Just the links: A threatened SM bikeway, more injured cyclists and better bike etiquette

A long planned bikeway through Santa Monica is in jeopardy, thanks to the building plans of a major bio-tech company. If Agensys gets its way, they will block completion of the planned Michigan Ave bike path for the next 50 years, cutting off access to the upcoming Expo line from many parts of the city; somehow, they can safely accommodate cars and pedestrians, but bikes would present too much of a danger. Barbara Filet and Kent Strumpel have full details at Santa Monica Spoke.

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Adding to the worst weekend for SoCal cyclists in recent memory, two women riders on the Cool Breeze Century ride were injured when one was struck by a semi-truck on Highway 101; thanks to DC for the link.

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Ten public art works along the planned CicLAvia route. Green LA Girl offers a look at Sunday’s Tour da Arts, and says she’ll see you at tomorrow’s Streetsblog fundraiser. San Diego sees its first bike wedding; one writer calls it the best wedding ever. When it gets this hot, slow down to Tweed speed. A 17-year old cyclist is killed in Milpitas. A Chico bike trail will soon be marked with 15 foot steel sprockets. Now this is a bike. Free parking in Eugene OR could mean the loss of 288 bike spaces. Good wants you to spend a day with bike and without car, and send them a doodle to illustrate it. Kansas State students are assigned to identify physical barriers to biking. New York gets a new protected bike lane. Charleston police crack down on cyclists. A DC cyclist is fatally shot on his ride home from work. Anchorage needs a vulnerable user law, not an anti-vulnerable user law. Speaking of bike weddings, top pro Frank Schleck is officially off the market. Robbie McEwen gets left off the Aussie team for their home turf world championships. Here’s your chance to get a jersey autographed by three-time Tour de France champ Greg leMond. Guilty of nude cycling — and stopping to chat with an 11-year old girl.

Finally, traffic etiquette for cyclists — written in 1933, but it could have been written yesterday:

On corners you attempt, wherever possible, to brush the person or persons who dare to stand there. It is best if you’re travelling fast enough that you manage to knock one of them over. Then you can confirm beyond a doubt that the person in question was in your way or, in other words, ”That taught them a lesson!”…

In the courtyard you discard the bicycle as carelessly as possible, in order to give any potential bystanders the impression that you’re cool (superior in intelligence).

Ensure that the bicycle is placed so that anyone and everyone can trip over it. You’ll quickly discover that the person who trips over it will pick it up and place it politely against the wall – usually under a sign that reads: ”Bicycles will be removed”.

2 comments

  1. DC says:

    Top 10 Back to School Health Tips from the Experts at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

    #3 on the list:is Be sure your child wears a properly fitted bicycle helmet.

    Last year, 93 bicyclists under age 15 were killed and 12,500 sent to emergency rooms, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Head injuries accounted for 63 percent of all bicycle fatalities.

    “California state law requires that all children under 18 wear a helmet when they are riding a bicycle, scooter or skateboard. If a child has an accident, a helmet can prevent a serious brain injury,” said Jeffrey Upperman, MD, medical director for the Pediatric Trauma Center at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

    According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI), all helmets sold in the U.S. must meet test requirements from the Consumer Product Safety Administration. Size is a key factor, since children grow rapidly. The helmet should be comfortable, but fit snugly. The BHSI advises that in terms of safety, there is no difference between a $20 helmet and a $120 one.

    http://www.chla.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=ipINKTOAJsG&b=6089699&ct=8608851&notoc=1

    or go to the Home Page of the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and follow the links.

    • Eric B says:

      A better “Back to School Health Tip” would be to “Be sure your child walks or bikes to school”

      Last year, like the year before that, and the year before that, children became even more obese due to a lack of physical activity in their daily routine. The benefits of cycling outweigh its risks on the order of 20:1, with or without helmets. Childhood obesity causes early onset of Type II Diabetes and a whole host of life-long diseases. Walking and biking to school will add years to the child’s life.

      Sometimes it makes more sense to take the long view.

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