BikinginLA

Just a quick note before we get started.

According to researchers from the University of Colorado, there is a 17% spike in traffic collisions the Monday after the spring Daylight Savings time change.

So use extra caution on the roads today, whether you’re walking, riding or driving. And as always, ride and drive defensively.

Because you can’t control what other people do. But you can be prepared to react in a safe and controlled manner, no matter what they do.

Besides, it’s a lot safer than playing rugby.

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A Nebraska researcher concludes it’s like the Wild West on our streets, as the behavior of both bicyclists and motorists are governed by unspoken rules of behavior that go beyond traffic laws. But even when riders break the law, in most cases they do it to avoid being injured or killed by a driver.

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That DIY lane barrier made up of toilet plungers in Wichita KS was a success, as the city was shamed into installing a post-protected bike lane by the guerrilla installation.

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This Sunday is your chance to bike 26 miles of empty LA streets, when the legendary early morning Marathon Crash ride returns for another year. Here’s what the LA Weekly had to say about it a few years back.

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This is why people continue to die on our streets.

An Oregon driver says it’s inevitable that he’ll drive drunk again after being sentenced to one lousy year in jail for his ninth — yes, ninth — DUI.

A Colorado woman will face anywhere from four to twelve years in jail after pleading guilty to the drunken hit-and-run death of a bicyclist; she was on probation for a previous drunk driving conviction at the time of the crash, and had two other alcohol-related arrests.

And the hit-and-run driver who killed an Irish bike rider had 49 prior convictions, and was on a temporary release from jail despite violating bail 18 times.

They all should be permanently banned from driving, as well as owning, renting or borrowing a motor vehicle.

Or sitting behind the wheel and saying “vroom, vroom,” for that matter.

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Here’s a spoiler-free report on the conclusion of the seven day Paris – Nice race: Alberto Contado made a hell of a finish, even if the next-to-last stage was too hard for a March race.

I want to be like him when I grow up. A 78-year old Englishman hopes to raise the equivalent of $73,000 by riding the full route of this year’s Giro d’Italia.

“Is that a bicycle pump in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me?” Team Sky used Viagra to get a jump on the competition.

Evidently, motor doping is nothing new. Except the motors used to be on trains.

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Local

Get your fresh bagels by bike in Silver Lake and Echo Park.

A writer for UCLA’s Daily Bruin calls on newly re-elected CD5 Councilmember Paul Koretz to be more dynamic in his final term in office. Yeah, that will happen.

Bike thefts are up on the Cal State Northridge campus.

West Hollywood’s WeHo Pedals bikeshare program will hold pop-up Hub Days at bikeshare locations around the city to explain how the program works.

Culver City is looking at plans for a bikeshare system.

Coldplay’s Chris Martin is one of us, riding in Malibu with his son.

Bellflower has approved plans for the Bellflower-Paramount Bike Trail, which will eventually connect the LA River and San Gabriel River bike paths.

 

State

Camp Pendleton will host their Hell Fire Fat Tire mountain bike race on March 18; the race is open to both military personnel and civilians. I wonder if any of the people who had their bikes confiscated by the Marines at Miramar will risk competing on the other Marine base to the north.

Palm Springs residents are calling for a road diet on Golf Club Drive to slow speeding drivers, even though city officials say it’s not a problem.

Los Gatos approves a new bike and pedestrian plan intended to create a low-stress bicycle and pedestrian network.

San Jose’s Mr. Roadshow considers the debate over AB 1103, California’s proposed Idaho Stop Law. Speaking of which, Calbike wants your signature in support of the bill.

The bike path on San Francisco’s Bay Bridge won’t open to riders on weekdays until this summer.

A Richmond couple build a bike park and give free bikes to kids, even while they’re struggling to make their own rent.

A Redding man gets busted for walking out of a bike shop with a display bicycle after his picture circulates on social media.

 

National

An auto website says one reason our roads and infrastructure are failing is an underinvestment in pedestrian and biking options.

Salon discusses how the humble bicycle continues to set women free and be a key to women’s empowerment.

The North American Handmade Bicycle Show visits Utah for the first, and possibly last, time.

Austin TX tries out an American version of the Chinese-style freestanding app-based bikeshare systems during SXSW.

A Houston bike path comes complete with a separate lane for golf carts.

Sad news from DC, where an editor for Kiplinger’s died after she was struck by a bicycle. Bikes don’t pose anywhere near the danger to others that cars do, but as this tragedy shows, a collision with a bicycle can result in serious injuries, or worse. Always slow down and ride carefully when pedestrians or less skilled riders are around.

Hilton Head NC cyclists can’t win, getting abuse from strollers if they use a bike path and from drivers if they ride in the road.

Macon GA creates a self-guided bike tour through a historic industrial district. But for some reason, promotes it by motor vehicle.

A kindhearted Florida cop bought a new bicycle out of his own pocket for a man whose bike was stolen, after learning it was his only form of transportation.

A Florida bike ministry has provided 37,000 meals and 2,700 bicycles to the needy, who have to earn the bike by working eight hours for a non-profit organization.

City Lab asks if a winding, elevated bike path could improve safety for Miami bicyclists and kickstart a cultural change in the city.

 

International

Why bother cycling at the gym when you can just fidget your way to better health?

Bike Radar wants you to remember who got you started in bicycling, and pass it on to someone else.

The Toronto Star calls on drivers to protect bike riders from doorings.

A British writer says no, the solution to the country’s cycling problems does not include making people ride in glowing tubes in the sky.

Caught on video: A Brit rider posts videos of a trio of ridiculously close passes. This is why you have to take the lane if it’s too narrow to share; hugging the curb only invites passes like this.

A TV news presenter in the UK was the victim of a distracted driving hit-and-run while riding his bike last week.

Food delivery cyclists in France have now unionized to battle the “Uberization” of delivery services.

That solar power-generating Dutch bike path has proved so successful it’s expanding into new areas — including Kern County.

Oslo will become the first city to ban cars from the city center in 2019; the city will also build more than 35 miles of bike lanes in the next two years.

Two Vietnamese men have begun independent bike tours of the country to promote organ donation.

 

Finally…

Maybe riding a bike inside the store isn’t the best idea. When riders and port-a-potties are blowing across the road, cancelling the event probably isn’t the worst idea.

And anyone can drive a stock car at 200 mph. It takes real courage to wear spandex.