This 7-yr-old girl is now an orphan because a truck veered into the shoulder her parents were riding tandem and killed them both. The driver is out walking free and was never ticketed or charged.
This happened near my hometown of San Antonio and although it's breaking hearts amongst locals, I wanted this situation to be known on a larger scale because I know it's not just a San Antonio or Texas issue. Cyclists are being treated no better than deer even in cities with a bike-friendly attitude. If you are a Texan, please to go to biketexas.org and sign the BikeTexas Safe Passing petition. If you are not, please do all that you can within your own community to ensure the cyclists and pedestrians have rights out there on the road and have a better chance of getting home safely.This 7-yr-old girl is now an orphan because a truck veered into the shoulder her... more
Yesterday approximately 6o cyclists protested police harassment (photos on Flickr & Ridazz) of Santa Monica Critical Mass. In response to the 14 citations of Santa Monica Critical Mass (SMCM) riders last Friday we, the Crimanimalz, blocked 4 crosswalks for a cumulative period of 40 minutes. By walking back and forth across crosswalks continuously the Crimanimalz were able to legally create massive traffic jams. We effectively showed that legal behavior can be outrageously disruptive. Further, we showed that should the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) continue targeting cyclists on Critical Mass, there will be consequences for traffic in Santa Monica on other days.
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SMPD traffic officers clearly took the cue from their superiors. For example, while issuing over 30 tickets for “no light” violations, officers repeatedly checked the box “this is not a correctable violation.” However, every “no light” violation for a cyclist is a correctable violation in California, as the California Highway Patrol has pointed out numerous times to riders who go to pay these violation. Once a rider demonstrates that they have a corrected the violation by equipping a light, the fine drops from over $100 to just $10. By misleading cited cyclists SMPD has improved their revenue stream and cost riders thousands of dollars more than is legally justified.
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This is Santa Monica’s reminder. If we are to be painted as disruptive, then we shall act so. If we are to be treated as insignificant, then we will show that we are not. Actions like this will continue to occur, at unpredictable times, using unpredictable means, until the Santa Monica Police Department quits ticketing Santa Monica Critical Mass.
•click on article for more pictures / and full article•I had seen this current pod from traffic kills/Italy:... more
Driver under the influence of non-existent common sense.
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Christopher Thomas Thompson, 59, was charged with two felony counts each of reckless driving causing injury and battery with serious bodily injury in connection with a July 4 crash.
Prosecutors allege that on July 4, Thompson slammed on the brakes of his red Infiniti sedan in front of two cyclists riding downhill on Mandeville Canyon Road. Authorities said the impact flung one cyclist through the car's rear window and the other to the pavement.
Peter Swarth, Thompson's attorney, said in a statement about the July crash today: "We regret that charges were filed today against Dr. Thompson. The incident was an unfortunate accident and was absolutely not a case of 'road rage,' as some have suggested. Dr. Thompson continues to wish for the injured cyclists speedy recovery."
Watson said he skidded to the right of the car as the other cyclist skidded to the left, "right into on-coming traffic." The motorist drove right at the other cyclist, who then punched the car, Watson said. "He then drove straight at me."
Cyclist Ron Peterson, 40, whose head crashed through the car window July 4, had broken teeth, a broken nose and serious cuts on his face. The other cyclist, Christian Stoehr, 29, had a shoulder separation he said would require surgery.
Photos showing a car's shattered window and what appears to be blood-covered trunk and others showing an injured Peterson on a gurney and in a UCLA Medical Center bed were quickly posted on Internet blogs, prompting outraged e-mails among members of Westside riding clubs.
Peterson said that Thompson "yelled out some profanity and, 'Ride single-file!' " Peterson said he then screamed an expletive at Thompson, who he said veered in front of the riders and "slammed on his brakes as hard as he could."
Thompson is free on $30,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 1 at the airport branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court. If convicted on all counts, he will face up to seven years and eight months in state prison.
---full story at link---Driver under the influence of non-existent common sense.
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Christopher Thomas... more
I know a number of people that have actually done this.
From the website driveyourbike.org
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Welcome to the official home of the only day set aside for bike-rack awareness. We're in our second year of this important mission, and it's time for you to get involved!
Here at Drive Your Bike To Work Day, we're constantly hearing about yet another horror story about a bike left on the roof of a car while attempting to drive into a parking garage or drive-thru window.I know a number of people that have actually done this.
From the website... more
fact one/ this was not critical mass
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fact two/ I am unaware with certainty what words/actions were exchanged that caused this incident. Im the usual slow rider behind checking stuff, like this.
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lets coexist fact one/ this was not critical mass
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fact two/ I am unaware with certainty... more
WTF!
Hizzoner: "I don't run the subway system, I don't run the MTA but if I did -- if I had total power -- I guess I'd say it's too crowded for bikes."
The only wheels he wants too see are baby strollers...
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Give me a break.
My bike is my baby.
Makes the BART look like a primo limo! West is best.
By Alexander Lew //WIRED_blog
Hearing that you're not welcome on the subway because you're carrying a bicycle is disappointing to say the least, especially since biking goes hand-in-hand with public transit. That's why cyclists in the Big Apple were outraged when Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that, if it were up to him, he'd ban bikes from trains.
Bike advocates quickly denounced Bloomberg's comments.
"We have the most liberal bikes-on-transit policy in the entire country," Wiley Norvell of Transportation Alternatives, the city's leading bicycle advocacy group, told the New York Post. "Without that access, it would be a huge blow to biking in the city."
Yet the mayor says the only wheels he wants to see on subways are on baby strollers? The irony of that is not lost on Norvel, who said, "the idea that you can take on a cello, stroller or drum set but not bikes is ridiculous."
The MTA seems to agree. So far, it hasn't changed its policy.
- - - click link for full article - - -WTF!
Hizzoner: "I don't run the subway system, I don't run the MTA but if I did --... more
Front and rear safety lights (blinkies) protect you well in many riding situations. But blinkies are weakest when viewed from the side. Unfortunately, side visibility is the most common cause of nighttime bicycle-car collisions. Every time you approach a turn or an intersection, your side visibility is key to drivers seeing you.
Bike commuting, early morning training, and sunset rides should be inspiring, relaxing, fun and invigorating. And they can be, when you take the right safety measures. To feel relaxed and confident at those intersections, you need to know that drivers from all angles, especially the sides, can see you as early as possible. Front and rear safety lights (blinkies) protect you well in many riding situations.... more
Sam Slaven is an Iraq War veteran who came home from the War plagued by feelings of hate and anger toward Muslims. This American Life producer Lisa Pollak tells the story of the unusual action Sam took to change himself, and the Muslim students who helped him do it. Sam Slaven is an Iraq War veteran who came home from the War plagued by feelings of... more
A few days ago, On 28 October 2007, a landmark art exhibition opened in southern Sudan to promote peace and reconciliation in a war-devastated area.
From Rueters:
"The exhibition, the first of its kind in the region, comes amidst growing tensions as a peace agreement, signed in 2005, looks increasingly fragile. The exhibition, The Art of Reconciliation, which has taken two years to organise, was the brainchild of the Bishop of Malakal, Hilary G Deng, himself an artist specialising in sculpture."
If you happen to be near southern Sudan be sure to find out more info or check it out. If you have additional imagery for this event, please send it to results@coexistonline.comA few days ago, On 28 October 2007, a landmark art exhibition opened in southern Sudan... more
It's been nearly 30 years since Elvis Costello and The Attractions first popularized this Nick Lowe song... but have you ever really listened to the lyrics? There's nothing funny about them, and the message still rings true today.
How have we progressed toward "Peace Love and Understanding" in the last 30 years? Have we progressed? It's been nearly 30 years since Elvis Costello and The Attractions first popularized... more
There's a new generation of Muslim's who are pushing the doors open to other faiths and cultures, and no longer towing the separatist agenda. This video shows an example of the courage involved in making a call for coexistence -- to a Muslim community. This is Moez Masoud. There's a new generation of Muslim's who are pushing the doors open to other faiths... more
