Due to the time I wasted spent trying to figure out what the CHP was saying about the fatal bike crash in El Cajon — and especially what the hell they left out — it’s too late to start work on a new Morning Links post for Thursday.
Don’t blame me, blame them.
We’ll be back Friday to catch up on anything we missed.
The victim, identified only as a 58-year old man, apparently died at the scene. He was reportedly riding a Centurion bicycle, which went out of production in the US at the turn of the century.
The CHP alleges the man “entered the intersection in front of the Mercedes, for reasons still under investigation.”
The CHP also notes that the victim wasn’t wearing a helmet, even though there’s no suggestion that he died of a head injury, or that the crash would have been survivable with or without one.
And they added this comment, clearly implying the victim was at fault.
“We want to remind the public that cyclists must follow the same rules as motorists,” said Cpt. Monteagudo with CHP. “By obeying traffic laws and staying alert, cyclists can protect themselves and others, reducing the risk of serious crashes. Safety on our roads is everyone’s responsibility; let’s ride smart and share the road safely.”
However, there’s no word on where either party was positioned in the intersection.
It’s possible that the driver could have been turning left onto Blossom Valley from southbound Quail Canyon, or she could have been headed south on Blossom Valley and either gone straight, or turned right onto Quail Canyon.
Or she could have been traveling north on Blossom Valley, and somehow rear-ended the victim.
According to the CHP, the driver, who suffered minor injuries in the collision, was not under the influence at the time of the crash.
There’s also no word on whether the victim might have drifted into the traffic lane or turned left onto Quail Canyon in front of the driver. Or he could have been riding against traffic on the wrong side of the roadway.
Which is exactly the problem.
We have no way of knowing what actually happened, or who may have been at fault for this crash.
But that doesn’t seem to keep the CHP from pointing the finger.
(The San Diego Union-Tribune also reported on this story, which could explain more. But their story is hidden behind a paywall for subscribers only.)
This is at least the 47th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 11th that I’m aware of in San Diego County.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and his loved ones.
Last Sunday morning, someone driving a pickup truck struck a member of our team in a hit-and-run while she was walking her dog in the Miracle Mile neighborhood. She sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized with multiple fractures for several days. She is now in stable condition and recovering. Tragically, her beloved dog, Kobe, was killed in the crash.
Kobe was part of our office family. His playful energy and easy affection brought smiles to everyone who met him, whether in the office or out at community events like CicLAvia, where he was a familiar face. Our office feels emptier without him, and our thoughts are with our colleague as she recovers from both her injuries and this heartbreaking loss.
The driver has since turned herself in, but this devastating incident is a reminder that far too many Angelenos are hurt or killed on our streets every year. In 2024 alone, more than 300 people lost their lives to traffic violence, many while simply walking or biking in their own neighborhoods. Behind every death or injury is a family changed forever, a community left grieving.
As I mentioned, the victim is a friend of my wife’s and mine, and Kobe was probably our corgi’s best friend.
They were always together, every time we saw her. And our corgi would run to give her kisses, and around Kobe a like a lovesick puppy.
Which she probably was.
To say I’ve been devastated by this whole damn thing is probably the understatement of the year.
The most heartbreaking part was when she posted news of Kobe’s passing on Instagram, saying her final memory of the dog she adored was staring into one his eyes after the crash, both unable to move to comfort the other.
And if that doesn’t bring tears to your eyes, you’re a stronger person than I am.
There’s no word yet on whether the driver has been charged. But at most, she’ll face a maximum of four years and a fine up to $10,000 for felony hit-and-run causing serious injury. Which LA prosecutors will probably bargain down to misdemeanor to get a guilty plea, unless someone puts pressure on them.
And here in California, the hit-and-run murder of her dog is just a misdemeanor property crime.
The 64-year old victim, who hasn’t been identified, was reportedly riding on Hoover Street at 20th around 3:15 am on May 28th, when he was hit head-on in a left cross by a driver turning left onto Hoover.
Who knew that both Hoover and 20th could go east and west?
What makes far more sense is if the victim was riding south on Hoover, and was struck by the northbound driver turning left onto 20th. Although you’d think that after five months the cops could get the damn details right.
The suspect vehicle, described only as a white sedan, was last seen headed west on 20th Street toward the 10 Freeway west on-ramp.
The victim was hospitalized with severe injuries. There’s no information on his current condition.
Anyone with information is urged to call Detective Holmes of the LAPD’s West Traffic Division at 213/473-0216.
And yes, there is a standing $25,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest and conviction in any serious injury hit-and-run in the City of Los Angeles.
SB 720 making it easier to install and enforce red light cams
AB 366 indefinitely extending the operation of breathalyzers for drivers found guilty of two DUIs
AB 383 lowering speed limits in school zones to 20 mph
SB 71 extends CEQA exemptions for bike, pedestrian, and transit projects past 2030
Governor Newsom also promised to sign a bill next year requiring interlock devices for anyone convicted of DUI, which would be a great step forward.
Maybe next year they could finally do something to stop hit-and-run, too. Because the LAPD sure as hell isn’t.
It’s official: SB 720 is law. 🎉 California is moving to curb red-light running and make intersections safer for everyone who walks, bikes, rolls, or drives. Thank you to every advocate who raised their voice—people power works.#SB720#VisionZeropic.twitter.com/qhWUkNqDK5
Reducing the speed limit to 30km/h across residential areas doubled the amount of bike travel on low-stress streets – creating a safer environment for children and less confident cyclists, said the study’s lead researcher, Dr Afshin Jafari.
“Slowing traffic makes bicycle riding less stressful, encouraging more people to choose bikes as a safe and viable mode of transport,” Jafari said…
Meanwhile, the study – which was published in Cycling and Micromobility Research – found car travel was barely affected by the 30km/h limit, as it was only applied on local streets rather than the busier roads – such as main roads or highways – that were designed to maximise the flow of traffic.
The war on cars may be a myth, but the war on bikes just keeps on going.
A writer for Cycling Weekly says he was passed so badly by a truck driver that an inch the wrong way would have meant he wouldn’t still be here to tell the story — and that’s normal for bicyclists, who are expected to just accept it. As the bard put it, “‘Tis true, ’tis pity, And pity ’tis, ’tis true.”
No bias here. An Irish TV commentator accuses “mouthy” wealthy cargo bike owners for a property crisis brought on by soaring home prices by trying to “ringfence cities as active travel playpens for the better off,” and forcing an entire generation to live at home with their parents. Although that doesn’t explain why we’re having the same problem over here.
But sometimes, it’s the people on two wheels behaving badly.
President Trump threatened to move next year’s World Cup out of Boston, and take the 2028 Olympics away from Los Angeles, ostensibly because of potential safety concerns. Or more likely, because he just doesn’t like us, never mind that he doesn’t have the authority to do that.
Pasadena residents strongly backed slow speed greenways on El Molino Ave, Wilson Ave, Sierra Bonita Ave and Craig Ave, with over 1,000 people signing petitions backing them, and 18 local organizations endorsing the projects, as well as 200 emails and around 35 speakers who supported them at Monday’s council meeting.
As expected, 18-year old Jzamir Keys pled guilty to second-degree murder in the death of former Bell, California police chief Andreas Probst as he was riding a bicycle in Las Vegas, with a sentence of 18-to-life; Keys was a passenger in the car who laughed and filmed the murder as Probst was intentionally run down by 20-year-old Jesus Ayala, who pled guilty last week.
The Guardian offers “expert” advice on cleaning and maintaining your bike, including a tip that you could save hundreds just by giving your bike a bath once a fortnight. Or every two weeks for those of us on this side of the pond.
Britain’s Neil Campbell set a new world bicycle speed record of 175.89 mph by drafting behind a high-powered pickup truck at a competition in Arkansas last week, topping his previous record of 174.33 mph. And to think I was happy when I finally topped 30 on level ground.
Day 287 of LA’s Vision Zero failure to end traffic deaths by 2025.
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It looks like lots of people loved Sunday’s Heart of LA CicLAvia.
One that I missed out on, since neither my wife or corgi were up to it — one because still recovering from a heart attack, and the other after getting a bunch of shots at the vet.
I’ll leave it up to you to decide which was which.
Beutner was a big supporter of bicycling when he first ran for mayor a little over a decade ago, following a bike crash led him to change careers from building a successful business to serving as Antonio Villaraigosa’s deputy mayor.
We’ll have to see if that’s still a priority for him this time around.
This is shaping up to be our best Santa Clarita event ever, and we can’t wait to see you there.
As a reminder, advance registration prices end at midnight on October 25—register now to lock in the best rate!
Whether you’re riding or running, you’ll be supporting Streets Are For Everyone’s mission to make our roads safer—and we couldn’t be more grateful for your help.
As usual, there will be an amazingraffle at the event! You can pre-purchase tickets, pick them up at packet pickup, or at our merchandise table during the event!
Thank you for being part of this important cause. We can’t wait to see you at the starting line!
♂️♂️ Costumes are encouraged, but optional for participation! ♂️
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The war on cars may be a myth, but the war on bikes just keeps on going.
It’s happened once again, again. A day after we discussed a Massachusetts driver who used his car as a weapon to run down someone on a bike, we learn that police in the UK are looking for a hit-and-run van driver who ran over a 49-year old man’s bicycle after first “racially abusing” the victim, then deliberately trying to run him over.
Fullerton residents called for protected bike lanes and better street lighting at last week’s city council meeting, after two Cal State Fullerton students were critically injured when they were struck by a truck driver while sharing an e-scooter. Although someone should tell the CSUF student newspaper that most trucks still usually have drivers.
National
NBC News offers video of Portland’s rain-soaked emergency naked bike ride to protest Trump’s militarization of the city; the reported thousands of riders were also confronted by a few dozen counterprotestors. But if the riders are wearing clear rain ponchos, are they really naked?
A college senior in my bicycle-friendly Colorado hometown credits a free bike helmet she got as a freshman with saving her life when she went headfirst over her handlebars, returning to the same event as a volunteer four years later to hand them out herself. And yes, that’s exactly the kind of relatively slow speed crash bike helmets are designed for, not protecting riders from massive SUVs as most drivers seem to assume.
The Guardian looks back on Tadej Pogačar’s total domination of the cycling season, despite battling a bout of mid-season depression, while Tour de France Femmes champ Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s extreme weight loss proves almost as divisive as trans women in amateur bike races.
The University of Colorado highlights the return of paracyclist Jason Macom, whose track cycling career ended with a severe knee injury that eventually resulted in an amputation, then a second career as a paracyclist ended when his prothesis irritated his knee; a new procedure that grafted a prothesis directly onto the bone has allowed him to make a comeback, qualifying for this week’s 2025 Para-cycling Track World Championships in Rio de Janeiro.
He was allegedly captured on surveillance video swerving his SUV into the 42-year old victim’s bike at a high rate of speed, with no sign of braking. He then drove off, abandoning his vehicle about three minutes later.
Police say he knew the victim, who had texted a woman living with the suspect just minutes before the fatal crash; she also had a bloodied bag the victim was reportedly carrying at the time of the crash.
Adding another twist to the case, a witness reported seeing a gun lying on the ground after the crash, but the weapon was gone when the police arrived.
Just one more reminder that no one needs a gun when you’ve got a motor vehicle. And every driver is at the wheel of multi-ton potential weapon of mass destruction. Fortunately, most people never use their cars that way.
But in the wrong hands, or under the wrong circumstances, they can be.
The mayor of Salisbury, England was joined by his wife and several members of the city council for a ride through the city center, highlighting their efforts to promote sustainable and active travel in and around the city.
Our current mayor, Karen Bass, campaigned insisting that she was one of us, and enjoyed riding a bike, though she preferred sticking to paths and trails over fighting it out with drivers on the streets.
But if she still does, I don’t know anyone who has seen her on one since becoming mayor.
That was when he was knocked off his bicycle by a cab driver back in 2010, despite being surrounded by police and security personnel, while learning to ride a bike so he could ride with his girlfriend.
All of which peaked with former Mayor Eric Garcetti dragging his bigass desk out to Boyle Heights to sign his Vision Zero proclamation. Which, like most of his other visionary proclamations, was never followed up on, as risk-averse city officials watered it all down until the whole damn thing went down the drain.
So maybe if Mayor Bass would ride with us once or twice — or maybe even hold her own bike summit — she might fight a little harder for her self-proclaimed fellow bike riders, rather than just ignoring us.
If not actively fighting against us, as with her ongoing efforts to avoid implementing Measure HLA.
We could hope.
She might even have a shot at regaining our support before next year’s mayoral race, which threatens to turn into a runoff between Rick Caruso and Austin Beutner.
Okay, maybe just a small shot.
But still.
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Thanks to Norm for forwarding a pair of videos
The first punctures the myth of the “Arrogant Cyclist” — the idea that cyclists are selfish, reckless, and entitled — to reveal who’s really acting entitled on our roads.
And it ain’t us.
The second examines a new Dutch-style protected intersection in Montreal, which some local drivers have labelled an “anti-car labyrinth.”
Although, to be honest, I’d be totally down with that.
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The war on cars may be a myth, but the war on bikes just keeps on going.
No bias here. Bodycam footage shows a Portland cop blaming the victim of a road rage attack — who happened to be a Licensed Cycling Instructor familiar with the law — for the crime of riding legally in the traffic lane, which apparently enraged a motorist to the point of, yes, using his car as a weapon. Then again, that cop would probably blame a shooting victim for standing in front of the bullet.
It was a rough weekend for bike riders in Northern California, with bicyclists suffering serious injuries when they were struck by drivers in Martinez, Fresno and Sacramento County.
Sacramento police have arrested three men on murder charges, three months after a man was reported missing when family members found his bicycle abandoned near a creek trail, not far from from blood stains and spent bullet casings, as officers termed his disappearance “suspicious in nature.” Gee, ya think?
Tadej Pogačar capped his dominance of the cycling world by winning Il Lombardia for the fifth time in a row, tying the legendary Fausto Coppi’s record wins for the year’s final Monument, while becoming the first man since Eddy Merckx a full 50 years ago to win three Monuments, the Tour de France and a world title in a single season.
And he would know, because he used to ride a bicycle before he gave it up because of all those dangerous drivers out there.
I’ve finally reached the conclusion that it’s all about narcissism. It’s all about appearance. It’s all about ego. People want to look cool. Dark helmets and clothes are cool. Bright helmets and clothing are not. Apparently, they are only for nerds.
It’s commonplace knowledge that we live in a culture of narcissism where one’s appearance and self-presentation are everything. And part of the culture of narcissism in Boulder is the desire to appear to others to be living life effortlessly and successfully without restrictions, just gliding masterfully through life, exempt from fear, looking good. It’s this same desire that results in motorcyclists (“organ doners,” (sic) as professional truckers call them) riding without helmets. I have a friend who spent a summer during college working in a clinic for people with head injuries. They were all men, and a high portion were motorcyclists. He said that after that experience, you could not pay him to ride a motorcycle.
Yes, unlike, say, human beings, bike riders base their entire decision on what to wear on whether they like it, and think it looks good on them.
When we all know that anyone who cared about safety would put on their oversized shoes, bright yellow vests and full clown makeup before ever leaving home.
Oh, and a screaming neon bike helmet, because everyone knows a little bit of plastic on your head will make your body impervious to any injury that might otherwise be inflicted by a speeding, distracted driver in massive SUV.
Seriously, I’m as safety conscious as anyone.
I try to wear clothing that contrasts with the environment — bright at night and cloudy days, dark on bright, sunny ones. Not because I’m a raging anti-narcissist, but because decades of experience tell me it can help get the attention of drivers.
Okay, some drivers.
And yes, I also wear a helmet, not because it’s the moral equivalent of seat belts, air bags and crumple zones, but because it might offer some degree of protection should my thick skull make contact with the pavement.
Although recognizing that bike helmets are designed to protect against relatively slow speed falls, not high-speed crashes — and acknowledging that other people may make other choices, informed or otherwise.
Because that’s what other people do.
I also believe in lighting my bike up like a Christmas tree, day and night, not because those flashing lights look pretty, but because it’s the best way I know to try to catch the attention of the people in a big, dangerous machines.
And trust me, if I knew a better way, I’d do it in a New York minute. Which somehow seems to be faster than other minutes, through some strange quirk of quantum physics.
Never mind that if you’re going to live your life in fear, you might as well just stay home hiding under the couch cushions.
And I don’t know about you, but I refuse to live that way.
As the late, great Damon Runyon wrote, “All life is 6 to 5 against.” You accept that, do what you can to improve your odds, and live your life anyway.
Narcissism be damned.
Unfortunately, the Boulder op-ed is hidden behind the paper’s paywall, so you may have trouble seeing it. Because, apparently not fully grasping how the internet works, they somehow expect you to subscribe to newspaper a thousand miles from Southern California that you may never read again.
And yes, I know print media struggling, and needs all the help they can get.
But that’s not the way to make it work. Especially when drawing more distant eyeballs could help raise ad revenue.
Today’s photo of a narcissistic ninja by Iren Fedo from Pexels.
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Rebecca forwards news of a teenaged girl killed by a hit-and-run driver while walking in Monrovia on Sunday. And even though this site is about bicycling, it’s worth sharing in an effort to find some justice for the victim, identified as Sulmy Merary Lopez.
A 16 year old was killed on Sunday in Monrovia in a hit and run. I haven’t seen much public about it yet, but the Monrovia police department has a request out for information on their socials, which has been picked up by Monrovia Now.
There is also a gofundme out. I cannot confirm the validity of this. I certainly hope it is valid, but I have no personal information.
The crowdfunding page, which is in Spanish, reads,
To all kind-hearted people who would like to contribute to the funeral of my little sister Sulmy, who was born on January 9, 2009, and passed away yesterday, October 5, 2025, at just 16 years old. She was hit by a car in a terrible accident. I hope the police can investigate these events and give us the answers we so desperately need. We sincerely ask for your help so we can repatriate her to Guatemala. My mother, Juana López, and my brother, Breily Rivas, will be grateful to any kind people who want to contribute. Thank you and many blessings.
As of this writing, the page has raised just $465 of the modest $3,500 goal.
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The war on cars may be a myth, but the war on bikes just keeps on going.
But sometimes, it’s the people on two wheels behaving badly.
A reporter for The London Telegraph stood on a corner in the city’s virtually carfree Bank District and counted 172 bike riders running red lights in a single hour, claiming it’s only a matter of time before someone gets killed. No one should ever go through a red light or crosswalk when people are crossing or riding in the other direction, but they seem to be mistaking bicycles for big dangerous machines that hurt a lot more when they hit you.
Los Angeles County’s proposed Urban Natureways initiative would reimagine the region’s underutilized flood control channels and utility corridors as “vibrant” greenways; the key corridors identified for the first phase include Compton Creek, the San Gabriel Valley’s Emerald Necklace, the Lower Los Angeles River and the Pacoima Wash.
This is why people keep dying on our streets. A 48-year old Oakland woman was arrested on DUI and hit-and-run charges after allegedly injuring a Berkeley bike rider — despite having an open DUI case from last year. Maybe we should require interlock devices as a condition of bail for anyone arrested on a DUI charge.
National
An adventure travel site ranks the top ten bicycling destinations in the US, with San Diego at number two. And yes, riding the city’s streets was definitely an adventure back when I lived down there.
This is how Vision Zero is supposed to work. A Northern Kentucky bridge is getting a Complete Streets makeover, removing a traffic lane in each direction while installing buffered bike lanes, in response to demands for change after a woman was killed by a hit-and-run driver while riding across the bridge with her boyfriend. But why do changes like this always seem to come only after it’s too late?
A Pittsburgh woman credits total strangers with saving her life, as well as her ability to walk, after she flipped her ebike into a ditch and felt her neck snap; a man who had just proposed to his girlfriend spotted her bike while driving by and got out to help — and the couple just happened to be a nurse/paramedic and an EMT.
Cycling Weekly calls Tern’s compact e-cargo bike the ultimate family vehicle, saying it’s “so easy to ride and so adaptable, it can help anyone get ‘stuff’ done.” Which I only mention because it’s exactly what I would buy, if only I could afford the price of a decent used car, which I can’t.
The CBC says some people in the local bicycling community have been scared off their bikes in Prince George, British Columbia due to a lack of safe infrastructure, in the months since one man was killed and another seriously injured when they were struck by an alleged drunk driver while training for a charity bike ride; the driver faces DUI, hit-and-run and dangerous driving charges.
Arguably the country’s largest and most popular open streets event, CicLAvia returns to the streets of DTLA, Boyle Heights and Westlake/MacArthur Park almost exactly fifteen years to the day after the original 10/10/10 event.
And yes, I still have the T-shirt, though I now keep it safely packed away for posterity.
And no, that has nothing to do with a little apparent shrinkage affecting the mid-section.
A new annual cycling and recovery event in partnership with The Phoenix & Trudging Buddies
Ojai, CA — This fall marks the inaugural SoCal Resilience Ride, a first-of-its-kind weekend bringing together cyclists, people in recovery, and community members for three days of connection, challenge, and healing. Held November 14–16, 2025 at Lake Casitas Campground in Ojai, the event blends purpose-driven rides, wellness activities, and recovery-centered fellowship.
The SoCal Resilience Ride is co-presented by Trudging Buddies and The Phoenix, two nonprofit organizations dedicated to creating recovery communities rooted in strength, service, and hope. Together, they are laying the foundation for what will become a signature annual event for Southern California’s cycling and recovery communities.
“This first year is about building something lasting. The SoCal Resilience Ride combines the healing power of community, the challenge of cycling, and the spirit of recovery into one unforgettable weekend.” — Dave O’ Brien Trudging Buddies Board Chair
What to Expect — Three Days, One Journey
Friday, November 14 — Arrival and check-in at Lake Casitas Campground, community welcome, and dinner.
Saturday, November 15 — The ride! Choose between 20, 38, or 88-mile routes with full on-route support. Non-cyclists can enjoy hikes, kayaking, and other outdoor activities. All meals provided.
Sunday, November 16 — Breakfast, morning activities, and closing community circle before departure.
With bagged lunches, full SAG and mechanical support, rest stops, and community programming, the SoCal Resilience Ride ensures a safe and memorable experience for riders of all levels.
“We’re proud to partner with Trudging Buddies to bring the SoCal Resilience Ride to life. This event creates space for resilience, unity, and sustainable recovery.” — Andy Short, The Phoenix
Sponsored by Community
This first-year event is made possible through the generosity of sponsors.
Spots are limited to 200 riders and 50 volunteers. Secure your early-bird registration before October 15 and join us for a weekend of cycling, community, and recovery.
The Los Angeles Police Department told NBC4 Investigates exclusively that the woman was taking her dog for a walk in the area of 8th Street and Cloverdale in the Miracle Mile neighborhood at around 8:30 a.m. Sunday when she – and the dog – were struck by a Toyota pickup truck.
When the truck, which may have run a stop sign, pulled over, the passenger from the car got out, but the people in the truck quickly took off from the crash site without offering to help the victim, according to the LAPD.
The story goes on to say that the driver turned herself in Sunday night. Which would have given her plenty of time to sober up if she was under the influence at the time of the crash.
Fortunately, our friend is going to recover. But her dog, who was our corgi’s best friend and the sweetest boy ever, was killed — okay, murdered — by someone who didn’t have the basic human decency to stop afterwards to see if they were okay.
And while felony hit-and-run resulting in serious injury is punishable by u to four years behind bars in this state, you can expect LA’s overburdened prosecutors to plea bargain it down to a misdemeanor, which carries a max of six months in county jail.
But since the woman turned herself in — albeit belatedly — she’ll probably walk with nothing more than probation, especially if it’s her first offense.
Meanwhile, dogs are just considered property under California law, so fleeing the scene after killing it carries a penalty of a very limp slap on the wrist.
If that.
To say I’m angry, sad and disgusted all jumbled together is the understatement of the year.
I’m also heartbroken to think our friend will come home from the hospital to an empty house, surrounded by reminders of the dog she loved.
And that none of us will ever get to see that sweet boy again.
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BlueSky user Glenn with 2 Ns offers great thread recounting a recent ride through the newly reopened Monrovia Canyon Park.
So maybe there’s hope for Los Angeles yet, if city leaders would just get their heads out of their asses take providing alternatives to driving seriously.
Calbike explains what all the various bikeway signs mean. Like the one that says No Motor Vehicles, which isn’t actually a Latin term for “drive here,” despite what some motorists seem to think.
Indiana children’s bikemaker Guardian Bikes called on the Trump administration to steeply increase tariffs on bicycles and bike frames, as well as the aluminum content of ebikes with motors greater than 250 watts, arguing that reshoring would eliminate over 200 million pounds of steel imports and 40 million pounds of aluminum imports. Even though it would probably be the death knell for the rest of the American bicycle industry (see San Diego bike shop, above).
A Pittsburgh judge ordered a local business association to post a $40,000 bond if they want to halt work on a new bike lane, as business owners once again, and predictably, try to shoot themselves in the foot by blocking bike lanes, even though they have been repeatedly shown to boost business.
Safety improvements are finally underway in Bethesda, Maryland, three years after US diplomat Sarah Langenkamp was killed by a driver while riding her bike, just weeks after moving back with her family to escape the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
International
Cycling Weekly says bike bells may be deeply uncool, but every bicyclist should have one, because you can’t rely on your free hub to tell people you’re there. Something I’d totally agree with if most bike riders didn’t already come equipped with a voice, which can do the same work more effectively, if not as charmingly.
The editor of an English-language newspaper in Florence, Italy fondly remembers her first issue, when her husband loaded stacks of the paper onto his bicycle for distribution, grateful for their 20 years printing the paper, after he died from Alzheimer’s earlier this year. A reminder that bicycles so often figure prominently in many people’s best memories.
Seriously? Bike racing journalist and analyst Thijs Zonneveld says pro cycling has a Tadej Pogačar problem, arguing that he could continue his current dominance of the sport for years. Just like the sport had an Eddy Merckx problem before him, or a Jacques Anquetil or Fausto Coppi problem, right? Never mind that American guy who shall not be named.
Day 281 of LA’s Vision Zero failure to end traffic deaths by 2025.
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Call it a mental health day.
I couldn’t get my head straight after writing about Sunday’s fatal bicycling crash in Lemon Grove, and just didn’t have it in me to write anymore about bikes yesterday. Or anything else, for that matter.
All these years of writing about fallen bike riders is really weighing on my heart, and I honestly don’t know how long I can keep it up.
Although you could have fooled me on that last part.
And only an infinitesimal amount of LA’s hit-and-runs ever results in an arrest.
Here’s an idea of how rare that is. There were more than 7,000 known hit-and-run accidents in Los Angeles from 2022 to 2024. While only a small percent of the hit and runs resulted in death, the troubling, eye popping statistic was that an infinitesimal number of hit-and-run drivers were ever arrested. How infinitesimal? Exactly 1%.
It gets even worse. The number of hit and runs, according to Los Angeles Police Department figures, have dropped in the last year. But not in South Los Angeles, where a disproportionate number of the hit and runs occur. And as the figures show, the likelihood of an arrest is slim to almost none.
He also goes on to explain the most common reasons drivers flee.
A driver who strikes another vehicle or — worse a pedestrian — often panics. They fear arrest, jailing and potentially a conviction and imprisonment.
There are many circumstances that cause hit-and-run accidents. The most common are drug and alcohol impairment, speeding, driver distraction, cell phone use and sleep deprivation drowsiness.
Drivers that hit and run flee because they have been involved in a crime, lack a valid driver’s license and/or insurance, are intoxicated or on drugs. At the very least, a driver involved in a hit and run fears not just prosecution but loss of a driver’s license.
These days, you can add immigration status to that, as people fear they could be deported by ICE if they get arrested, let alone convicted, of a traffic crime.
Hutchinson goes on to add that even LA’s standing $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of killer hit-and-run drivers isn’t enough to get witnesses to come forward, who too often fear getting involved.
The solution, according to Hutchinson, is a proposal to create special multi-agency law enforcement hit-and-run task force, followed by tough prosecution of the drivers.
All I can say is about damn time.
And good luck with that.
Because California’s lenient hit-and-run laws actually provide an incentive to flee, since the penalty for hit-and-run is often lower than for DUI or other crimes. And LA prosecutors usually bargain away serious penalties to get a guilty plea, rather than go to trial.
But even if a driver is sentenced to jail time, California’s overcrowded penal system means it’s too often a revolving door that results in an unwarranted released after serving just a fraction of their term.
If you’ve been reading this site for awhile, you know what I propose to address, if not solve, the problem.
But one way or another, we have to do something.
Because failing to make an arrest, let alone get a conviction, not only means the driver won’t be held accountable.
It means the victims have to bear to full cost of recovering from their injuries.
And more California drivers will just continue to flee.
Today’s photo may be from Long Beach’s popular Beach Streets open streets event, but it’s a gentle reminder for drivers after a crash, too.
The crash was recorded by Probst’s killers, and shared with their fellow high school students. And quickly became one of the highest profile crashes in a nationwide rash of deliberate vehicular assaults on bike riders by teens in stolen cars, and recorded for social media.
According to Las Vegas News 3, the driver, Jesus Ayala, faces a sentence of 20 years to life after pleading guilty to felony counts of robbery, battery with the use of a deadly weapon, and second-degree murder.
The deadly weapon being a car, in this case.
Jzamir Keys, the passenger who filmed the attack and laughed afterward, is scheduled to enter a guilty plea on Tuesday of next week.
Probst’s wife and children have filed a lawsuit against Ayala and Keys, as well as Hyundai Motor Company, alleging that a defect in Hyundai Elantras enabled them to steal the car they used to murder him.
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The Victorville community is rallying to support a 13-year old boy who was severely injured by a DUI driver while riding his bike last week, according to the Victorville Daily Press.
A crowdfunding campaign has raised nearly $5,000 for the victim, identified as Manuel Sanchez.
According to his uncle, he’s hospitalized on a breathing tube, with injuries including a broken leg, broken arm, lacerated liver and kidney, internal bleeding in his stomach, as well as bruised lungs and injuries to his small intestine and spleen.
Thirty-six-year old Victorville resident Rosalie Marie Morales was released on $250,000 bond, after she was booked on suspicion of DUI involving both alcohol and drugs causing severe bodily injury.
Although LA drivers probably still wouldn’t know how to navigate one.
In the 1920s, Wilshire and Western was one of the busiest intersections in LA. Chaos ensued when city planners adopted the use of a roundabout to control traffic in those pre-traffic signal days, and newspapers published graphic tutorials for motorists. pic.twitter.com/ScTbkiYGh1
Dr. Grace Peng rightfully complains that bicyclists are not allowed to use the “beautiful newly widened underpass where PCH crosses the old Pacific Electric Railway in Manhattan Beach.”
The only problem is, Manhattan Beach refuses to allow bikes to use it. @calbike.bsky.social @streetsforall.org @bikinginla.bsky.social @streetsblogla.bsky.social
Don’t miss the latest edition of Bike Talk, which has shifted from its original local Los Angeles focus to a national perspective.
@strongtowns.org founder Chuck Marohn with Strong Townish Love Letter to Suburbia author Diane Alisa, @ericbrightwell.bsky.social on the fight for bikes in WeHo, Boston Bikeway Block Party, Bikes, Birds, & BART with @bikingmzstacey.bsky.social, and more. soundcloud.com/biketalk/253…
Police in the UK complain about “inaccurate” news reports that they won’t investigate bike thefts from train stations if the bikes have been parked for more than two hours, before confirming that it is, in fact, true.
But sometimes, it’s the people on two wheels behaving badly.
A San Diego TV station says a new road diet and parking-protected bike lanes on the city’s Claremont Drive draws a mixed reaction from drivers and bicyclists — while apparently talking to exactly two people. And for the woman worried about evacuating in a fire, in the event of an emergency, feel free to use the center turn lane and wide bike lane buffer, which probably mean there’s actually more room for cars to escape, not less.
The organizers of Portland’s World Naked Bike Ride have set this Sunday as the date for their “emergency ride” in response to President Trump’s efforts to deploy the National Guard in the city. Which gives you plenty of time to get up there and join in, no suitcase necessary.
Cycling Weeklyasks if bike paths are doomed, as Donald Trump declares war on bicycles, and cities in the UK just don’t use available funding to build them.
A Canadian radio program discusses a world-traveling adventure cyclist, who returned home to ride from one end of Edmonton, Alberta to the other, and posted the video to YouTube. Although it’s kinda hard to see the video on the radio broadcast. Thanks again to Megan for the heads-up.
An op-ed writer says if anyone is truly outraged that the country spent €100,000 — the equivalent of $116,000 — to build secure bike parking at an Irish hospital, they should see what car parking costs, let alone the country’s “investment in congestion, pollution and the continuation of car-first planning.” Yes, credit Megan for that link, too.
A Senegalese bicyclist is using social media to bring calm to the roads and end the transportation culture wars, arguing that “We’re not the enemy, and drivers aren’t either.” Which is true, except only the drivers are operating multi-ton weapons of mass destruction.
Yet another young cyclist is throwing in the towel, as 23-year old Alexandre Vinokurov announced his retirement from the XDS-Astana cycling team, saying he’s “been riding in fear and pain” since a devastating crash in March when he was struck by a driver while training in Greece.
They were treated at the scene before being taken to a local hospital, where the victim died just before 10:30 pm.
There’s no word at this time how the crash occurred. However, the driver remained at the scene, and deputies don’t suspect them of DUI or reckless driving.
Which would seem to suggest they blame the victim, even though they say the crash is still under investigation.
Or maybe it was just another “oopsie.”
There is a bike lane in both directions on Troy Street, with the three-way intersection controlled only by a stop sign on Camino De Las Palmas. The position of the victim just east of Camino De Las Palmas implies the crash may have occurred either at or shortly after the intersection.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Lemon Grove Substation of the San Diego Sheriff’s Department at 619/337-2000.
This is at least the 46th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the tenth that I’m aware of in San Diego County.
Update: The victim has been identified as 35-year old San Diego resident Marco Quintero. He died shortly after being taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital in Hillcrest.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Marco Quintero and his loved ones.
Something I’ve had to stop doing because I don’t have many pieces left these days.
Bogart addressed a Life Kit article we touched on recently offering tips for bike and pedestrian safety, zeroing in on the problems with it much more effectively than I did.
Here’s just a portion of what he wrote.
I’m sure your intent was good, but there is so much we don’t do in our country to protect vulnerable road users that a piece like yours becomes victim blaming. The advice isn’t inherently bad (well, some of it is), but in the context of how poorly we as a country prevent crashes, it becomes ridiculous if you don’t address drivers directly.
You mentioned in your piece, “DON’T put yourself in danger just because you have the right of way. While drivers are responsible for driving safely, road safety is everyone’s responsibility.” I could pick apart every single recommendation you gave, but this is the worst part of your piece. No bicyclist can ride on the road, no pedestrian can cross a street, without the expectation that one’s right of way will be respected. To then say that road safety is everyone’s responsibility ignores the imbalance between vulnerable road users and motor vehicle drivers. My responsibility as a bicyclist is NOT the same as someone driving a two ton vehicle capable of high speed. It simply isn’t the same. The responsibility of the driver is far greater. And that’s why we are required to have a driver’s license and insurance to operate a motor vehicle and we’re not required to be licensed to ride a bike or walk. But it doesn’t end with a license or an insurance payment. It extends to behavior on the road and drivers should be held to a much higher standard than they currently are. We’ve lost sight of the inherent differences between drivers and vulnerable road users by stating that we’re all equally responsible. That statement also doesn’t take into account children, the elderly, or people with disabilities. There should be more onus placed on licensed drivers, simply because the act of driving a motor vehicle creates the greater risk in the first place.
And yes, it’s worth clicking on the link to read the whole thing.
Preferably after reading the Life Kit piece, which seems pretty benign at first glance, until you give it a little more thought.
“What’s going on everybody?” he said breezily. “We’re back with another stream and this one is going to be a little different from the previous ones.”
A few minutes later, he started to explain: “In a neighboring town, unfortunately, two girls were killed in a hit-and-run crash,” he said. “There has been a lot of misinformation going on over the internet. But I will say this: I wish my sincerest condolences to those girls, lost in that tragic accident.” He then said that he was “not authorized to talk about the whole thing,” and moved on.
No shit.
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Gravel Bike California goes riding with current gravel world champ and Paris-Roubaix winner Mathieu Van Der Poel.
Lucky bastards.
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The war on cars may be a myth, but the war on bikes just keeps on rolling.
The New York Times says the pedestrians, equestrians and ebike riders are competing for space in Central Park, blaming the ebikers for making the park’s roadways “increasingly chaotic” as they move through at high speeds. Yet they somehow illustrate the story by showing people riding their bikeshare ebikes rather sedately.
Results of a survey published in the journal Human Reproduction show that riding a bike with a padded saddle could reduce your chances of becoming a father, showing up to a 25% lower chance of getting a partner pregnant; riding a hard road saddle didn’t appear to have any effect. Which could cause a rush on padded bike seats among single straight men.