YES - a positive update:

Drunkcyclist.com was quick to post that CNN reports that the "Driver drops bid to sue family of boy he killed". The report is a must read.

Whew...

It's good to know with posts like this one and with posts talking about cyclists being hit by cars and such that my blog still is suitable for general audiences:

It looks like I haven't been doing my share of contributing to the swear jar. Don't worry the proceeds go to a VERY worthy cause!

Decisions, decisions...

So which one should I choose???

New kid on the block

So after numerous suggestions, a good friend and SBR teammate of mine Jim has finally hit the blogging scene.

Be sure to check out

http://stiffcrankbrassnipples.blogspot.com/

And yes, Jim, I want a back link... ;^)

Now, I am speachless...

http://drunkcyclist.com/wordpress/2008/01/27/biker-down-enaitz-iriondo/

Wow - I'm nearly speachless!

I was happy to see an update on benjacat: a blog of the bicycle obsessed today; I always like the steady and meaningful updates. At least I was happy until I read this post:

'Tis just a spleen, 'tis just a fleshwound

From what I hear, this is far too frequent an occurance. Please chime in by commenting here or on benjacat's blog, unless you don't have an opinion on this one!

Hypocrisy?

I'd read this blog post a few days ago after seeing a link to it on RocBike.

When I first read the post, I thought that the truck driver had failed to yield to the group of cyclists and that Bill Strickland's method of "Confronting The Cars" was incredibly noble. I happened back to the blog post today and it suddenly sunk in that it was the group of cyclists who had blown through a stop sign which lead up to the confrontation. Confrontation with motorists is something that many cyclists deal with on a regular basis. It's entirely different when someone confronts you for doing something wrong or illegal than if you are getting harassed for 'just riding along'.

Click View Larger Map for a closer look.


View Larger Map

When you ride don't give motorists additional reasons to harass you and/or other cyclists; instead obey traffic laws.

My comment to Bill Strickland:

I also agree with the above comments about running stop signs. Although the circumstances surrounding the confrontation with the truck and its driver aren't entirely clear (the post doesn't come out and say "we ran a stop sign"), I have posted a link to a map (Emmaus, Pa) where it may have happened. If this is the correct location, it was a 4-way stop as indicated by the white bars on the pavement.

Might the truck have had its hazard flashers on and not its right turn signal??

I applaud that you apologized to the truck driver after what happened, but would like to point out that he wasn't a "motorist cuts you off, screams, flies the finger or throws something". Unprovoked harassment of cyclists by motorists (or the other way around for that matter) does no one any good, but this wasn't exactly the situation.

I too need to make it my resolution to stop at all stop signs and traffic lights; but, I would expect to be confronted by a motorist if I disregarded a traffic law and in the process almost caused an accident.

Part of the problem is now off the road for 10.5 years

This KGUN news video will probably turn a few stomachs, as well as the additional details in this article from the Arizona Daily Star. (this link might require you to register after you first read the article, let me know if it does.)

This article in the Tuscon Citizen goes into some good detail about this tragic loss. (let me know if this link doesn't work, or if it requires registration)

I expect there will be addtional updates to this story over at: http://www.tucsonbikelawyer.com/

From CNN:

TUCSON, Arizona (AP) -- A judge sentenced a woman to nearly the maximum prison term for negligent homicide after hearing a recorded jail conversation in which she made light of the bicyclist she killed.

Don't Miss

• KGUN: Listen to recording of Arrington's phone call

Melissa Arrington, 27, was convicted two months ago of negligent homicide and two counts of aggravated DUI in connection with the December 2006 death of Paul L'Ecuyer.

She could have gotten as few as four years behind bars, but Superior Court Judge Michael Cruikshank sentenced her Tuesday to 10½ years -- one year shy of the maximum.

Cruikshank said he found a telephone conversation between Arrington and an unknown male friend, a week after L'Ecuyer was killed, to be "breathtaking in its inhumanity."

During the conversation, the man told Arrington that an acquaintance believed she should get a medal and a parade because she had "taken out" a "tree hugger, a bicyclist, a Frenchman and a gay guy all in one shot."

Arrington laughed. When the man said he knew it was a terrible thing to say, she responded, "No, it's not."

Assistant Public Defender Michael Rosenbluth told the judge his client has never been "cold, callous or flippant" about L'Ecuyer's death and has always felt remorseful.

Arrington said words couldn't express how she feels, and that once she's out of prison, she hopes to share her story with Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

L'Ecuyer, 45, was riding his bike the night of December 1, 2006 when Arrington swerved off the road, hit him and then continued for 800 feet before stopping, according to Deputy Pima County Attorney Jonathan Mosher.

Arrington's blood-alcohol content was .156 percent, nearly double Arizona's .08 legal limit. She had been driving on a suspended license for a prior DUI.

Be a Part of the Solution

Kudos to Kevin at the Century Cycles blog for posting the following:

Interested in the future of Bicycle Transportation in Northeastern Ohio? Plan on attending the "Public Citizens Involvement Committee of Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study" (AMATS) meeting tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008 at 7:00pm.

The Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS) is the federally designated agency responsible for directing the cooperative, continuous, and comprehensive (or "3-C") transportation planning process in Summit and Portage counties and the Chippewa Township area in Wayne County. This responsibility entails the development of regional transportation policies, plans, and programs, including the development of a long-term Regional Transportation Plan and a short-term Transportation Improvement Program. Their web site is: www.ci.akron.oh.us/amats

The meeting will be held in the Silver Lake Village Hall at 7:00pm. Call 330-275-2436 for additional information. This meeting will focus on transportation requirements and includes bicycling.

Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study
Citizens Involvement Committee

7:00pm January 24, 2008
Silver Lake Village Hall
2961 Kent Road

Silver Lake, Ohio

South of Sagamore Rd., the combination of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail (20 miles in Summit Co.; crushed limestone) and the Summit Hike & Bike trail (33 miles; paved) provide great cycling opportunities. These trails are widely used, even in the winter months, and they provide residents with a valuable resource. (I really miss my apt. in Stow which was literally a stone's throw away from the H & B trail!)

However, there is plenty of room for expansion, improvement, and addition of cycling facilities (both on and off road). Please show your support for this and other cycling initiatives!

Update:

Additional info on Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study:

2008 Meeting Calendar (40k pdf)
Citizens Involvement Committee Agenda - 1-24-08 (62k pdf)

Hey Thelma, Nice Rack!!

I broke down (or I should say, my car broke down), so I had to get a different vehicle. As much as I'd like to be able to live a car free, I am not at a point in my life where I am able to do so. Strangely enough, one of the primary reasons I need a car is to be able to transport my bike to races. This is how/why I was introduced to Thelma, the new lady in my life:

(Disclaimer: women and children should avert their eyes because naked pictures and a description of Thelma's sexy curves follows below.)


Click the pic for the full resolution image.

My Saris Bones 3 bike rack had given me exceptional service on my Alero. However, using the Bones with a trunk or hatchback would require me to either take the rack off or to load the groceries in the front or rear seats... The Bones rack holds bike by their frames and will wear the finish (although this can be prevented with some packing or electrical tape on the frame). The Bones also contacts the car's finish and thus precautions had to be taken to protect that as well, unless your like me and care more about your bikes than your car. Not wanting my vehicle and bikes to get Boned any longer, I initiated a breakup and decided to move on to a new relationship:

Click the pic for the full resolution image.

My new woman, Thelma, has a soft touch for the bike by lightly caressing its rubber. She's also hands off when it comes to the car. Thelma is one limber lady as she'll fold up when not in use, yet will still let me get the top glass up on the Vibe. She'll easily bend over for easy access to the rear (of the Vibe that is) or for getting my bicycle threesome on in style.

Thelma has a lifetime warranty; it's always good when you can look forward to a long term commitment! To arrange a meet up with your own Saris Thelma 3-Bike or another fine rack, see the pimps over at Bike Authority. They will gladly hook you up with a 'mail order bride' of your choosing, if the particular rack you're looking for isn't in stock.

LA - Bicycle Brawl

Jason at RocBike.com posted an Excellent link which was submitted by one of their readers, Keith. It's a week long series of articles in the LA Times on cycling issues. I've read through the articles and the debate seemed pretty balanced, however both sides showed some ill thought bias. Please feel free to leave a comment to me know and to discuss what you think!

LAT - Bicycle Brawl debate

Bicycle Brawl

Pedal-powered transportation is good for your health — no disagreement there. But should local governments and motorists accommodate it as a means of commuting equal to cars? L.A. blogger and cyclist Will Campbell and Cato Institute Senior Fellow Randal O'Toole (also a cyclist) debate bicycle infrastructure, planning and activism.

DUST-UP

Critical Mass of frustration

San Francisco has Critical Mass; L.A. has the Midnight Ridazz -- both can be nightmares for motorists. Do these gridlock-inducing bike rides help or hurt cyclists’ cause? Will Campbell and Randal O’Toole conclude their debate.

January 11, 2008

DUST-UP

Abandon thy car?

Should local governments encourage bike commuting as a way to alleviate the area’s chronic traffic congestion? Cyclists Randal O’Toole and Will Campbell continue their weeklong debate.

January 10, 2008

DUST-UP

The bike world outside L.A.

What other city (or cities) provide a good model that would allow Treks and Toyotas in L.A. to happily coexist? Cyclists Will Campbell and Randal O’Toole continue their debate.

January 9, 2008

DUST-UP

Showing cyclists the money

Last year, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said that building bike lanes and paths isn't a good use of federal transportation dollars. Is she correct? Cyclists Randal O’Toole and Will Campbell continue their debate.

January 8, 2008

DUST-UP

Huffy vs. Hummer

Bike riders and auto drivers frequently come into conflict on L.A.’s roads. Who’s to blame? All week, cyclists Will Campbell and Randal O’Toole debate bicycle infrastructure and planning.

January 7, 2008

Bike Sharing in the US?

I first heard of bike sharing a couple of months ago when my pal Dominic emailed me his observations:


"Subject: Copenhagen, Denmark - designed for bikes

The bike lanes are as wide as any automobile lane. Copenhagen also has a free bike use program. Bikes are installed in special racks that unlock with a 20 Kronor (about $3) deposit. When you finish with the bike and put it back in another rack, 20 Kronor pops back out of the rack. The bikes have tracking disks and use non-standard parts to prevent stealing. The program is paid for by advertising on the bikes"


Spring forward to today I saw an interesting post on www.rocbike.com which brought up the potential for bike sharing in the US. Click here for the full article: http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/3454/bike_sharing_is_caring/

Margo O'Hara, communications director for the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, points out that reducing dependency on the automobile--and the carbon emissions, pollution, and traffic it creates--is the most obvious attribute of bike-sharing, but a well-designed system has other virtues.

"The cool thing about bicycling," she says, "is that it's public. You're able to talk to people on your commute to work, as opposed to being in this confined vacuum of a car." Bike-sharing also provides a cheap, sustainable appendage to under-funded and overcrowded mass transit systems. "Bike-sharing is not going to replace bus or rail transit," says DeMaio, "but it's really complimentary ... because it does extend these other modes of transit's reach."

Something that comes to mind for me is my first trip to the stores of Legacy Village last weekend. Sadie and I made the mistake of going to exchange a gift around lunch time. The place was so packed, I had to drive around the lot for about 5 minutes to find any open spots. Right about then it dawned on me that I wouldn't have had that problem if we'd riden our bikes or used public transportation. It even took another 5 minutes of driving and burning gas to painfully find our way out of the maze of parking lots.

To find more info check out the Bike-sharing Blog.


I'd also like to shout back to Don over at Cycling Phun who has a blog that's quickly gaining popularity (and rightfully so). If you haven't done so yet, be sure to check out his blog. If you think it's the best thing since sliced bread, be sure to nominated him for the 2008 Bloggies.

Another poach from the Benjacat Blog

Dave's gone and done it again. He's thrown some more fuel on the fire he lit recently by pointing out Rep John Boehner's misguided comments regarding commuting by bike.

Culture?

I think the culture he refers to is more widespread than it should be; I have witnessed it firsthand. Bicycles are seen as toys while cars are seen as a part of growing up. Well America is definitely growing and not in a good way. Just do a Google search for "Fat Americans". I'll even make it really easy, just click the link so you don't need exercise your fingers. ;) I especially like the Wired article that turned up in the over 50,000 results.

We are all paying for this mentality and culture, whether we realize it or not. Pollution, rush-hour, urban sprawl, traffic accidents/fatalities, oil/gas /energy prices, obesity and other health problems could be mitigated if more people rode bikes or used public transportation.

Hopefully we can revert from this mentality and learn from the European community. Or we can just continue to be seen by the world as FAT Americans...

crossresults.com

I just saw that results from the Team Lake Effect / Bike Authority CX series have been posted to http://crossresults.com/ - SWEET

Don't know how many of you read VeloNews, but crossresults.com was recently featured as their Site of the Day.