The fight for justice goes on.
Following up on DA Jackie Lacey’s non-response to the LACBC’s demand for justice in the Milt Olin case, cyclist Al Williams shares an email he sent to the DA’s office. And cites a similar case from Santa Clara County where the DA actually did give a damn.
Milt Olin was cycling in a designated, marked bike lane on a clear, sunny afternoon.
While it may be legal for a sheriff’s deputy to use his computer while driving, it is not legal for him to be inattentive while driving, which he most clearly was; and it is not legal for his car to enter a designated bike lane, as his car clearly did.
It is inconceivable to conclude that Andrew Wood was other than inattentive when he struck and killed Milt Olin on 8 Dec 2013. Please correct this decision. Please correct the finding of your office. It is imperative that a message be sent that inattentiveness resulting in death will not be tolerated.
James Council, the Santa Clara County deputy sheriff who “fell asleep” while driving on duty, crossed the road, and killed Kristy Gough and Matt Peterson on March 9, 2008 was charged with vehicular manslaughter by the Santa Clara Count District Attorney, plead guilty and was convicted. (http://abc7news.com/archive/6884991/) The punishment was distressingly minor, but at least he was charged and convicted. You should follow this precedent. Failure to charge Deputy Wood is an outrage.
You can contact the DA’s office to express your own outrage any of the following ways, courtesy of the LACBC.
1. E-Mail :webmail@da.lacounty.gov, bcc: info@la-bike.org
2. Snail mail to: District Attorney’s Office County of Los Angeles 210 West Temple Street, Suite 18000Los Angeles, CA 90012-3210
3. Phone: (213) 974-3512
4. Twitter: @LADAoffice
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New Vuelta winner Alberto Contador rules out a trip to the world championships; Chris Froome finished second in the race.
Caught on video: A rider in the Tour of Britain loses it on a sharp curve and takes out several spectators.
Jeremy Powers and Katie effing Compton — no really, that’s her Twitter handle — capture the Boulder Cup cyclocross race.
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LocalThe upstart LA Register says fat bikes are big business.
Two former USC students want to cover the world with free bicycles; profits come from ads on the bikes.
Streetsblog’s Damien Newton talks with new LADOT boss Seleta Reynolds; she may just be the world-class transportation leader LA has been begging for. And deserves.
State
The Orange County Register takes an in-depth look at the state’s new three-foot law, which goes into effect on Tuesday.
Seriously? A reader poll in the San Diego Union Tribune’s story on the three-foot law says bikes are bigger road hogs than cars. I kid you not.
Incensed motorists accuse San Jose’s Mr. Roadshow of being biased towards bicyclists; bike riders get their say the next day. Personally, I’ve always found the column fair and balanced in dealing with road issues. Then again, I’m one of the one’s he’s accused of favoring.
Hundreds of Marin County cyclists ride to remember fellow rider Robin Williams.
If you’re riding with a fake gun and police try to stop you for a traffic violation, don’t try to flee into an acquaintance’s home — especially if she has meth and hash inside. Oops.
National
Miss America contestants highlight their footwear; Miss Oregon gives a whole different meaning to bike shoes.
New York bicycling injuries drop despite an increase in ridership.
A Maryland writer is shocked by the irrational hatred directed towards cyclists by online commenters, saying riders just want to safely return to their loved ones.
A Virginia writer says the first step in solving traffic problems is treating bike riders and pedestrians as respected users of the public right-of-way.
International
An 18-year old UK cyclist is back to riding after technically dying four times — whatever that means — following a trackside heart attack.
After a frequently photographed bike is stolen from the Scottish barn it leaned against for at least four decades, a local photographer contributes a suitably rusty replacement.
Another look at Australia’s first hydrogen-powered bicycle.
Finally…
Biking to work can improve your romantic relationships — and your sex life. But you already knew that, right? An actual human cyclist pulls off a video game quality stunt; even I’m impressed.
And it seems like the entire world is in an uproar over the Columbia women’s cycling team’s highly unfortunate new uniforms; some with tongue apparently planted deep in cheek.
