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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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

We had some wind damage to the trees, but are otherwise unscathed, and the Feed

Yep, it were windy out here in the Beautiful Suburbs of Hell, with one tree losing a branch to the wind. Otherwise things are just fine. Still doing good on edibles, I have about a half pot of beans and rice seasoned to my preference, plus Pop Tarts, ramen, Spam (I’m having the teriyaki flavor tonight with my ramen), and a fresh jar of peanut butter that I just opened this morning to put on my bagel. So food I got, and Mrs. the Poet will be returning from NY tomorrow evening.

Up first is Our Daily Ted, Part 1. Morning Links: LACBC wins national award for work on Mobility Plan; Sadik-Khan says the bikes have won That’s right, we won! All that’s left now is mopping up isolated pockets of resistance. So I guess I can quit this blog and go build models…

Part 2. San Diego cyclist killed in pre-dawn trolley collision and Cyclist hit, killed by trolley in Barrio Logan Damnit people, what did I just tell you yesterday about staying off tracks? Don’t cross when the arm is down, how hard is that to do?

Still in CA, but covered in one of Ted’s posts yesterday. Bicyclist Hit, Killed by Moving Truck in Rancho Palos Verdes Right hook but the cyclist was riding hard in the bike lane. At least I think that was a bike lane. The cyclist’s speed had a great deal to do with this wreck, both in the fact that it happened and in the severity of the wreck as to how for under the truck the cyclist got squished in the initial impact. The fact the cyclist was dragged for miles under the truck more than likely only changed the condition of the body, he probably died in the initial impact.

More Portland infrastructure. Counting votes at Metro: Will the region invest in walking and biking near schools? Don’t want the kids getting too independent and thinking they don’t need a car to get around.

Another update on the MN cyclist injured in a hit-and-run. St. Thomas student critically injured in bike accident returns to class “The St. Paul Police say that since January of this year a pedestrian or cyclist is hit by a driver in St. Paul every other day. And they think it’s the cyclists and pedestrians are the problem?

A little CT infrastructure change might be in the works. Connecticut Cycling Advocates Urge Stiffer Penalty For Drivers Who Don’t Share The Road The comments section is in rare form today. I lost count of the times I saw people complaining about cyclists “not paying” for roads, like riding a bike gets you a tax refund or something like that.

From CT to MT, a fallen cyclist is remembered. Tuesday morning vigil honors cyclist killed in wreck, reminds riders of traffic danger

I think this was national but reported by a PA media outlet. Early data suggests pedestrian deaths surged in 2015 There were more deaths across the board but it looks like peds took a larger share than previously lending more ammunition to the need to get drivers out from behind the wheel because the cars are great at protecting people inside the car but utter crap at protecting people outside the car.

Ran red, killed cyclist, needs to spend rest of life working to repay victim’s family after long prison sentence in the Great White North. Trial begins for man accused of running red light and killing cyclist For those not fluent in metric, bystanders estimated the speed before the wreck at 55-65 MPH, the reconstructionist put the speed at 41.6 MPH at impact with heavy braking.

More on Canada’s helmet fetish. Bike helmets are safe, but here’s what really makes cycling safer

From Jolly Olde a car doesn’t stop at the sidewalk, but goes right inside the building. CCTV VIDEO: Man ‘lucky to be alive’ after Coleshill crash – watch footage I though it was from NYC with the car driving at such a high speed on the sidewalk. 😛

One of the 12 people likely to get killed by a cyclist in Jolly Olde this year (if this is an average year). ‘Wonderful’ woman killed after crash with a cyclist at Old Street Nothing on what happened because it’s a UK media outlet, but so far no charges have been filed.

Another cyclist memorial. Family pays tribute to cyclist killed in ‘hit-and-run’ accident

Trying to find answers in a cyclist’s death. Inquest opens into death of cyclist killed in Doncaster Road crash The UK version of a left cross since the drive on the wrong side of the road.

Another blind driver takes out a cyclist. Coach driver accused of killing cyclist on A9 heard ‘a bang’ Never saw the cyclist until they were scraping him out from under the bus.

Well this can’t be good. Police investigate spate of cyclists being pushed into London canals Getting wet in winter in the UK is not as bad as getting wet in winter in MN, but it’s still not pleasant.

This is a frequent symptom of TBI from a traffic crash. Young cyclist ‘cannot remember’ how she got facial injuries in Crawley Much of what I know of my wreck is from the police reports and witnesses who ran into me later. Except the being dead part, that I remembered on my own.

Over on the Emerald Isle. Garda appeal for witnesses after cyclist (19) killed in road collision The narrative sounds like a SWSS at the moment with the driver failing to process the cyclist in front of the car until impact.

This sounds more like pressing the gas thinking it is the brake than brake failure, but hey I’m just a hot-rodder doing a bike safety blog. UPDATE: Taxi that slammed into traffic light knocked down cyclist prior to major crash I think this was South Africa, but I’m not sure.

What’s 130 miles on a bike when you have done a full Ironman? NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson to join PeopleForBikes’ Ride on Atlanta

And last link if you think mash-ups are a recent phenomenon, here’s a mashup of “Rock And Roll, Pt.2” with the theme for Doctor Who from the ’80s. The Timelords (The KLF) – Doctorin’ The Tardis (12-inch mix)

And that’s all I go tonight. I’m going to try to get to bed early.

Billed @€0.02, Opus

Things are a bit somber here, and the Feed

Even the cats are a bit subdued as we here at Casa de El Poeta were informed that Mrs. the Poet’s youngest sister died this morning from respiratory arrest. This was totally unexpected to everyone except the deceased sister who had been telling people she wasn’t going to be alive to see any of the festivities this summer ever since last summer. She leaves behind a bereaved partner of more than 2 decades whom she never married. Mrs. the Poet will be leaving for the memorial service Wednesday, and the cats and I will hold down the fort here.

Up first is a driver left crossing 8 (eight!) cyclists down in Austin. Bicyclist team hit by van in Lakeway Three cyclists were injured while many bikes were damaged. Driver given ticket… Lawsuits to follow.

On the other side of the state from that wreck a cyclist is hit by a train while waiting for another train to clear the tracks. Bicyclist struck, killed by train in Canyon Wrecks like this are why I state in the protocols to NOT BE ON THE TRACKS when there is a train in the area, you can’t hear the other one coming if your attention is absorbed in the one crossing first.

Our Daily Ted. Morning Links: New women’s hour record, Ed Begley Jr. bikes the Oscars, and no more $10k tech bikes

Daily Ted Part 2. Bike rider killed in early morning Victorville collision; SB County deaths already exceed total for all of last year

Still in CA. Montclair police search for hit-and-run driver that struck, killed bicyclist and Candlelight vigil held for Montclair bicyclist killed in hit-and-run My opinions on hit-and-run drivers are well-documanted on this blog. The driver deserves no mercy when caught, as he showed no mercy on the deceased.

Also in CA. Fontana bicyclist’s death serves as reminder of how drunk driving can cause tragedies There are tags for this blog that explicitly convey my opinions of drunk drivers. That would include the tags for this post.

Hit-from-behind wreck in WI, multiple links. Lena bicyclist killed after struck by truck and UPDATE: Bicyclist struck and killed by SUV in northeast Wisconsin is ID’d also UPDATE: Man identified in bicycle crash this too Cyclist’s death warns drivers & riders to share the road At this point there has been nothing released on the mode of the wreck other than both vehicles were going the same direction. So it might have been a buzz job or punishment pass or the driver could have just failed to process the existence of the cyclist in the road.

Serious injury wreck in MO. Carthage cyclist sustains serious injuries in accident The wreck is being blamed on a ninja cyclist.

From CO comes a plea for drivers to pay attention to cyclists on the roads. Letter: Cyclists have right to be on Fort Collins’ roads Comments typically blame the cyclist for being on the road where he was killed.

A UT hit-and-run driver is seriously undercharged. Collision injures cyclist, driver cited for leaving scene The driver removed the weapon vehicle from the scene and then tried to hide it from LEO, why wasn’t she charged with interfering with an investigation?

Memorial service in WA. Memorial ride honors Yakima bicyclist killed in crash This wreck was caused by a driver believed to be impaired and charged with vehicular manslaughter.

We have a bunch of links to a very busy NYC wreck factory this weekend. 3 Killed and 2 Injured in Hit-and-Run Crashes Across New York City and Three People Killed In Separate Hit-And-Run Incidents also NYPD Releases Video Of Hit-And-Run Driver Who Killed Cyclist In Park Slope this too UPDATED/CORRECTION: Pedestrian Killed On 5th Avenue This Morning In Apparent Hit-And-Run, Cops Say not done yet Man Killed By Driver Who “Felt A Large Bump” You will have to just read the articles in the links. There are way too many wrecks with no actual cyclists involved.

Memorialization of a cyclist killed by another drunk driver. Family, friends dedicate ‘ghost bike’ to cyclist struck on Richmond Road See the tabs, again, for what I think of drunk drivers.

Last NYC link is infrastructure. Councilman Admits Mischaracterizing Prospect Park West Bike Lane During Battle Over It This remains ridiculous.

Infrastructure from West Canuckistan. Stanley Park Causeway improvements complete three years after tragic death of cyclist This wreck was caused by a pedestrian pushing a cyclist in front of moving traffic.

Legal infrastructure in Oz. New cycling laws come into play today including increased fines Highly questionable legal infrastructure changes making cycling infractions more expensive than driving infractions. I mean when you think about how many people get head injuries in cars, why don’t they have helmet laws for drivers and passengers in motor vehicles? And have $300 fines for not wearing them?

And final link is a repeat that needs repeating. How to Pass a Bicyclist

And I’m all out of links, now I have to console Mrs. the Poet about her sister’s sudden demise.

Billed @€0.02, Opus

Well it is pretty outside now, and the Feed

It is about the same temperature today as it was Monday, but with the sun out it’s much more pleasant than then or especially yesterday with the rain. I’m still working on mocking up the Mini Sprint-T by installing the headers from the engine kit to the engine and reinstalling the engine to the body with the temp glue that will peel off from the plastic when it comes time to build the permanent parts and install them. The “weed burner” exhaust from the engine kit looks like it was made to use on the T Bucket body, which it might have. They are both from the same model kit company and there was lots of customization potential in the kit I got the bucket from.

Up first is a hit-from-behind wreck outside Houston. CYCLIST FATALLY STRUCK BY CAR IN NORTHEAST HARRIS COUNTY I couldn’t see if the bike had lights or reflectors, and the article and video did not mention them either which usually means the bike was legally lighted. What is far more likely is that the driver was not paying attention, and/or driving too fast for conditions. My take after looking at the weapon vehicle is too fast for conditions.

Now, Our Daily Ted. Morning Links: Cyclist nearly rammed by Laguna Cyn driver; man buys bike with bad traveler’s checks in OC

Update on a KC MO wreck. Man charged with hit-and-run accident that left Shawnee cyclist in critical condition My take is the driver’s priors are not pertinent to if he hit and ran. They are pertinent to if he’s a nice person or not.

Successful advocacy in America’s Copenhagen. Wonk Nights work! 30 months later, city kicks off bike parking reform It only took 2½ years to get that far. That doesn’t bode well for doing this in locations that are less hospitable politically to cycling.

Even in Portland you find some anti-cyclist Trotskyites. Bikes should rank beneath mass transit in city hierarchy, says Commissioner Fritz “Not everyone can drive. So let’s stop prioritizing driving.” Adam H. Indeed looking at the chart in the article the bike budget is about 1% that of the motor vehicle budget, less if you count transit spending as “public motor vehicles”.

What can only be called a minor annoyance for Portland cyclists. Why does Multnomah County allow auto parking on the Morrison Bridge bike path? The bridge operator parks his car there because it was constantly getting broken into when he parked off the bridge..

Meanwhile in NYC, they get street equipment left in the lane(s) for weeks completely blocking the lane(s) in both directions. NYPD Light Tower Has Been Blocking Brooklyn Bike Lane For Weeks Because Where Else Could It Possibly Go? I have been seeing the picture of the fire engine blocking the street and the light tower in the bike lane for weeks now, but the fire engine is long gone and so should the light tower.

More infrastructure news from WI. Bublr Bikes Network Proposed to Grow in 2016

And legal infrastructure news from IA. Proposed bicycle safety law much needed, North Iowa cyclists say I would be pushing my state rep for something like this except this is the election year for reps, and the lege meets on the other year. So here in TX you find out who’s going to represent you about 4 months before the legislative session, they meet with almost no public votes taken, and then you decide to keep them or not based on what they decide to tell you about what they did… Damned hard to get a bill like this through the session when you have no chance of voting the people who vote against your interests out.

Last US story is an update on a CO hit-and-run. Cyclist struck in hit-and-run north of Boulder remains in critical condition I kept saying there was more damage to the weapon vehicle than just a missing mirror, and now the LEO report backs me up on that.

First link from Jolly Olde, a driver lies after killing a cyclist. Woman hit and killed cyclist – then told police her car had been stolen I’m shocked that the driver would try to pretend she didn’t kill a cyclist.

And this guy. ‘Sorry’ driver who knocked down OAP left him in the road with another driver as he was running late Here in TX we have another definition for someone who is “sorry”. The alternative definition is someone deficient in character. I think this applies to someone who would leave a person to die in the street to avoid being late to pick up his wife from work.

American perspective on the legal changes in Oz. Australian Bicycling Advocates Worried About Tough New Laws

This was a different kind of bike, but this $&*^ is going on all over Oz. Boy injured after riding bike into wire stretched across road I keep saying this is an act of domestic terrorism when it happens to pedalcyclists, it is just as much so when the victim is riding a motorcycle.

Another kid on a bike hit in Oz. Teen cyclist seriously injured after being hit outside Melbourne school The kid didn’t even get off the block before he got hit by with a car.

And I’m out of links again. See you later.

Billed @$0.02, Opus

Another ugly day, and the Feed

If anything today is even worse than yesterday, in that it is raining harder than the light mist falling intermittently after I wrote yesterday’s opening paragraph, and it is about 10°F colder than yesterday and feels even worse because of the damp. I got an interesting ad late yesterday in my e-mail inviting me to move to Cape Breton Isle on the east coast of Canada. Seems they are having a housing deflation and you can get nice houses for about the cost of a fancy new car. I’m checking on getting broadband out there. BTW the ad headline was “If Trump Wins, where will you go?” so I might avoid the rush and buy now. Then I will take a long bike ride to the Great White North. It would not be the first time I moved to Canada, but it would be the first time I didn’t move to a military base. The first place I lived in Canada is now a Superfund environmental site, something I sincerely wish to avoid this time. The second place I lived in has been classified as “Never Existed” and I can’t find it on Google Earth either. It was near Abbotsford, but I don’t see any of the buildings there anymore from the mid 1960s. Very strange, but the only thing left from the first place I lived in Canada is the runway and the docks, even the hangars are gone.

Up first is a TX wreck between a bike and a cop car. Cyclist injured in officer-involved accident Again, until I can see the wrecked bicycle I’m taking the “salmon” rider description with a block of salt the weight of the cop car. I admit it happens but I have seen too many wrecks that the drivers and cops claimed were caused by salmon cyclists that the bikes and riders would have had to been riding backwards to get the damage and injuries they got. In fact we had an article about that very thing linked here since the start of the year.

The Big Story is the ridiculous fines about to go into effect in Oz next week. Sydney boosts fines for cyclist violations and Editorial – February 24: Licence to ride or laughing stock? also Cyclists hit by world’s harshest laws

The next biggest story is the distracted (?) driver who ran over 4 NC cyclists. Troopers: 4 cyclists hit by car on NC road and Cyclist disputes driver’s account also ‘Was she texting?’ injured bike rider asks after driver hits 4 Johnston Co. bicyclists The driver’s statement that the wreck happened “so quick” makes distraction or other inattention a serious consideration.

Our Daily Ted, part 1. Morning Links: Prize winner’s new bike, Burbank considers bike/ped bridge, and Ventura tow truck driver ID’d I’m really happy for the winner, she seems to have deserved the bike.

Ted Part 2. Breaking news: Covina bike rider killed in collision with Metrolink train

Also in CA. San Diego Is Ready to Go Big on Biking and Walking There is some re-purposing of “car space” to bike and ped space but this is not “anti-car”, just anti car supremacy.

Still in CA more on the proposal to get Zero-carbon subsidies to HPV for poor neighborhoods. Should California give subsidies to people buying bicycles?

Still in CA (lots of wrecks this time of year in CA for some reason). Authorities identify tow truck driver, officially name boy killed in Ventura hit-and-run crash

Over one state in NV. Bicyclist killed after being struck by off-road vehicle identified and Off-road driver charged in crash that killed bicyclist Driving drunk, without a license, in an unregistered vehicle…

More on the trial of the OH dude who couldn’t see 5 cyclists on the road because he had the sun in his eyes, and turned more than a hundred feet before the road he was trying to turn on. Trial begins for Brecksville man charged in crash that killed cyclists and Cyclists recall deadly Brecksville crash during driver’s trial I would think that pointing out the first cyclist was hit more than 100 feet from the intersection, and the truck stopped after hitting the last cyclist still short of the intersection would be more than enough to show the driver was driving well below “standard of care” and possibly was deliberately trying to kill the cyclists. But IANAL.

Over in AR one cyclist had a dog problem. Cyclist Mauled by Pit Bull I have known pits that were just big slobber machines that were more likely to lick you to death and drown you in slobber than to bite, and I have known pits that would attack anything that moved in what they considered to be their territory, it all depends on how the animal was socialized.

Not sure if this was a cyclist or what, but it was in the “cyclist injured” section of the Feed folder. Man Shot In Groin During Brooklyn Road Rage Outburst

I know this wasn’t a cyclist, but how could I resist putting in a link about a guy run over by a parked car? Park Slope Food Coop Member Struck By Runaway Parked Car I mean really? Pass up a juicy opportunity like that?

Some more good news from America’s Copenhagen. City of Portland considering protected intersections, bike-only lanes for West Burnside project Don’t “consider” just “do”. Doo Eeet!

It might not seem like it at first glance, but this is an important infrastructure article. Portland Bike Theft Task Force receives $4,000 donation from local bike club

Important infrastructure news from WI. $62.6 Million Requested to Improve Walking and Biking Across Wisconsin

LEO wants everyone to know they haven’t stopped looking for a CO hit-and-run driver. Search continues for driver who struck cyclist in hit-and-run north of Boulder And I still say they should be looking for front end damage (and probably a busted windshield) instead of a missing mirror.

That passing bill in IA moves along through the Lege. New bill offers protections for Iowa cyclists

PA wreck involving an ICE-assisted bike. Man on motorized bike killed in Lehigh County hit-and-run crash Bike was hit head-on by a driver cutting the left turn, not mentioned in the article but there was a comment that speculated it was a cyclist riding such a bike in “dark clothes” and a very dim or missing headlight who had been seen riding earlier.

FloriDUH strikes again. Bicyclist injured in crash at Roosevelt Boulevard and Bicyclist dies after Westside crash Interesting thing is LEO still haven’t blamed the cyclist on this one, mostly because they can’t figure out where the bike was hit or which way it was going when it was hit, and the person who could have told them that died overnight…

Cyclist killed in a truly bizarre accident is memorialized in far West Canuckistan. Memorial set for cyclist killed on False Creek seawall They’re still looking for the guy digging in the trash can where the cyclist was hit, even though it looks now like there is nothing they could charge him with.

I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who gets hot about this. War breaks out on Twitter after police and ambulance blame cyclist for #NoHelmet

What would you do if your mother was placed in this amount of danger? Chris Boardman’s horror at video of lorry close-passing his mother Since my Mother died in 2004 I probably wouldn’t have any problem with it. There is a very large tree between the road and Mom’s grave site.

Well if you ever needed a reason to visit a porn site before, here’s a good reason. World’s 3rd biggest porn site sponsors Italian cycling team I just checked and it’s free to use.

Well they are part of the way there on this one in Oz. Woman charged over fatal cyclist crash

Last link shows Amsterdam wasn’t always what it is now. Look How Much Better a City Can Be When It Designs for People Not Cars The difference between before and after are just…

And I’m outta links, and Gigi is going to be upset because it’s after 0300 and she’s lost her Internet for the night so she won’t be able to read today’s post until after midnight tomorrow.

Billed @€0.02, Opus

This is such an ugly Monday, and the Feed

The weather today is just ugly, with flat grey skies and chill, humid air. It’s not even the good kind of cold, the dry cold that invites outdoor activity and isn’t really all that bad if you keep covered up. This is the kind of cold that still feels cold no matter how much you put on and even when you are red-faced and sweating from being over-dressed you still feel chilled to the bones. Seriously it’s warm enough to go get the mail in shorts and slippers without danger, but you still feel cold wearing a parka. Ugly cold is what it is.

Up first, an injured kid instigates installation of really, REALLY, crappy infrastructure on the street where he was hit (did I mention this infrastructure was super crappy?) Days after injury to child, a new lane for cyclists on Mesa Not a bike lane, on street parking for cars that bikes will have to weave in and out of or ride in the door zone while getting buzzed and harassed by angry drivers wondering why the cyclists are not in the “bike lane”.

Our big story is 4 cyclists hit from behind in NC. CYCLISTS IN HOSPITAL AFTER BEING HIT BY CAR IN ANGIER and Four bicyclists in hospital after being struck by car in Angier also Cyclist injured in Angier crash questions how accident happened I’m seeing another blind driver nearly killing 4 cyclists because “it all happened so fast”. Fortunately “Highway Patrol officers said charges are pending against Williams and are expected to come down later in the week.” This is also a good example of why AFRAP laws kill cyclists so they do not inconvenience drivers.

Our Daily Ted. Morning Links: Victim’s family calls for compassion as hit-and-run driver gets time served; bike thief faces 27 years The SUV in the distracted driver video had some pretty major front end damage, this was obviously not the first time this driver was driving around with his or her nose buried in a cell phone.

Still in CA we get a Ghost Bike installation. Friends mourn Buena High football player at roadside memorial

PA wreck takes out a pedestrian walking in the bike lane/shoulder (the preview said bike lane, the actual article says shoulder). Police investigate fatal crash involving a pedestrian The car left tracks showing a path off the road onto the shoulder and impacting the pedestrian, meaning that if she was a cyclist using hit from behind protocols she would have had a fraction of a second to make that dive for the cover of the ditch if there was any place to dive to.

Still in PA, a driver is sentenced in the death of a cyclist. Drunk driver gets up to 13 years in cyclist death Up to 13 years, probably closer (much closer) to the minimum 4½. And seriously 0.29% BAC is almost at the point of alcoholic anesthesia, how could she even stay on the road? She had to be an alcoholic to even be conscious at that BAC level.

Another hit-and-run in CO. Bicyclist seriously injured in hit-and-run on U.S. 36 north of Boulder If you see a black sports type car with a missing pasenger side mirror and front end damage call the LEO number in the article, and stay out of range of the driver.

Wreck in east TN. Cyclist struck, killed by car near Seymour From articles I have linked here at this very site, I know that hitting a cyclist from behind is a crime in TN, but I don’t see any mention of an arrest in this case, what gives? Oh yeah “Criminal charges are pending, according to the report.” I just hope they don’t pend too long and the drive gets away because of the statute of limitations.

Something that has bothered me for years. Trailer Side Guards Make Difference Between Life and Death for Cyclists and Pedestrians These things not only prevent vulnerable user deaths and serious injury, they also save more than their costs in fuel savings, why do people resist installing them?

Up in the Great White North a driver is arrested for killing a cyclist, months after the cyclist’s memorial service at the site of the crime. Police charge driver in Claremont Access cyclist’s death and Hamilton motorist charged after local cyclist, teacher killed in December Took them long enough, you know there is such a thing as being too polite.

First UK article, would you jump out of an airplane carrying one of these folding bikes? The British Paratroopers Who Parachuted Into Enemy Territory with Folding Bicycles

Also from the UK they actually arrested a driver that killed a cyclist. Man arrested after cyclist killed in crash with 4×4 near Harbury Yep, killing someone with a motor vehicle is pretty much the definition of “dangerous driving”.

I’m still trying to figure out what the Sky Ride on closed roads has to do with a cyclist getting hit from behind by an idiot at the controls of a car, but that’s the first video on this link. Veteran road race cyclist seriously injured after being hit by car while training Just read the text and ignore the videos and pictures which have zilch to do with the report.

I think I know what it takes to get a serious sentence for killing with a motor vehicle in the UK. Drug dealer jailed for causing Swanley man’s death by dangerous driving First be a convicted criminal, second don’t kill a cyclist, kill someone sympathetic like a pedestrian. The drug dealer got 12 years prison for hitting the pedestrian…

“Wreck not accident”. Air ambulance takes cyclist to hospital after “accidental injury” in Sevenoaks Weald There was no context given for the wreck except “accident”.

Some potentially good infrastructure news from Jolly Olde. Chisholm Trail will give Cambridge’s cycling couriers ‘competitive advantage’ in city

And last link, bike share can make your city great(ish) How Bike-Sharing Can Gain Popularity

And I’m outta links with 9 minutes to spare before midnight.

Billed @€0.02, Opus

Wedding anniversary, Grocery Day, and the Feed

Yep, 38 years ago we got a baby sitter to watch the eldest son and got hitched. It was probably the only shotgun wedding where the groom’s father was the one holding the shotgun on the groom. Mom and Dad wanted grandkids, they just were not expecting them quite that soon. I was barely 19 at the time.

On the other part of the headline, we has foods now, yay. There was a sale on coffee flavor greek yogurt so I picked up a few cups, and some peach for Mrs. the Poet. The cats can’t eat yogurt any more so we didn’t worry about flavors they can’t share because now that’s all of the flavors. I feel sad for them because it was kinda fun watching them eat the yogurt off their little saucers, but they outgrew being able to eat dairy and I don’t want to smell their nasty farts. Seriously, that’s how you can tell when it’s time to stop giving the cat yogurt, when a UN weapons inspector stops by the house because of reported leaks of poison gas.

Also in the background is the Duels at Daytona Sprint Cup races that set the field for the Daytona 500 Sunday. Yay, racing.

Up first is another round of Our Daily Ted. Morning Links: A bridge over troubled roadway, post memorial hit-and-run, and buffed Cipollini in the buff Super Mario is Mrs. the Poet’s favorite bike racer, mostly because she likes the name “Cipollini”, and I have to admit he looked really good in that picture. (Yes I clicked through.)

Our Daily Ted part 2. Attorney Solves the Great Mystery of the “No Biking In Crosswalk” Signs

Still in CA that hit-and-run Ted mentioned. Bicyclist injured in hit-and-run after memorial for teen killed in bike crash and Cyclist hit after attending memorial for teen killed in bike accident I don’t know why the first link spent so much time on the kind of bike that was hit because it had nothing to do with the left cross followed by the driver leaving the scene of the crime. And as it was a left cross there are a list of protocols that will reduce the impact of a left cross, assuming you have time to react, posted in a link at the top of the page this is posted on.

The dead cyclist whose memorial the injured cyclist in the previous paragraph was leaving. Community Mourns Tragic Death of 13-Year-Old Student Killed in Bike Crash They are now saying the bike had brakes that were not very effective in stopping the bike. If this was a result of the robbery attempt the cyclist was fleeing or unrelated bad maintenance not released at this posting.

Also from CA. Co-workers remember cyclist killed in San Jose hit-and-run as ‘hardworking’ Lots of hit-and-run in CA this week, I hope that’s not a trend. The fact that they found the weapon vehicle with the plates removed tells me that the hit-and-run was deliberate, and possibly the wreck that preceded it.

Still in CA some of these things are not like the others, can you tell what’s different? Bicycle Safety That’s right, all the things suggested to drivers are all LAWS, while some of the things suggested to cyclists are NOT LAWS.

Are we never going to get away from CA today? FONTANA: Foothill Blvd. crash kills bicyclist, prompts DUI arrest OK everybody, what does the Witch on a Bicycle say is the thing to do with drunk drivers who kill? That’s right, put them back in their car and run the freaking car through a high speed car shredder. Seriously, by the time the pain signal from the driver’s feet get to the brain said brain is already confetti. Aside from the slight mess involved the execution is completely humane.

Moving to MO and another stupid hit-and-run. Two weeks after hit-and-run, cyclist grapples with injuries and unsolved case Finding red mustang convertibles from partial plates is Hard! It’s not like they can just to a computer search of the registered red mustang convertibles looking for the partial and hope for a match… SMH…

Legal infrastructure in OH. “I AM Traffic” – Getting Out of a Ticket & Revisiting AFRAP Unfortunately too many LEO and judges are only aware of the general case for these laws, and not that the exceptions cover as many as 100% of streets and roads in a jurisdiction. That is what was discovered one town over from WoaB World HQ in the Beautiful Suburbs of Hell when they did a CIS survey. They now have BMUFL signs posted at the city limits.

This SC girl has done good. South Carolina Teen Rides Face of America to Honor Veterans and Inspire Others You Go Girl!

Gotta love the street names in Jolly Olde. Councillor says Nuns’ Corner ’roundabout plan’ is ‘outrageous’ All that work, and it still wouldn’t meet CROW Manual standards.

Another funny street name, similar problems. Toll Bar roundabout: School drop-off bay plan to help allay safety fears It would be much simpler to just ban the source of the problem, all the motor vehicles crowding into the same tiny space.

This car has been burning up the e-assist message group because it uses 5.3 pounds of H2 in a compressed gas vessel and a fuel cell pack instead of a bulky battery pack. This car travels 300 miles on just 85oz of (hydrogen) gas If it scales down that would be 300 miles of assist in a package smaller than a 25 mile battery.

And on the T-Bucket front, this car takes big motor in tiny car to the extreme possible with current technology. Allison V 12 T Bucket by Cliff Hix Yes it does say 1710 cubic inches and 1840 HP in a 3200 pound car. That makes the Sprint-T’s 430 HP and 1750 pounds curb weight look anemic, but I still think the Sprint T could beat it to the eighth mile, just barely. After that the massive HP of the V-12 and crappy aero of the Sprint-T would combine to let the Allison T top end me in a drag race. Now if there were a couple of hairpin turns and slaloms involved then the Sprint-T would be in its bailiwick and the airplane engine car would be a fish out of water.

And now I’m outta links and Mrs. the Poet beckons from the boudoir.

Bye.

Paying my taxes was a nightmare, and the Feed

Yep, I was out paying taxes today. About $3k gone in a whoosh. Several hours spent waiting in lines. I don’t mind taxes, because that’s how I pay for things like schools and libraries and bicycle infrastructure. Then I went and paid off some bills, which was mostly a case of waiting on the next bus, sometimes for over an hour because of broken busses on the route meant that the next schedule was there before the replacement bus.

Let’s open with this lovely item from NYC. Hope You’re Not Planning On Biking Anywhere Today A big part of the problem is snow removal changes depending on the chunk of infrastructure covered in snow.

Hmm. Maybe if I made a recumbent version I could get some base miles in and still post the blog? Portland software company rigs up a way to publish its blog posts by bike I need to do something, we are coming up on a year since I rode any distance over a block on a bike.

Sorta local, I think these guys play basketball. JaVale and J.J. take tandem bike ride on the Santa Monica Pier (Photo) Pro hint, don’t call a tagalong a tandem.

Our Daily Ted, part 1. Morning Links: LA chosen Vision Zero Focus City, another Glendale cyclist threatened, and a special bike offer

And Ted Part 2. Bicyclist killed Tuesday in Ojai Valley

Still in CA. Law firm says settlement is reached in cyclist’s death, but Newport says nothing is final Doncha just hate it when your settlement can be derailed by people not even involved with the negotiations?

I think this is the same highway where a cyclist was killed back in 2011. Cyclist killed after hit-and-run, 2nd strike Again they blame the victim for not wearing the GITDCS instead of the driver not driving at a speed they could see to stop in the distance that could be seen clearly.

Back to America’s Copenhagen for more infrastructure. Gap Week: 82nd Avenue and Burnside

Another link on that cyclist hit from behind in PA. Bicyclist killed in Wilkinsburg identified

National infrastructure news for US readers. These U.S. Reps Want to Redefine Bike-Share Ideally bike-share would be run by transit agencies and be colocated with transit centers as well as areas of high transfer from bus to walking and destinations to serve as last-mile gap fillers.

Infrastructure news from far West Canuckistan. Cycling sign impedes bikes Windshield bias heavily in evidence in the comments section.

Remember that Mythbusters episode where they compared drowsy driving to drunk driving? Ultra-Cyclist Dies While Training on Rio-Santos Road in São Paulo

This UK story deserves a Triple Facepalm! Banned driver spared jail after ‘foolish’ car chase through Nunsthorpe estate About the only good thing to say about this was the driver was sober. Having said that, Holy Crap he drove like that sober!

Also from Jolly Olde. These Moving Photos Show The Moments Before Cyclists Were Killed By Cars Long exposures with flat light and a bright headlight leave a ghostly impression.

A pedestrian dies after getting hit walking on the sidewalk, must be NYC, right? Elderly woman dies after crash in Greenacre, another pedestrian injured Nope, it was in Oz. The driver was weaving on and off the sidewalk, and was taken from the scene by ambulance. I’m assuming DUI or medical emergency, with a strong bet on the medical emergency.

And last link is a bit of uplifting news from Enn Zed. Almost killed by bee sting; now legally blind mountainbiker aims to conquer epic bike race

And I’m outta links and ready to crash, into my bed…

Billed @$0.02, Opus

Another day spent pounding pavements, and the Feed

This was a rough one as I went to the bank to get some money out of the firewalled account, and then went grocery shopping for the stuff we couldn’t get yesterday because we didn’t have the $ in the non-firewalled account. And I still forgot the yogurt, so no yogurt for me and the poor little kitties. 😦 And I discovered that I really need to get my toes done because my toes hurt like mad from getting the too-long nails pressed against the inside of my shoes as I walked. I really wish I could still get to all my toes by myself to trim my toenails.

And I keep writing about the Sprint-T (both sizes) but many of you don’t know how long this desire has been fermenting in my brain. U.S. Speed Sport “Instant T” T-Bucket History Not quite this long, but not very long after this.

Up first in the bike links is Out Daily Ted. Morning Links: Notes from Neil Storm Stephany sentencing, and update on new Camp Pendleton bike policy

Still in CA is this infrastructure link. They’ve Invented An Ingenious New Type Of Intersection That Could Save Lives The don’t noticeably slow bike or car traffic and protect the cyclists from the cars. Good show.

With SnowmageddonII hitting the entire east coast north of FL this weekend here’s a cheery thought about the road conditions. Why rain is more dangerous than snow

This SC hit-from-behind wreck may have involved excessive speed. Woman Killed While Riding Bicycle to Work The driver had to be hospitalized, this usually means the cyclist caused a spray of glass inside the passenger compartment which requires a fair amount of velocity. LEO are not elaborating on this aspect at the time of filtering.

Meanwhile in NYC. 15-Year-Old Boy In Critical Condition Following Williamsburg Hit-And-Run When I filtered this link there was a bicycle in it, but I can’t find the bicycle now. Just a body in the street, and a red minivan.

Still in NYC a driver moving an SUV at a service garage manages to hit several parked cars in the street and two pedestrians pinning one to the side of a building. NYPD: Gas Station Worker “Lost Control” Of SUV, Ran Over Cop’s Foot, Pinned Woman To Wall I can’t believe they didn’t say “No criminality suspected” on this one. I guess that’s because he ran over a cop.

Not done with the city yet, here’s some infrastructure bad news. Say Goodbye To Jay Street’s Vital Bike Lanes “Do any of these lane designers actually ride bicycles in the city? Or is “bicycle lane” just a button in their CAD program?” j44ke. He (she?) said it better than I could. Making the street more dangerous so that cars had easier access to the BQE. (SMH)

Over in SD they are trying to force cyclists off the roads. Bicyclists Belong in the Traffic Lane

They finally got around to charging the driver in this case in MI. Suspect charged after hit-and-run death of cyclist in Ann Arbor At least they didn’t wait until the driver killed himself in another wreck like in my case. October to January…

Up there in West Canuckistan they gots an attempted killer on the loose. RCMP seek hit-and-run driver who injured cyclist in Willowbrook They turned the Mounties on him, and you know what they say about Mounties and suspects.

Still up there in the Great White North. Killer of LaSalle cyclist sentenced to nine months in jail I don’t think there is an “m” in years. There is a serious disconnect between the seriousness of the crime and the severity of the sentence.

When the building used to store your bike gets condemned, while you’re recovering from a severe chronic illness they might lose the bike. Disabled woman’s lifelong dream of cycling across Canada dashed after bike vanishes Woman has a relapse of the disease that left her riding a hand bike and had to put the bike in storage while she went home to recover and then the bike turns up missing.

In Jolly Olde a cyclist is stopped for having a flashing light 10 years after the law was changed to allow flashing lights. Police mistakenly stop cyclist for flashing rear light “We Googled it and we were wrong.” Really, the law changed in 2005 and you’re just now finding out about it?

Good news from the UK. Yeovil cyclist who suffered head and leg injuries thanks mysterious Good Samaritan When you’re hurt don’t try to “tough it out” like this guy. He had serious injuries that needed attention from medical personnel, not a home fix-up.

Rider down in Malta. Cyclist, 79, seriously injured in Birzebbuga traffic accident and Cyclist, 79, hit by car in Birżebbuġa And that’s about all LEO are saying about the wreck.

A bus hits a cyclist and takes out 3 more and leaves the scene in Oz. Gold Coast bus hits cyclists, one injured The hit-and-run is barely mentioned. “It is believed the Surfside Buslines driver was unaware he clipped the cyclist, with the bus continuing after the incident without stopping.” Seriously, WTF?

Useful art from discarded bike parts. These Awesome-Looking Chandeliers Are Made From Salvaged Bicycle Parts Used chains and wheels and a few eectrical bits, et voila! Let there be fashionable light.

Old post just brought to my attention today. So I Went Automobile Shopping… What if car buying was like bike buying? How many cars would get sold?

As the weather gets colder your e-assist bike (and your EV) will lose range because batteries don’t like cold> There’s a worrisome problem with electric cars that no one’s talking about For cars there are a couple of things you can do, pre-heat the car interior while the car is still on the charger so you are using grid rather than battery power to do the heating, and switch over to seat heat rather than cabin heat while on the road to stay warm without using as much battery power. On an e-assist bike you provide the heat inside your clothing, but the battery losing range because of the cold slowing down the chemical reactions inside the battery still applies.

Last link, this is why I have to take so many mental health days from this blog. Feeling More I know to some it seems like I can report on some serious $&(^ and it doesn’t phase me, but I have to take a lot of breaks and go read comics or other stuff between making links on this blog.

And on that note I’m going to throw a couple tags on this post and try to unwind a bit before bed.