on the table. 🙂

When the criminal courts won’t prosecute, you have to resort to the civil courts. Bicyclist’s family files wrongful death suit When a person goes blind but doesn’t stop driving even after several wrecks, and finally kills someone because they are driving blind there should be greater repercussions than just losing your driver’s license. Just saying, it was already illegal for this guy to be driving, and all they did was make it illegal for him to be driving, how is that any kind of punishment? Did they put him on “double, secret, probation” to go along with the loss of the already-lost license?

A wreck in DE. Bicyclist killed in crash along U.S. 13 in Dover and Del. police investigate crash that killed cyclist The geometry of this wreck screams stale green/yellow for the cyclist, and a driver not paying attention to what is in front of him. Or that he was lying about which vehicle ran the red light.

Another SWCC wreck in the most deadliest state in the US to walk or ride a bike. Bicyclist Struck and Killed in Jackson County Since I can’t see the wreckage I can’t say for certain this is a crock, but the smell is certainly there. The cyclist being hauled unconscious from the scene means the only voice in this story was the driver’s.

Crap infrastructure in the UK is unlikely to get better. Government’s laughable cycling blueprint does nothing to boost safety You can’t make world-class bicycle infrastructure when you have literally no budget to build anything. I mean 2.1% of the motor vehicle budget (unless they are using “billion” as “million million” in which case that is .0021%) would build 1 project per year in the entire UK for the next 5 years as long as that project was just paint on existing pavement, otherwise it’s one project for the 5 year span.

Instead of proper infrastructure, cyclists get accused of “hogging” the roads. Cycling groups in Cambridge area told to stop hogging roads by police but riders hit back at drivers Can’t ride in the road, can’t ride on the sidewalks, are cyclist supposed to just float?

Are cats the vector for road rage? Study: Parasite hosted by cats may cause road rage I can confidently say my kitties have never caused me to lose control.

People have been saying that if something wasn’t done about the massive caravan that follows and mingles with the back of the peloton at pro races someone was going to get killed. Tragedy strikes pro peloton: Belgian rider Antoine Demoitié killed by race moto at Gent-Wevelgem “Someone” is named Antoine Demoitié.

More on the ghastly hit-and-run murder attempt in Oz. Australian driver ‘deliberately swerved’ to mow down cycling dad and Car seized in relation to running down Victorian cyclist If they don’t charge the driver with attempted murder… TANJ!

And the same weekend as the incident in the previous paragraph. Bottle hurled at cyclists along Bruce Highway The only thing that prevented a tragedy in this case was the total lack of athleticism of the passenger in the ute. I have seen children throw with better accuracy than that idjit.

Crap infrastructure is not helped by squads of crap drivers. Torquay’s Horseshoe bend needs safety works, say cyclists after latest crash And cue the comments section for brainless demands for cyclist taxes, registration, and insurance to “pay for” the roads that cyclists are already overpaying for. I say when drivers can stop speeding, running red lights and stop signs, running in to other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians, then they should start to get roads paved and potholes repaired. And maybe a freeway or two. There was one good comment:”@Velo Velo, you need to sign up to the ATO’s cyclist rebate scheme. They assessed my taxable income last year as $0 and handed back all the GST i paid. The ATO also let council know you’re a cyclist and boom. No rates. And then if you buy a house, the state government waive the stamp duty. It’s pretty sweet. No wonder the anti cycling mob are furious.”

And things are just bad for everybody in this part of Oz. Horror start to year on Mornington Peninsula with six people killed on roads since January Really 6 people in less than 3 months is a “horror”? We had 16 people killed here in TX this weekend Complete Texas accident reports and news.

And why there are ghost bikes in Oz. The haunting purpose of Rebekka Meyer’s ghost bike

This Li-Al battery looks like it might make e-assist bikes practical. Chinese researchers develop new battery technology Putting the Lithium into the electrolyte and using carbon and aluminum electrodes means the lithium never has to form a lattice while charging, drastically increasing the energy storage and cycle life.

And I finally ran out of links.

Billed @€0.02, Opus

Happy Easter on Wreck-Free Sunday!

Not going to say much today. I wish the happiest of Easters to the ones who truly follow Him, and know the meaning of his message. I’ll give you a hint: He drove the moneychangers out of the temple with a whip, but sat down for dinner with prostitutes and tax collectors. He healed the sick and the blind, but sent the rich man away until he gave away all his possessions. He saved the lover of a Centurion in spite of their same-sex relationship.

Remember the greatest part of the story of Jesus was not his birth, not his life, but his death and resurrection. The other stuff was important, too, but the resurrection was the important, important part.

If you truly follow Him, we are not enemies for we share a common goal. It’s all you other ones who claim His name but do the opposite of his teachings that I have the problem with.

PSA, Opus

Another late night coming, and the Feed

Yep, I know this one won’t get out until after Gigi loses her Internet access (sorry Gigi) at 0300 CDT. I don’t know what time of day that is for her, but that is a strange time of day to lose Internet access, you know what I mean? And I’m still puzzled over how she’s getting on the Information Superhighway, seeing as how she lacks fingers and thumbs to use a standard device, and had serious difficulty expressing herself verbally without resorting to certain 4,7, and 13 letter words that are generally not used in polite company (some that I didn’t use around her, I don’t swear in Yiddish). So how she gets online is a question that may never get answered.

Up first is Our Daily Ted. Morning Links: Bike collisions down across LA, hit-and-runs up in IE, and special offer on a new lighted backpack That’s a nice backpack, shame I hove zero chance at it.

Still in CA. PUBLIC SAFETY: Number of Inland area hit-and-run accidents soaring Make hit-and-run fatalities equivalent in punishment to murder and raise the budget to investigate the deaths so that it would be highly unlikely that you would not get arrested, and require that all vehicles used to commit hit-and-run be destroyed in the most public way possible, and in short order you would get people deciding that staying and taking the lower punishment and keeping your car would be the wisest course of action.

I still say this person was riding in the inside lane in preparation to make a left turn when she was hit from behind. Cyclist killed by car was loved by many

Also still in CA. Two die in separate gang-related shootings in Santa Ana Avoiding this is about as easy as avoiding a flat-black car running without headlights at night and at high speed from behind you. You literally can’t see this coming.

A little closer to home, they found the lowlife who killed a cyclist and ran away in NOLA. Driver arrested in fatal hit-and-run that killed Monique Massey, NOPD says and Police make arrest in crash that killed bicyclist There is some dispute about the color of the weapon vehicle, but that is just an example of why eye-witness testimony is so unreliable, /especially when one of the witnesses was close to being another victim.

Just two days ride south of WoaB World HQ in the Beautiful Suburbs of Hell. Cyclist injured in hit-and-run; police seek driver Left cross, minor traffic ticket. Leaving the scene of an injury wreck, felony with mandatory prison. Watching an idiot get abused by cops for being an idiot, priceless.

Another link to that story of the cyclist hit in WA that used an internet comment section to identify the weapon vehicle. Cyclist has life-threatening in hit-and-run crash Again, a hearty “Thanks” to the readers of Jalopnik for their outstanding contribution to solving this crime.

Down the coast a bit from that wreck, infrastructure news from America’s Copenhagen. Surprise! Gasoline sellers dominate funding of campaign to stop Portland gas tax

This is just soooo Portland. City preps for Bernie Sanders rally with extra bike parking Yep, Bernie’s coming, better get the bike valets ready… 😀

The DIY DoT in Portland calls itself the Portland “Transformation” Bureau, and they have been busy. Portland ‘Transformation’ bureau unveils a new trick: ’20 is Plenty’ signs

Somebody ran a stop sign in Casa Grande. Bicyclist struck by car in CG flown to hospital If I’m looking at the Street View of the wreck right. the cyclist was on the through street and the driver ran the stop sign.

On the other coast in CT. Cyclist clipped and injured on Route 107 The narrative suggests a buzz job or punishment pass, either way use the hit-from-behind protocols to prevent or reduce injury.

It isn’t even officially open yet, but it has been wrecked twice? Updated: Driver damage to bike lane barrier now at $15,000 You know bicycle infrastructure would be a lot cheaper if so much work wasn’t required to keep people from driving on it.

Flori-not-duh. Miami-Dade Merges Public Works, Transportation Into One Agency They both work basically the same place. I mean think of it, how many times have you seen street built and made perfectly smooth, and then 6 months to maybe 2 years later they tear it up to repair or replace the sewers or water mains or maybe the storm drains, when if they had done that while the streets were already torn up while they were replaced it would have cost less and when they got done the streets would stay smooth an in great shape for many years to come. When they patch the street after doing work months or years after the street was rebuilt the street is never as smooth and it jut keeps getting worse and worse at the edges of those patches until they have to get repatched and then potholes start forming and long before it should be the street needs to be rebuilt again.

Another LEO acts like bike helmets protect children from getting hit by cars. Trooper donates helmets after student’s bike accident Kids being kids there will probably be a few wrecks, and maybe one or two kids will not get hurt as bad because they had a helmet on. Also kids being kids a large number will get disgusted at wearing the helmets and stop riding bikes and develop some kind of disease caused by inactivity. And the number of kids who quit will greatly outnumber the kids who didn’t get hurt because they had a helmet on.

I had to look up where this was to figure out why a large group of Americans would be riding bikes there “Belize is a country on the eastern coast of Central America. It is the only country in Central America whose official language is English.” Wikipedia. Five Cyclist Injured on Highway in Western Belize

Humorous infrastructure from Jolly Olde. ‘This cyclist is mortal’: acerbic T-shirts warn drivers of their behaviour Dying is not so bad, it’s that bit between the injury that kills you and actually being dead that is a B*tch. And then the part where you come back alive after being dead? Mother %*$(#$ that hurts!

Oh come on! Hunt for Vic hit-run motorist and Do you know this car? Police release image of car wanted over Ballarat hit-run This was no “accident”, this was attempted murder. No way for a human cyclist to avoid a wreck like this.

Still in Oz. Two cyclist hurt in Vic hit-and-run crash This is another link to that 2 out of 3 wreck I posted on yesterday.

And I’m finally out of links. See you Sunday.

Billed @€0.02, Opus

We had pizza for dinner, it must be Grocery Day, and the Feed

Yep, grocery day means cheap frozen pizza for dinner. Not that that’s bad, just routine. We didn’t have to buy much this week because of all the stuff we got last week.

The Big Story today is a hit-and-run in WA. BELLEVUE POLICE SEEK VEHICLE THAT HIT, BADLY INJURED BICYCLE RIDER and Bellevue cyclist nearly killed by hit and run driver also Injured woman found on Bellevue bike path; police searching for hit-and-run driver and the one that grabbed my attention Motor magazine readers help police ID hit-and-run car Yep, a bunch of gear-heads went out of their way to identify the weapon vehicle used to injure a cyclist on a bike path. If I’m reading the narrative correctly the cyclist was either hit standing in the bike path waiting to cross an intersection, or hit crossing with the right of way. Whichever mode was in effect, I really don’t see any way for a human cyclist to avoid this wreck, especially the one where she was waiting to cross. BOLO for the weapon vehicle, a 2013-15 Honda Accord with a broken headlight.

Our Daily Ted. Morning Links: Connecting the dots in LA doping scandal; bike routes through Camp Pendleton closed next week I ask you, would car drivers tolerate the only safe route through an area getting closed with no alternative designated?

First of several infrastructure articles from America’s Copenhagen. Neighborhood association demands immediate investment in Cully Blvd after latest fatality The street in question is basically a speedway built when engineers were applying highway construction standards to city streets to make then “safer”.

More infrastructure on a larger scale of mind. Janette Sadik-Khan replays her ‘Streetfights’ to a sold-out crowd You can’t think small when planing bike infrastructure, you have to think in terms of networks and interconnectedness. Individual projects to move that forward can be done in small bites, but there has to be a full meal in the plan.

And why we (and Portland) can’t have nice things. New Seasons customers visit new store — and park their cars in state’s new bike lane – UPDATED A big part of the problem is ODOT don’t know how to build a bike lane. To. Save. Their. Lives. (Or anyone else’s.)

Deadly hit-and-run in NOLA. Bicyclist killed in hit-and-run on Leon C. Simon Drive; NOPD seeks black SUV and Bicyclist dead after hit-and-run I think my antipathy towards hit-and-run drivers who kill is well established. This is one of those situations that I would strap the driver back into the driver’s seat and give him or her a last ride through a car shredder.

Halfway through the legal process on a MI wreck. Plea agreement reached for teen accused in bicyclist’s death while civil suit remains in court I’m of the opinion that the charges were way too lax, but I’m not the one extracting justice from the perp’s wallet.

Speaking of extracting justice through the wallet. Attorneys reach settlement over cyclist killed in 2013 Again, in a situation like this the only way to get any justice you have to go through the wallet.

Some (sorta) good news from AZ. Woman arrested in Gilbert hit-and-run that killed bicyclist Given the situation this was about as good as news could have gotten. I don’t know what the perp being pregnant has to do with locking her up… Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time.

FloriDUH! Cyclist, 54, struck, badly injured on St. Pete Beach If the driver “never saw” the cyclist, how do they know the guy was riding across the street? And ugh! “dark clothes” again.

OH infrastructure. City report recommends keeping Central Parkway bike lane issued, then quickly recalled I love when they try to hide good news about bike infrastructure.

CT cyclist becomes the voice of an entire population. Clinton cyclist finds herself ‘a voice for others’ after truck-bike accident I can relate to her situation.

A bit of US national infrastructure. Safer Streets Ahead for Bikers and Walkers with New Federal Safety Rule

How is your transit system running? A Mexican athlete races Mexico City’s subway in the latest man vs. machine showdown This can happen in a system with good walkability between stops, here in the Metromess there are only a couple of stops where this is even imaginable.

More infrastructure, now from the UK. Plans for dangerous Stamford Hill junction slammed in wake of crashes Crap infrastructure is crap. Whodathunkit?

And one thing that usually goes with crap cycling infrastructure is members of the political class who hate cycling. Senior Liberal Democrat says “Cyclists do not belong in towns” That sure is a funny way to spell “cars” innit?

Also infrastructure from Jolly Olde. Traffic lights that detect cyclists coming to York

Over on the Emerald Isle, a cyclist and a semi have an unfortunate meeting. Cyclist injured in collision involving articulated lorry and Female cyclist rushed to hospital with serious injuries after being hit by truck

Another cyclist in Ireland is hit, and unfortunately killed, by a semi. Cyclist dies following collision with lorry in Lisburn This was an intersection that has been previously identified as needing improvement, but which hasn’t been done.

One driver takes out 2 out of 3 cyclists on a ride. Two cyclist hurt in Vic hit-and-run crash

And the lawyer thinks the new laws in NSW are just peachy. New cycling laws ‘controversial but safe’ Stockholm syndrome? Maayyyyy beeeeee?

And it is late and I got up early this (yesterday?) morning. In fact it’s after Gigi’s “bedtime” when she loses her internet (0300 CT) so she’s going to be mad she doesn’t get to review the post while it’s still “fresh”.

Billed @€0.02, Opus

I’m Schrodinger’s Millionaire again, and the Feed

Yes I am once again simultaneously filthy rich and dirt poor until 2045 local time when the Powerball drawing takes place. Seriously, Schrödinger didn’t need to use a cat in a box to illustrate something being two things at once, he just needed a lottery or sweepstakes drawing. And he could have saved the trouble of building a cat-killing chamber triggered by radioactive decay for his random event. But I suppose Schrödinger’s Sweepstakes wouldn’t be as memorable as the cat experiment. And I know that Schrödinger’s Cat was a thought experiment, not an actual physical experiment involving a real cat. That would be silly, and cruel to the person that had to put a cat in a box with all its claws. OK and cruel to the cat in the box too.

Up first is Our Daily Ted. Morning Links: 75-year old cyclist cuffed and ticketed for riding legally on I-15; Specialized says they’re sorry

Still in CA. DEVORE: Ghost bike honors cyclist killed in crash with car

This is going to be a major theme in today’s post. Parents of children killed in DUIs call for tougher laws Incredible as it may seem more than 40 years after the founding of MADD it is still only a misdemeanor no matter how many you get in the state of PA.

And over in AK, they’re having hearings in reaction to the death of a cyclist. Daughter of cyclist killed in 2014 hit-and-run testifies against bill to soften sentencing laws

And Bike Portland weighs in on language used to describe bike wrecks. Dear fellow journalists: This is why you should use #CrashNotAccident

And today we get 4 days of wrecks from NYC. Hit-And-Run Driver Fatally Struck Man Who Was Allegedly Lying In East Harlem Crosswalk Video of the crime scene posted showed the victim just “appearing” in the intersection. One second he’s not there at all, the next he is lying on the street, having been dragged from someplace as he slides into the intersection.

And another NYC ped is hit and killed in another crosswalk. City Blames Pedestrian After Cop Fatally Runs Him Over In Crosswalk The video of the fatal wreck is just nauseating when seen after reading NYPD blaming the victim for his own death.

Well one out of 3? Hit-And-Run Taxi Driver Says He Thought He Hit A Pothole, Not A Person I’m sure every pothole makes your car go up first instead of falling down into a hole.

A KY girl misjudges the speed of the cop car that stops in front of her. Young girl injured after riding bike into the side of a police cruiser Yeah, this has happened to me minus the impact. Approach the intersection with the belief that slightly slowing will cause you to pass behind the car, and the car stops. I had to slam on the brakes to prevent a wreck, the girl had no place to go and hit the car.

More on a wreck in Scotland. VIDEO: Tributes left at roadside for tragic teen cyclist killed on Moray road

More on an Oz truck driver who saved a cyclist. Ettalong Beach truckie recognised for heroic act on M2 motorway

And possible fun times. Polish Moon Ride Registration Open The post-ride festivities look to be as much fun as the ride. Enjoy!

And I’m out of links again.

Billed @€0.02, Opus

I have been participating in the political process, and the Feed

I was attending a volunteer welcome and campaign HQ grand opening for the candidate in the next state rep district over from mine, the one that is actually inside Dallas County. The candidate is Victoria Neave (@Victoria4Texas on twitter). First thing I have to say is this was the BEST(!) feed for volunteers I have ever been to, with real food (MexMex) instead of rubber hot dogs and vulcanized hamburgers. I had a carnita, enchilada, taquito, spiced rice, and refrito frijoles, with a Dr. Pepper to help it down. Second the reason I’m supporting this candidate instead of the one running in my district is my district has gone tea party ever since the previous (R) candidate was sent to prison on fraud charges, and is so gerrymandered that it is more than a full day’s bike ride to get from my house to the eastern edge of the district wayyyyy out in the country and back. Parts of Paris TX are in the same representative’s district as me. And I have just about fuck all in common with the people in Paris, aside from Blue Bell Ice Cream and barbeque.

And as I was getting set up for today’s posting I put the 10 hour leekspin video on the phone for my monotonous background music, and in the suggested videos was the “Top 10 Movie Suicides”. That’s a ringing endorsement of my musical choice, isn’t it? 😛

Up first is a shooting in Houston. HPD: Bicyclist shot, killed while riding in N. Houston The victim was just in the area and caught by a stray bullet. There’s is literally nothing any cyclist can do to avoid a situation like this. Even moving to “the country” won’t prevent it because you still get meth heads fighting over cook labs and moonshiners fighting over turf. I understand this happens much less outside the US.

Ted is back from his mental hygiene break. Morning Links: Rough week for LA bike riders, Streetsie Award celebration, and more sexist bike marketing

Over in AZ lots of links about a hit-and-run. Gilbert police identify bicyclist killed by hit-and-run driver and Update: Cyclist in Gilbert hit-and-run has died also Gilbert police identify bicyclist killed by hit-and-run driver

Also in AZ. Survey finds support for reduced speed limits I find it fascinating that the number of people who want the speed limit reduced in front of their house is nearly identical to the number of people who want the speed limit reduced in other people’s neighborhoods, so this is definitely not a case of NIMBY.

Moving up to CO, update on the cyclist losing his arm in a training crash. Phil Zajicek, Boulder cyclist injured in Flagstaff crash, remains in medically induced coma

Also in CO. Teen who killed Fort Collins cyclist avoids jail time So instead of getting shredded in the car used to kill the cyclist, he gets to do “community service”, but at least this time his community service will be supervised by the peers of the cyclist who was killed. This was a driver who swerved right when he was trying to avoid a truck and trailer he almost hit because he was driving asleep, and there was a cyclist in the place he swerved into.

Also still in CO. Cyclist killed in crash ID’d The weapon vehicle was ID’ed as a private trash truck and found. They are still trying to find out who was driving the truck at the time.

Over in America’s Copenhagen… Suspect arrested after cyclist hit by truck, killed in SE Portland Gee this looks just like the article from Portland ME I linked to earlier. This was the wreck from Bike Portland. Arrest made in fatal crash on SE Center near Powell Butte – UPDATED

Speaking of cyclists getting shot. Plea deal results in 10-year sentence for bicyclist’s death The only thing that bothers me about this is this was another cyclist totally uninvolved with the shooting that killed him, so “accidentally” killed. The shooter was trying just as hard to kill this cyclist as the average driver does when they kill a cyclist, but the sentence was orders of magnitude longer for this death than it was for a cyclist killed with a motor vehicle that is a much more effective killing machine.

The cyclist hit from behind was guilty of his own death because “dark clothes”. No criminal charges to be filed in death of Phenix City cyclist Sean Rey

FloriDUH! Bell teen injured in bicycle accident I wonder who told LEO the cyclist turned left into the 1998 Mercury Marquis (deSade edition?), the driver of said Mercury? Have you read a more perfect SWSS report?

Meanwhile in the Great White North. ‘I just want justice’: grieving mother wants answers after death of cyclist Not even a trafficv ticket for at least 3 misdemeanors…

How long was this driver on the roads between the arrest and the conviction? HGV driver jailed after travelling on M11 and A14 in Cambridgeshire while three times drink limit “He said his client was the sole provider for his family who sent his wages home to pay for his wife’s cancer treatment and his daughters’ university education.” And I have a bridge I’m looking to unload, cheap, with a great view of London. This lout should never drive another mile for pay again. And I’m not really sure he should drive at all, period.

Maybe you should use a better wind screen on your lights? Candle-powered: the Dutch cyclist in trouble when the wind blew

This is another reason why cyclist should know advanced first aid. Cyclists save collapsed man’s life – with help of tyre lever I don’t know about using a tire lever for surgery, but it worked this time…

And this looks to be a great movie. Video: Battle Mountain – Graeme Obree’s Story One of the things this movie really brings out is the level of preparation and design work required to ride a bicycle more than 50 MPH on a level road powered only by human being(s).

A strange wreck in Oz. Cyclist critically injured after group crashes into kangaroo carcass Apparently this particular ‘roo blended in pretty well with the color of the road surface.

And last link, the buffoon who took money from the budget to build bike lanes to pull some out while smoking crack has died of cancer. Former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford dies And I’m trying really hard not to do a Nelson on this one, but the trmptation is just so great. Seriously, I don’t see this as divine retribution from Lady Ghisallo, or any other deity.

And I’m done finally.

Billed @$0.02, Opus

The trees are killing me, and the Feed

I’m still having problems seeing because of this allergy attack, and weather.com says the only pollen in the area is tree pollen. To make things worse we are having a pretty stiff breeze in the area keeping the pollen flying around instead of letting it settle like it did last week when the mailbox was tinted yellow. The interesting thing about this year as compared to previous years is I can breathe pretty well, I just can’t see very well. Most of the time I can see the TV or the computer not too bad, but if I let my hydration drop below a certain point, that I don’t know where it is until I pass it, then all of a sudden I get a white veil across my vision. It’s super annoying.

Ted is taking a Mental Hygiene day so no Daily Ted. Sending best wishes to Ted.

Normally I would say still in CA. Buena Park bicyclist killed by pick-up truck identified Not a whole lot of information about this wreck, aside from a general location, the type of weapon vehicle, and the identity of the victim.

Also still in CA. Cyclist hit by car in Pacific Beach suffers head injury At this point LEO believe the cyclist ran a stop sign while the weapon vehicle was on a through street.

Still in CA (lots of links from CA). FiDi & North Beach Crime Roundup: Hit & Run, Stabbing, Violent Fight Over Tips I assume this “Munchery” is some kind of food delivery. I’m extremely happy the pedestrian was uninjured. From the limited narrative given the wreck was partially due to a congested intersection, and restricted sight lines.

And guess where we haven’t left? Bicyclist critically injured in collision with UPS truck in Baldwin Park Either a cross or hook movement given that the truck was turning into a driveway. Intersection protocols to reduce damages. Drivers watching where they are going to prevent.

Yep, still in CA. DEVORE: Bicyclist hit and killed by vehicle (UPDATE) Left cross wreck, the most frequent cause of death for motorcyclists, 3rd for bicyclists. Always the fault of the driver for not looking before turning.

From America’s Copenhagen. Bicyclist struck and killed in SE Portland Witnesses say the weapon vehicle was turning and going fast enough that the cyclist was thrown into the air. While no charges were made public in this link the driver was arrested and taken away in handcuffs.

And from the Portland on the other side of the country/continent from America’s Copenhagen. Portland police arrest man on suspension of fatally hitting cyclist This was really confusing for me because the two cities are both in counties of the same name, with neighborhoods of similar names. Nothing on the mode of wreck, but that bike in the picture looks like it was hit from behind, and the several charges involving impairment suggest the cyclist was hit from behind. And someone really needs to proofread that headline. Ugh!

Moving from ME to MA. Bicyclist killed in downtown Holyoke Friday morning and Bicyclist killed in Holyoke crash Friday The first link just says the cyclist hit the truck, second says this was a left cross wreck, which is always the fault of the driver for failing to wait until the lane is clear before crossing it.

Moving south to FL. Teen on bicycle killed after being hit by car in Apollo Beach Cyclist hit from behind, comments blaming cyclist for being there at 0239…

Still in FloriDUH. Victim in fatal Merritt Island hit-and-run crash identified Hit from behind, BOLO for a Chevy S-10 P/U with fresh heavy front end damages. Speculation the cyclist was either drunk or trying to get to safety after getting hit and run before…

And we got a lot of similar links from different outlets. Cyclists upset about lack of penalties for drivers who hit bikes and Cyclists seek heavier penalties on errant drivers also Amid Cycling Boom, Penalties for Errant Drivers Remain Light Totally expected calls for bicycle license plates with the NOLA link’s comments section.

Update on the victim of a CO hit-and-run. Cyclist injured in hit-and-run near Boulder released from hospital Wishing the cyclist a quick recovery from all injuries, not expecting anything like that.

Wreck in KS. Teen bicycle rider hospitalized after hit by Kansas driver and Teen bicylist struck by car suffers serious injuries in Riley County There was no excuse for this wreck, hit from behind in late afternoon with the sun off the driver’s right meaning the roof would have blocked anything from shining into the driver’s eyes. He should have seen the cyclist and either slowed down or moved over. Instead he just plowed right into the cyclist.

This SC infrastructure test is the absolute worst-case situation, installing a bike lane by removing a travel lane for motor vehicles with nobody using the bike lane (in this case because they aren’t allowing bicycles to use the blocked lane because it “isn’t safe”). Ashley River bike lane test set for April to May

From the Great White North. Birthday horror: ‘Shattered’ mom learns son killed by minivan while riding bike The wreck was so bad that there was no viewing at the wake or funeral.

And a serious Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot moment for me when I read this link. No charges expected after Leamington cyclist killed on County Road 31 Are they seriously not going to charge the driver for overdriving their lights when they hit the cyclist from behind because the cyclist was wearing dark clothes? Do deer and moose wear reflective vests when they wander about at night?

This is just appalling. Bike courier launches fund to pay rent after hit-and-run driver left him too injured to cycle He should be getting some kind of temp disability while he recovers enough to do his job or gets another job.

This is one of the things I loathe about UK media laws. Cambridge woman stole 11-year-old’s bike as he and his mother gave chase Yeah, this would have been a good story, back in August when it happened, not in late March when she got sentenced for it.

A fitting memorial is in the planning stages. Syd Barrett memorial exclusive: spinning bike wheel artwork planned This is the song being commemorated with the artwork.

Wreck in Scotland. Teenage cyclist killed in collision with car on Moray road Typical UK report.

The money grab from cyclists doesn’t seem to have changed much in the first month. ‘Shock and awe’ tactic not helping in bicycle safety campaign

This is just low. Rebekka Meyer’s ghost bike disappears, found dumped nearby Who would do such a thing?

And I’m out of links finally.

Billed @€0.02, Opus

Wow what a race on Wreck Free Sunday

The Superman car (sponsored by the movie Superman vs Batman) won the Sprint Cup race in Fontana today, and I got to watch the whole race because I was having an allergy attack and stayed home from church all day. I have been chugging coffee and tea and “other” beverages all day because if I stay hydrated I can see and talk, but as soon as I start drying out a little bit it’s like a gauze curtain has been dropped across my eyes. I mean it isn’t anything more than bothersome, certainly not so much as uncomfortable, just annoying. But I still don’t want to go to church in that condition. Weather.com reports that my discomfort is due to high tree sex activity in my area.

One of the things I did with my off time yesterday besides watching the 12 Hours of Sebring was to mock up the kit I’m building the mini Sprint-T from as an unchanneled body on top of the frame instead of the way the kit builds it with the frame covered by the body. I haven’t hung the wheels and axles on it yet, but the carbs on the Street Engine from the kit are just even with the top of the firewall, while the entire rear frame clears the bottom of the shortened pickup box that covers where the gas tank and battery would be on the 1:1 car. So if the kit was 1:1 I could put a slightly larger gas tank in the car.

Looks good, doesn’t it? I’m strongly thinking about doing the finished model like this
And while I’m thinking about it, this is $29 in raw stock, tax, and shipping fees.

There is enough flat sheet to make several frames, and a couple monocoque tubs, too. I have been thinking about that, using one of the engine kits to make a ¹/₂₅ V8 powered SCCA A/Mod Solo racer. The tricky part would be making room for real legs between the engine and the rear axle and keeping the weight and polar moments both down and maximizing downforce without a wing, and then putting the wing over the top like a sprint car or Supermodified. But that’s for later, after the mini Sprint-T is finished. As it is now I need to get 4 sets of Wide 5 wheels to make the wheels for the 3 cars (one car will have the race tires mounted, which will take 2 sets of wheels spliced together to fit the tire). Or 3 sets and turning some bar stock aluminum into wheel shells and the rims off of one set of wheels so the centers could be glued into the shells. Basically I would be doing a model version of this and this.

Speaking of wheels, I’m still debating the vendor for the wheels. I don’t have the skills to make a plug for making a mold to cast a set of wheels on my own, so those I have to buy. I can do things like turn raw stock into a reasonable replica of a straight axle with steering arms, 4 bar, and coilover brackets, because those are basically 2D cuts and glue them together to make them a 3D part. But I have never been any good at sculptures, complex 3D shapes are outside my skill sets even before I got my TBI. I might be able to do a simple shape with little surface detail, but a Wide 5 hub in scale with everything in the right place is way outta my pay grade. The best looking wheels I have seen so far are the W_1 from Ron Coon and the asawheel from VCG Resins. Either one will look great with the tires I have or the tires I want to get.

And these allergies are making me tired, so I’m wrapping this up.

PSA, Opus