Morning Links: Villaraigosa announces 2018 gubernatorial run, and pro cyclists stunned by election results

Former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa formally announced his long-expected candidacy for governor of California in 2018 when Jerry Brown’s term ends.

It was under Villaraigosa’s watch that CicLAvia began and the comprehensive 2010 bike plan was adopted, with his now forgotten commitment to build 40 miles of bike lanes a year.

And yes, it all started when he fell off his bicycle.

Let’s hope he makes support for bicycling a key part of his campaign platform.

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Not surprisingly, the pro cycling world is horrified over the results of this week’s election. Except for Russian former team owner Oleg Tinkov.

An excerpt from a new book looks at the early career of America’s only remaining Tour de France winner.

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Local

The victim’s wife — and the only witness — in Sunday’s road rage carjacking describes the fight with the bike rider who killed her husband and stole their car. A GoFundMe account to pay funeral expenses has raised $19,000 of the $30,000 goal.

The LACBC says there were lots of questions but few answers at the Army Corps of Engineer’s workshop this week to discuss the sudden closure of the LA River bike path. Which isn’t surprising, given the Corps tight-lipped, we-know-best reputation.

The CHP will increase traffic safety education efforts and step up enforcement of bike and pedestrian safety violations in Santa Clarita, regardless of whether they’re committed by drivers, pedestrians or bicyclists.

If you’re in need of a good ciclovía to raise your spirits after a stressful week, Long Beach’s Beach Streets open streets event comes to the city’s Midtown neighborhood this Saturday.

In ten years the Long Beach Coastal Coaster bike group has grown from a few friends to several hundred coaster bike riders flooding the city on the first Sunday of every month.

 

State

A law firm ranks the most dangerous intersections in California, almost all of which are in the Los Angeles area; eight of the top ten are in the San Fernando Valley.

A USC graduate just passed into Mexico on a ride from Alaska to Argentina to raise awareness about spinal chord injuries after a friend was paralyzed in a drunk driving crash.

San Luis Obispo’s proposed transportation sales tax increase falls to a narrow defeat; Sacramento’s plan also went down in a photo finish, as well. Which is ridiculous when California’s two-thirds requirement to increase taxes means the will of the overwhelming majority of voters is ignored. And don’t get me started on the electoral college.

 

National

American voters approved $170 billion in transportation funding, including public transit, and bicycle and pedestrian projects to make up for a shortfall in federal funding, which is likely to get much worse under the incoming administration. Although Strong Towns says let’s not waste any of it on sharrows.

Forbes discusses how HED Cycling’s Anne Hed picked up the pieces after the death of her husband, and co-founder of the company.

A local Eugene OR weekly discusses how local advocates are working to remove the barriers to bicycling.

A Houston radio station talks with one of the authors of a new study from the Urban Land Institute that shows real estate developers can see big returns by including facilities for walking and bicycling.

An Iowa driver is under arrest for intentionally running down a bike rider while high on drugs; unfortunately, no reason for the attack was given.

What the hell is going on in Michigan these days? Four bicyclists were struck in a hit-and-run, once again in Kalamazoo County; fortunately, only two of the riders were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

A new North Carolina law requires cyclists to have a red rear light on their bike or wear reflective clothing at night.

 

International

Police in the UK are looking for a bike rider — not to arrest him, but to thank him for loaning his bike to an officer to chase after a suspect.

The parents of an Irish boy killed in crash while riding his bike channeled their grief into donating ten defibrillators to the local police department.

The mayor of Islamabad, Pakistan will inaugurate new segregated bike lanes.

The new Chinese LeEco Super Bike comes complete with virtually everything built-in, except e-power.

 

Finally…

Evidently, there’s an illegal motorized bicycle scene here in Southern California. Most nine-year olds are content to ride their bikes in the playground.

And wheelie-popping kids terrorize Philadelphia.

No, wheelie.

 

2 comments

  1. The Iowa link goes to the Pakistani bike lane article.

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