We have a lot to catch up on after yesterday’s unplanned absence, so let’s get right to it.
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LocalThe plan to turn an abandoned South LA railway into a Rail-to-River bikeway comes up for a vote today.
The LAPD offers tips on protecting your bike following a rash of bike thefts in the Pacific Division.
Bike riders respond to the Times’ recent editorial raising the specter of the mythical war on cars, including one from John Lloyd — aka Boyonabike — saying they have it backwards.
The LACBC’s Colin Bogart offers bike safety tips for young riders, courtesy of First 5 LA.
Bikes are making inroads in LA, even on bike-unfriendly Wilshire Blvd on the Miracle Mile.
LAist looks at Sunday’s beer-friendly Keep LA Beautiful ride with the LA Explorer’s Club.
Win two free tickets to next month’s Los Angeles Grand Prix.
A Glendale letter writer says bike riders should be ticketed just like drivers, neglecting to consider that we already are. And most drivers who break the law aren’t ticketed, either.
State
Calbike looks back at the successes and failures of this year’s legislative session, much of which was marred by Jerry Brown’s veto pen.
Thirteen California universities make this year’s list of bike friendly colleges, including UCLA, UC Irvine, Cal State Long Beach, Pomona College and Santa Monica College. But to no one’s surprise, historically bike-unfriendly USC didn’t, despite the massive number of students who ride to and on campus.
A Redlands couple riding their bikes together are assaulted by the passenger of a passing car.
Modesto mother plays detective after her son’s bike is stolen.
The San Jose Mercury News says exercising your dog by riding next to it on your bike is unnatural and cruel.
The driver who allegedly killed a San Francisco cyclist while fleeing from police in a stolen van now faces a well-deserved murder charge.
National
Surly is looking for women to help promote their line of non-spandex bikewear.
Lots of people are biking across the US these days. Not many are nine years old and riding to raise money for children with cancer, though.
The Bike League goes for a ride with Cherokee Schill, the Kentucky cyclist who was arrested for the non-crime of riding a bike in the traffic lane. They also invite you to join the I Bike, I Vote movement.
Unbelievable. Intentionally run down a bike rider in New York and flee the scene, and walk away with a whopping $250 fine.
New York is famous for ticketing cyclists for riding on the sidewalk. But it raises some serious questions when most of those tickets are issued in Black and Latino neighborhoods.
The driver who killed an Atlanta fireman training for an Ironman race in New Orleans gets a well-deserved 5-and-a-half years in prison; thanks to Chris Menjou for the heads-up.
International
Ontario, Canada considers increasing fines for drivers who door cyclists and use cell phones behind the wheel, as well as approving contraflow bike lanes.
An Ottawa Storify discusses whether ghost bikes should be taken down or left alone.
Road safety improves in Scotland, including a small drop in bicycling deaths and injuries.
Even in the bike friendly Netherlands, police ticket an even gross of bike riders for running a balky red light.
The Tour de France unveils a challenging route for next year’s race, including a finish on the legendary Alpe d’Huez. Meanwhile, British cyclist Lizzie Armistead calls for a minimum wage for female pros.
Sad news, as a Kenyon cyclist is killed while participating in a Philippine stage race.
Road riding is too scary for an Aussie bike gold medalist following the deaths of too many friends.
Finally…
The press is up in arms over bike riders hitting pedestrians in New York’s Central Park, but fail to consider that sometimes it’s the pedestrian’s fault. Even John McEnroe is complaining about lunatic bike riders in Central Park.
And in a case of bike-on-bike road rage, a London rider is kicked off his bike by a passing cyclist.
Seriously, no matter how pissed off you are, there’s never an excuse for violence — especially when it dumps another rider in the path of oncoming traffic.
