Santa Ana Context: Data reveals over 100 annual bicycle injuries or fatalities within city limits, placing Santa Ana 6th worst out of 15 comparable California cities for cyclist safety. Hit-and-run incidents are remarkably prevalent, with the city averaging 174 injury-causing hit-and-runs annually.
Anyone with information is urged to call Santa Ana Police Detective K. Briley at 714/245-8215 or the Traffic Division of the Santa Ana Police Department at 714/245-8200.
This is the 35th bicycling fatality that I’m aware of in Southern California this year, the fifth we know about in Orange County this year, and the third in Santa Ana in less than six weeks.
It was also the 10th fatal hit-and-run involving a bike rider in Southern California this year.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Francois Primeau and all his loved ones.
Just one more consequence of the city’s financial mismanagement that has led to laying off, transferring or not replacing city staffers, leaving us with no one to do the work on time.
According to LAist, the city is facing challenges in implementing the projects on time, as it has more grants than it can currently manage. Shirley Lau from the Bureau of Street Services highlighted the need for more staff, stating, “We just don’t have enough bodies.”
If the extension is not granted, the funding for the environmental review phase will lapse, forcing the city to seek alternative funding sources. This could also impact Los Angeles’ ability to secure future grants.
Which means that we will probably pay for those unfunded and unbuilt projects in yet more legal settlements for injuries that didn’t have to happen. But now probably will.
And sure, we could talk about the implausibility of Donald Trump finding joy astride US$10,700 worth of finest French carbon fibre (even if he once co-founded a bike race). We could, specifically, rant about the way that his objectively evil and stupid regime has, over his two terms, made blatant corruption an everyday banality; undermined public health; assassinated and kidnapped other world leaders; jeopardised the climate; attacked reproductive rights; weaponised public institutions against the country’s own citizens; and covered up certain scandals and manufactured others. We could speculate about his credibly documented history of sexual assault. We could point out that he seems to be an outright racist. We could tie a bow on it all by saying that he is, at an absolute minimum, just the worst dude. [This is, obviously, my personal opinion and not a broader editorial stance. But it is also correct.]
Anyway. I digress. According to some, bikes and politics should be kept separate and these bikes – a political gift – are probably worth talking about in their own right…
Unfortunately, the rest is hidden behind their paywall.
A preliminary obituary says a memorial service will be held for him in the Boston area next week, while a public celebration of life will be held in Ventura in the coming months.
More information may be added by the time you read this. However, the following section is worth highlighting now for all those who want to do something in his honor.
Donations in celebration of Colby’s life may be made to organizations working to conserve places he loved: The Green Mountain Club, protecting the Long Trail in Vermont (donation page here), and The Nature Conservancy, protecting Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands off the coast of Ventura (memorial donation page here). Livestream link (to his memorial service) to follow.
A 47-year old Beijing man rides at his own pace, narrating his explorations of the city on his bike cam while explaining his philosophy of a “balanced triangle of people, bike, and life.” Which, if I’m not mistaken, is a direct quote from Lao Tzu, or the Tao of Pooh, or something.
He’s been charged with two counts of second-degree murder in the crash, after receiving multiple Watson Advisements following a previous DUI arrest last December. He is being held without bail pending his arraignment, which has been postponed to this coming Monday.
Equivel (sic) is also facing charges of driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and driving with a blood alcohol content above the legal limit and causing injury to a third bicyclists during the same incident shared the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.
I screwed up yesterday in identifying Tucker as Standish’s boyfriend. As his brother pointed out, while they may have been dating, he was an individual in his own right. I should have known better, and I apologize.
An hour after the carjacking, Culver City police received a report that four people on foot were injured in a hit-and-run collision near Centinela Ave and Washington Blvd.
Shortly after that, the driver, later identified as 45-year old Perris resident Juan Luis Estrada, struck a motorist in the 3800 block of Sepulveda Blvd before police took up the chase, watching as Estrada allegedly swerved towards multiple people.
That included a pedestrian near Braddock Drive and Sepulveda Blvd, two teens on ebike near Culver Blvd and Le Bourget Ave, and another pedestrian near Canfield Ave and Culver Blvd.
The vehicular mayhem finally came to an end when he crashed head-on into another vehicle in a restaurant drive-thru lane in the 200 block of Washington Blvd.
Fortunately, none of the victims — who ranged in age from 15 to 70 — suffered life-threatening injuries.
Christopher Edgerton was diagnosed with very rare form of cancer, called Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, in 2018; a year later, he raised over $50,000 to fight the disease by riding across the US.
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The war on cars may be a myth, but the war on bikes just keeps going on.
Seriously? A bicyclist was injured by a New York City cop in a protected bike lane; the officer refused to apologize and repeatedly asked the cyclist for his ID, insisting the victim “came out of nowhere.” Because obviously, the presence of a bike lane doesn’t inherently imply that there might, just possibly, be someone riding on it.
But sometimes, it’s the people on two wheels behaving badly.
British baron, politician and journalist Michael Gove called out an “unmannerly” bicyclist who managed to avoid crashing into him after Gove crossed against a red light while the rider was — legally — turning left, the equivalent of a right turn here; Road.cc says the bicyclist did everything right “until he opened his mouth, and posted the footage to the world’s worst social media platform.”
Twitter post
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Local
The Los Angeles City Council approved a sweeping revision of the city charter for the fall ballot, including greater oversight of the LAPD, and voting by noncitizens in city elections — but without the popular provisions to expand the council and ranked-choice voting. Without those two, I’m a definite no vote this fall; as far as I’m concerned, they can go back to the fucking drawing board and start over until they get it right. Hopefully, someone will put a citizen’s referendum on the next available ballot.
Police in Huntington Beach busted a thief for stealing a high-end ebike, tracking him in realtime using a bait-bike valued over $2,000 to qualify as a felony theft. Which serves as a reminder that the LAPD still won’t use bait bikes to cut down on the city’s bike theft rates, based on bad advice from the City Attorney’s office that it could be considered entrapment — even though they’re successfully used and prosecuted throughout the state. Or maybe the LAPD thinks it just has more important things to do.
An op-ed from a Santa Barbara bike safety researcher says bicycle accidents bring home the need for bike and pedestrian paths. Although you’d think someone who studies bike safety would know enough to call them crashes or collisions. Or wrecks, even.
National
Good for them. Alaska officials aren’t looking for a grizzly bear that attacked a mountain biker over the weekend, arguing that after the biker startled it, “the bear defended itself from a perceived threat and then left the area, which is what any bear likely in that same situation would have done.” The bears have seniority rights on the trails, anyway.
Cheyenne, Wyoming is kicking off the city’s bike week. Which is a far cry from when cowboys in pickups used to run me off the road the few times I tried to ride there.
A 60-year old mother of seven was killed when she was hit by a freight train in a Chicago suburb last week; she was also the chief financial officer for a nonprofit working to support victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, and had been winning the battle against a rare form of blood cancer.
Speaking of the Carolinas, the South one just adopted the “Palmetto Stop,” aka Stop as Yield or Idaho Stop, becoming the first state on the east coast to allow bicyclists to treat stop signs like yields, and red lights like stop signs.
A new Dubai cycle track will “allow pelotons to velo on a network of paths and bridges from Dubai Hills to Internet City.” Although pelotons seldom use bike paths that are only wide enough for a single rider in each direction. And who the hell uses velo as a verb, anyway — never mind the “wheely” bad pun in the headline?
Um, okay. The cycling events of the 2026 Pasadena Senior Games were held at El Dorado East Regional Park in Long Beach yesterday; the 10k time trial and 20K road race were sponsored by SoCalCycling.com and the Pasadena Senior Center. Because apparently, there are no locations in Pasadena where the races could be held, such as, oh, I don’t know, maybe the Rose Bowl.
West Hollywood has been making big moves for better biking in recent years. In April 2025, the city council unanimously committed to building only protected bike infrastructure on future street projects — the first city in the Los Angeles area to do so — and followed it up by painting all existing bike lanes green on Fairfax Avenue, San Vicente Boulevard, and Santa Monica Boulevard for improved visibility. With the 2028 LA Olympics on the horizon, West Hollywood’s premier location in LA positions it as a key corridor for the broader active transportation push underway across Los Angeles ahead of the Games.
On the other hand, WeHo compared very favorably to LA’s subpar rating of 32 compared to the national average of 36, ranking us 1350th in the US, and barely in the top 200 California cities at 195.
And no, Los Angeles is not a city to watch. Even if we have climbed from the nadir of 2023, when we scored a whopping 19.
However, they still haven’t been publicly identified by any official source, so I won’t name them here. But reading what others had to say about them, it sounds like we lost some very exceptional people.
Then again, we’re all exceptional in some way, to someone.
There’s also no word yet on the name of the accused driver, who should have appeared in court by now, which raises the question of why they’re holding back his identification.
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Finally, someone in France must have a hell of a sense of humor.
There was no hot mic moment to detect the reaction of Trump, who is not known to bike and has joked about doing minimal exercise beyond regular golf outings.
Despite being called — or calling himself — the fittest, healthiest president in recent history, Trump has said he will never, ever ride a bicycle, and has mocked Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg and John Kerry for their two wheeled exploits.
The victims were riding in the bike lane on SoCal’s killer highway, just north of Ventura, when they were run down from behind.
There’s also no word on why investigators concluded the unnamed 24-year old Oxnard man was under the influence. Or why he was arrested on suspicion of murder.
It seems odd that we haven’t learned anymore by now, particularly since he was scheduled for an initial court appearance yesterday.
Although they also blame people on ebikes and e-scooters for blowing through red lights, and illegally using sidewalks. And, of course, they warn pedestrians to stay alert, rather than telling scooter riders to stay the hell off the sidewalk.
KABC-7 reports the the most dangerous intersections this year have been:
Figueroa Street and 7th Street in downtown Los Angeles – 11 crashes so far in 2026
Highland Avenue and Pat Moore Way, near the Hollywood Bowl – 6 crashes so far in 2026
Century Boulevard and Main Street in South L.A. – 5 crashes so far in 2026
Sherman Way at the 170 Freeway entrance in the San Fernando Valley – 5 crashes so far in 2026
No word on where the most dangerous sidewalks are.
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In a hard-hitting report, a San Diego grand jury says the city is not meeting its own ambitious climate goals.
Shocking, I know.
According to Streetsblog,
The new report, Shifting Gears, arrives at a moment when San Diego is trying to reconcile two competing realities. On one hand, the city has adopted ambitious goals. The Climate Action Plan calls for 10% of all daily trips to be made by bicycle by 2035. Vision Zero commits San Diego to eliminating traffic deaths and severe injuries. The Bicycle Master Plan Update is meant to create a safer and more connected network. On the other hand, San Diego remains a city where the automobile remains king. While the report itself is not binding nor enforceable, it validates San Diegans’ concerns and recommends a path forward.
Safety and connectivity remain the two biggest barriers preventing more people from choosing to bike. A recent city survey of more than 2,000 riders found that “traffic safety concerns” and “gaps in the bike network” were the first and second most frequently cited barriers to bicycling.
The report cites a disconnect bike network, where bike lanes suddenly start and stop, leaving bicyclists to confront freeway on and off-ramps on their own.
Something I can attest to from my time there four decades ago. Apparently, some things never change.
They also cite a lack of maintenance, particularly on the city’s protected bike lanes.
In fact, the only advice he has for drivers is to look before you open the door to avoid dooring bike riders. But it’s still the bike rider’s fault, even when the driver is at fault.
Motorists can prevent this by looking over their shoulder as they open the car door. But Faber believes that cyclists also share the responsibility to avoid this type of accident.
“Of course, if there’s a collision, the driver is actually to blame,” he said. “But to prevent it from happening in the first place, the cyclist must remain alert at all times and allow for the possibility that other road users might make mistakes,” he said. In practical terms, this means reducing speed and increasing their distance from parked cars passing parked cars.
And of course, he tells bicyclists to wear hi-viz and a helmet. Drivers, just look over your shoulder when you open the door to make sure there’s not someone wearing a helmet and dressed like a reflective clown riding too close to your door.
Because you don’t want to hurt someone, even if it’s their fault.
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French TV talks with American activist Shannon Galpin, who played a key role in exfiltrating the Afghan women’s cycling team following the return of the Taliban.
Which, translated from politese, means she had to get the women, and some men, out herself after UCI stopped helping with the mission, which has been ongoing since 2021.
Thanks to Megan for the heads-up.
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The war on cars may be a myth, but the war on bikes just keeps going on.
A New Jersey woman is recovering from a concussion, cuts and bruises, and a man is facing criminal charges, after she told the man and his girlfriend to slow their ebikes down, and he responded by getting off his bike and punching her in the head. Even though the bikes look like electric motorbikes, it looks like his bike has pedals, so they may actually be ebikes. Or not.
Yeah, maybe it’s time. Bicyclists in Duluth, Minnesota are invited to “Bike for Science” to gather real-world riding data to update the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s bicycle facilities design guide, which is based on data collected in the 1980s. Which, for anyone unclear on the concept, is, like, a really long time ago, okay?
Four young men who have overcome problems like substance abuse, legal troubles and emotional struggles are planning to ride 500 miles across Georgia to honor the founder of their youth home, who road 1,200 miles from Vidalia, Georgia to Omaha, Nebraska, in 1961 to help raise awareness and support for the newly established youth home.
London Penny Farthing riders set four Guinness World Records, including for the largest and smallest rideable big wheelers. Although I initially left out the “h” in “Farthing,” which would have made for a much more interesting set of records.
Seriously, don’t flee from the cops when they try to pull your bike over for multiple vehicle code violations — and don’t try to punch them out when they finally stop you. Whacking a cop with a bike pump is not one of the recommended uses for it, even if you are 86-years old.
Vicious cycles or transport revolution? The ebike battle raging in Queensland
The paper argues,
Aggrieved pedestrians and push-bike riders are pitted against those who see e-mobility as a ‘once in a generation’ chance to change the way we travel around cities
Somehow, we have to choose one side or the other, as if it’s not possible to have a “once in a generation” opportunity to change urban transportation, while acknowledging that the lack of effective regulation has allowed things to get out of hand.
Or the recent case here in Orange County, where a 14-year old boy killed an 81-year old Vietnam vet while doing wheelies on an illegal e-motorbike, leading to charges against the boy’s mother, who had ignored previous warnings from police.
On the other hand, at least he knows enough to stick around after a crash.
The result has been laws like New Jersey’s “crazy” crackdown on ebikes by requiring a license and registration for all ebikes, with no distinction between Class 1 ped-assist ebikes and illegal electric motorbikes.
Lumping all ebikes together in the public mind inevitably leads to a crackdown on every type of ebike, when the problem is only caused by a subset of riders on ebikes that have been illegally modified to exceed permitted speeds, or on electric motorbikes and dirt bikes that aren’t legally allowed on the roads as it it, at least without a driver’s license and/or motorcycle license.
The obvious solution is to crack down on the electric mo-peds, motorbikes and dirt bikes — and riders — who are actually causing the problems, without killing the “once in a generation” opportunity we have to make a real change.
The responsibility lies with the various legislatures to create a clear distinction between the two, lightly regulating the one while restricting the other.
If they can do that, we have an opportunity to make a significant dent in driving rates, with consequential benefits to traffic, road wear and tear, pollution and public health.
If not, we’ll butcher the golden goose and fry its eggs for breakfast.
I got the following press release yesterday about Saturday’s first-ever Bike the Coast Ventura. And since I’m getting lazy in my old age, I’m simply reposting it for you here.
Bike the Coast Ventura Welcomes Nearly 600 Riders at Inaugural Event
Riders of all ages and experience levels rode through the scenic coastal city, ending at the finish festival featuring local vendors and musicians
VENTURA, Calif. – The inaugural Bike the Coast Ventura hosted nearly 600 riders on June 13, welcoming participants of all ages and experience levels to ride through the scenic City of Ventura. The event partnered with local businesses and organizations to ensure that the Ventura community charm was truly highlighted throughout the event. The field of riders included Ventura locals, loyal participants of Bike the Coast San Diego, the event’s sister ride that takes place in the fall, and cyclists who traveled from Northern California, Las Vegas, and Arizona.
This year’s sponsors and partners included Visit Ventura, Downtown Ventura Association, Ventura Coast Brewing Company and Ventura Coast Cycling. The event also partnered with local charity organizations, including The Los Angeles Chapter of National MS and the Downtown Ventura Foundation. The 2026 event contributed over $6000 for their charity partners.
“When we chose Ventura as the host city for Bike the Coast, it wasn’t only because of the incredible views and scenic routes; it was also because of the incredible community,” said Mike Bone, president and CEO of Spectrum Sports Management, producer of Bike the Coast Ventura. “The Ventura locals really showed up for us throughout the planning stages and all the way up to race day. We look forward to future years of hosting this event and showcasing this amazing community.”
Participants took part in one of the three course options: the Metric Century 65-mile ride, the 40-mile ride or the rider’s favorite 20-mile family ride. Participants of the Metric Century 65-Mile ride were taken on a tour of the coastline with some hills in neighboring cities. The 40-mile and 20-mile riders were also treated with constant ocean views along their rules of the road routes. All participants wrapped up at the finish line in Promenade Park, which featured the Finish Festival that has coined the slogan, “Come for the Ride – Stay for the Party”. The free Finish Festival hosted the Ventura-based band The GAMBLE, and featured various local vendors offering food, drink and cycling-focused products and services.
San Francisco’s Bicycle Advisory Committee held its last meeting this past week, shutting down after 35 years because the city decided it was redundant because the MTA now has a Sustainable Streets Division, “with teams focused on active transportation, employs full-time bike planners and engineers, and integrates biking into multimodal planning.” Which all sounds good, but doesn’t take the place of informed advice from a citizens committee representing the voice of the public.
National
A website called Straight Arrow News looks at the America Bikes Act, saying it’s gaining traction but critics are trying to pump the brakes — but only the only critic they cite is a Missouri bicycle retailer who says ebike voucher programs have created complications for retailers, domestic bike manufacturing isn’t economically viable, and replicating European bicycle networks nationwide would be difficult. Oh, well if it’s going to be hard, let’s just give up now.
Um, okay. After man in Shelter Island NY was nearly run off the the road by a driver while riding his bike, he was relieved to discover than not only was there already a three-foot passing law, but there were already signs in place informing drivers of the fact. Which apparently did nothing to prevent that driver from buzzing him at close range.
Toronto held not one, but two separate editions of the World Naked Bike Ride, encouraging “freedom and body resistance for queer, trans, and feminist folks in the city.” Apparently, the usual idea of calling attention to bicycle safety and fossil fuels isn’t a factor there.
Oops. Former Aussie pro cyclist Rohan Dennis was stopped for driving, with his kids in the car, despite a five-year driving ban imposed as part of his extremely lenient sentencing for the death of his wife, former Olympian Melissa Hoskins.
A Paris Olympian is back on the track again, after trapped spinal fluid nearly ended her cycling days a year ago, preventing her from even completing simple tasks like tying her shoes.
