Hephaestus came in second again, and the Feed

Well the deity I represented in the Patron Pageant came in second place again. That means I have to sit out another year, unless Lady Ghisallo can make it, and to be totally honest I have no illusions about Ghisallo’s mass appeal outside the cycling community. For better or worse, she’s ours and we are hers, and there’s not much hope of expanding that. I see the appeal now of niche deities like Heph and Ghisallo, that aren’t exclusive but who aren’t for everyone. The problem is when you have a deity like H or G the number of people you can share your rites and rituals with are limited to people who likewise share you activities that deity endorses or otherwise espouses. People who don’t go on regular journeys have little need for a god who protects travellers, people who seldom make things have no call to request assistance from the gods of creativity. That’s just the way of things and won’t change.

I have also been asked to post a Wish List to my blog some time this week, which will probably be either tomorrow or Wednesday. I will make a separate post from the Feed so that those who care can find it easier and those who don’t care about what I want don’t have to read through it to get to the stuff they do want to read about. I’m trying to make everybody happy here.

Up first is a hit-and-run I got off Twitter. Cyclists want changes after deadly Lombard hit & run and Police ID bicyclist killed in Portland hit & run also Cyclist killed by hit and run driver on Lombard; possible suspect in custody this too Bicyclist killed in hit-and-run on Northeast Lombard not done yet Fatal hit-and-run at NE Lombard and 42nd Ave – Updated still not done Updates and reactions to Saturday’s tragic fatality on Lombard The second BikePortland link comments are especially telling to this wreck. The cyclist was hit from behind when he as forced to merge with traffic going 45+MPH because there was no room to put 2 lanes of motor vehicles and bike lanes in each direction and they were not willing to reduce motor vehicle space nor speed to accommodate bicycles. Sure, the direct cause of death was a drunk driver, but the underlying cause was the total failure of the infrastructure design. And then there was this,”We may never know, but it’s entirely possible the victim knew he was about to be hit and was trapped against the guardrail.” This was the worst possible design for cyclists, suddenly getting forced into fast traffic with no escape route possible. More reaction to the killer infrastructure design. After fatal crash, BTA calls for continuous bike lanes on Lombard

Our Daily Ted. Morning Links: Still more big hearts for the holiday season, and driverless cars won’t solve LA’s traffic problems

Also off of Twitter. War on cars (Part II) If there was a war on cars then said cars would not be getting the lion’s share of infrastructure spending and acreage, nor would 35K people die from motor vehicle wrecks every year. Everyone remember the name Greg Crosby in case he ever hits a cyclist, this guy is either writing this dreck at orders or is mentally unbalanced.

Still in CA. Car hits and kills cyclist in South San Jose No clues as to what happened in this wreck.

Another NYC hit-and-run. Woman Critically Injured By Queens Hit-And-Run Driver The driver was driving without a license and there was a warrant out on the car for speeding because they didn’t catch it to identify the driver…

A NJ wreck. Cyclist injured in Howell hit-and-run crash BOLO for a brown PU with a missing headlight and passenger side body damage.

A mysterious wreck in MD results in injuries to both the cyclist and the driver of the weapon vehicle. Cyclist seriously injured in collision with car in Rockville I can’t tell from the condition of the bike what happened.

This is an update to the OH wreck from last week. Man killed in bike crash encouraged others in recovery They are still insisting the cyclist was riding salmon in spite of the back of the bike being smashed and the front only slightly damaged.

LEO in FloriDUH blame the victim for getting hit from behind on a straight stretch of highway with no shoulder. Bicyclist identified in fatal crash in Auburndale Gee, maybe if it was dark and foggy the river of the large vehicle should have been driving slower so he could stop in the distance he could see clearly? Like the law in FL requires (316.183 (1)No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing. In every event, speed shall be controlled as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle, or other conveyance or object on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care. and (4)(e) Any special hazard exists with respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions.)

Another wreck in the most deadliest state in the US to walk or ride a bike. Fire Rescue: Cyclist killed in Lake Worth crash By all accounts this was either a hit-and-run or a murder, with the cyclist found lying dead in the road.

Another link to “that idiot” in FL. Hit-and-run suspect Randy ploughed into cyclist as woman ‘was giving him a blow job’ Yes, they said it.

Going way north to MN from that wreck to another train wreck. 2 people hit by Blue Line trains hours apart Monday and Update–Bicyclist Killed By Light Rail Train Identified Three people in a week? WTF?!?

Another link to the “hit and run cyclist” who hung around until the paramedics left and nobody took his contact information. Police searching for bicyclist who hit, seriously injured 85-year-old

Serious wreck in the Great White North. Cyclist injured in collision with tractor trailer near Brantford Looks like another driver not watching the road and adjusting speed to conditions hit a cyclist he didn’t see in time to stop or swerve.

Three years to sentence a killer driver to two years in jail? WTF Canuckistan?!? Two-year sentence handed down for drunk driver who struck, killed Winnipeg cyclist in 2012: reports They spent more time waiting on the trial than he’s going to spend in jail.

Gee, they agree with the French court that the cyclist was killed by a bad driver. Cyclist who got into the sport at 50 died riding Tour de France mountain stage when he smashed into car driven by British tourist and British cyclist who died on Alpe d’Huez was killed unlawfully, coroner rules also Cyclist from Surrey died riding part of the Tour de France when he was hit by fellow Brit in a car

Drunk driver was at fault in the wreck, really? Drink-driver knocked York cyclist off his bike Quote from the driver, who was deeply and genuinely remorseful. “I believe the cyclist was at fault,” he said. “He signalled as he moved out to the right. I gave him a minor bump.” That “minor bump” came within fractions of an inch of killing the cyclist, dude. Was attempted murder really only worth £355 total fines and 12 months without a license? and the driver’s quote doesn’t jibe with being “deeply and genuinely remorseful”.

Evidence is accumulating against the “justice” system in Malta. Institutionalised bias against bicycles

And what kind of bike was this Aussie cyclist riding when he “fell off”? Cyclist in serious condition after crashing ‘at speed’ in Hornsby

And I have been sitting at this computer for almost 12 hours, so I’m beat. I might not tag this much.

Billed @$0.02, Opus

Advertisement

Another grocery day, and another Feed

Life is continuing on. I got up Too Early this morning to get the stock for the stair railings for the church paid for and documented, and later this afternoon I’m going grocery shopping. So, Nothing New going on outside of the blog, just things continuing on. I’m two days out from getting the $1 gift card on that silly phone game I have been playing, and almost halfway to getting the $10 card.

Up first is a report on a cyclist killed several days ride south pf WoaB World HQ in the Beautiful Suburbs of Hell. Organ Donation Ceremony Held For Man Killed In Bicycle Accident I’m biased, but I think cyclist transplantable organs are of higher quality than your average couch potato.

Continuing in the “cyclists are better people” meme. LSU doctoral student killed Saturday night while riding bicycle remembered as focused, compassionate Once again a blind driver is given a free pass to kill. TANJ!

Our Daily Ted part 1. Morning Links: Confronting LA’s diabetic drivers, and bike thief’s mom gives back bike her son stole

And Ted part 2. Bike rider killed in Riverside; no details available

Still in CA. Cyclist injured, driver jailed in Marin County road-rage incident The cyclist was the victim of a “Swoop and Squat” something that used to be a favorite manuever for insurance scams. The driver admitting to it was unexpected, although it may have been more of “bragging about” than “admitting to”.

Unhappy update on the cyclist hit but a tree in NYC. Cyclist Dies Days After Tree Fell On Him In Red Hook The contractor completely ignored all safety protocols that might have prevented this tragedy.

Also in NYC. Speeding Hit & Run Driver Runs Red Light & Kills Brooklyn Woman The comments section blew up big time on this one.

More on the IL driver that killed a cyclist while DUI and got off with a gentle tap on the wrist. Stroger executive gets 100-day sentence for DUI, fatality of bicyclist Hospital exec with lots of political connections trumps middle-class veteran. So it wasn’t entirely the failure to wear the glow-in-the-dark clown suit by the victim that got this guy off of murder charges…

Meanwhile in Portland. Most of those new traffic victim memorials will be gone soon: Here’s why Again ODOT and PBOT don’t like reminders of how they failed to do their jobs.

They aren’t convinced yet that diverters are necessary? Let the city know (again) if you support diverters on SE Clinton For those not familiar SE Clinton is a bicycle boulevard that is seeing increasing motor vehicle traffic as a cut-through, placing cyclists at risk because the cars and trucks are going much faster than the speed limit.

Still in OR they have an app that allows them to ignore safety problems at a single place. State’s ORcycle app is now a one-stop shop for reporting road safety issues If you think I’m being overly cynical about this I suggest you go back to the first BikePortland link 2 paragraphs ago.

More crowd-sourcing of traffic information in the Great White North. CYCLISTS CROWD-SOURCE CLOSE CALLS ON TWITTER This is a job for the DiY DOT!

Not much information on this wreck in the Great White North. Cyclist in Bible Hill seriously injured after collision with vehicle At this point all we know is the wreck was at an intersection.

A permanent memorial to cyclist victims of motor vehicle violence in Canada. Permanent national monument for downed cyclists planned for Ottawa The idea is to somehow make cycling look fun and safe while remembering the people killed while doing it. That sounds like an oxymoron to me, too.

Meanwhile a cyclist is assaulted with a motor vehicle in Oz. Bunbury cyclist forced off the road in deliberate act The driver crossed the road and made a head-on pass at the cyclist in a deadly game of chicken.

Would you like to save your city tons of money? How Much Can Bicycling Help Fight Climate Change? A Lot, If Cities Try The benefits are more to coastal cities (especially closer to the equator), but everyone benefits from reduced noise and pollution from motor vehicles.

And that’s all I have tonight, be back tomorrow.

Billed @€0.02, Opus

Really want/need to get my neck rubbed, and the Feed

I’m working around “Arthur, Arthur Dent” as much as I can, and constantly working my neck to extend my range of motion, but DAAAaaaannnnng! do I need a massage right now… I need to get out and pay some things tomorrow, so I might get it done then. It’s not like the problem will go away by itself overnight. Working on the blog does not help matters any, also. My posture while typing is practically guaranteed to cause a neck problem from supporting my head while I type.

And this just in Yr Fthfl Srvnt was declared Next City’s Smartest Reader of the Day yesterday for my comment on the Seattle commuter dilemma.

Up first because of the many links to the story, and because of the high WTF factor involved. Pedestrian killed by falling hydro pole following collision in Concord and Cyclist killed after pole topples in collision of 2 cars also Toronto man charged after cyclist killed in Vaughan crash This was a serious level of pinball wreck that got both cyclists almost square on, as you can see from the crushed bicycles in the pictures with the articles. From watching the videos it seems the cyclists were waiting at the corner for the light to change when the wreck began and dodged one of the cars only to be crushed by the falling power pole. The bike that I assume belonged to the fatality victim was caught right in front of the seat, I can’t tell where the other bike was struck because it was removed from under the pole to treat one of the victims.

Our Daily Ted. Morning Links: An early endorsement for state senate, registration gets bikes back, and OCTA swims upstream

A literal hit-and-run in Philly. Police seek suspect who struck, killed cyclist with car in Juniata Park And this is the first time I recall seeing a F-150 called a “car”.

Another Philly wreck, where the victim’s survivors are not vindictive. Cyclist’s Family Says They Have No Ill-Will Against Driver Who Killed Him

OR road users are concerned about a recent spike in wrecks. With 40% rise in roadway deaths, activists plan to target ODOT That is an unexplained jump at a time when trends have been sharply down, so what has changed?

A Ghost Bike for the victim of that SUV buzz job in CO. ‘Ghost bike’ memorial to be held for dead cyclist

More on the alligator wreck. Weston cycling crash caused by alligator carcass sidelines spirited two-sport competitor Wow, he really is in bad shape.

A notice to GA riders. Bryan County public safety brief – Agressive Pitbull injures bicycle rider

Some people in the Great White North understand physics. There’s so much more to bike safety than helmets

More from the Great White North. Bike monument and memorial ride honour fallen cyclists This was done at about the same time as the pinball wreck discussed above.

Still more as LEO search the Great White North for a hit-and-run driver. Police seek white pickup truck in fatal hit-and-run

Last Canadian link, is your insurance valid when you are riding a bicycle? Do You Have Insurance Coverage as a Cyclist?

I was wondering what took so long after the driver was found to be driving without a license while driving a big rig involved in a fatal wreck. Freight firm bosses banned after unlicensed, uninsured driver killed cyclist

Also from the UK is another protest at the intersection where crap infrastructure and a blind truck killed a cyclist. Stop Killing Cyclists stage vigil at ‘murderous’ junction and Stop Killing Cyclists to host candlelit vigil to honour life of cyclist killed in midnight crash in Forward Drive

Back a few months ago we all thought this waste of human skin was going to be off the roads for a decent amount of time, not true. Widow of Sheffield cyclist killed by drunk driver lashes out over jail time served Six months into a 4 year sentence and she’s already at a halfway house? TANJ!

They had the only vehicles that could get through, and they were already there. Nepal’s national mountain bike team turn rescuers Another tally in the plus column for bicycle disaster drills. Sometimes the only things moving on the ground are people on foot and bicycles. Give those bicycles some cargo capacity and a mission and see what can be done.

And I’m out of links and I need to go fix dinner.

Billed @€0.02, Opus the Poet