No major stories today, so let’s get right to the links.
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Local
Unbelievable. A driver runs a red light and slams into three teenage girls in a North Hollywood crosswalk, and walks away without charges. Evidently, traffic laws really are merely suggestions for California motorists.
Caught on video: Flying Pigeon owner Josef Bray-Ali and his daughter ride a cargo bike to Dodger Stadium. Proving it is possible to ride a bike when you have children, even if it entails climbing a (small) mountain.
Smart marketing. When tourists stay at the Farmer’s Daughter Hotel on Fairfax, they not only get free use of a bicycle to tour the area, but a free pair of sneakers to encourage walking, as well.
More proof that bike riders aren’t always the good guys, as a Pasadena woman has her purse stolen by a passing cyclist; thanks to Megan Lynch for the heads-up.
Something we left off yesterday’s long list of bike events — Malibu officially cuts the ribbon on the newly installed two-mile long PCH bike lanes at 10 am on Thursday, April 29th at the Zuma Beach Parking lot, PCH and Morning View Drive.
Talented fixie riders are invited to skid, track stand and put a foot down at the DTLB Bike Fest in Long Beach starting
State
Calbike offers their monthly report; turns out that Caltrans shares, or maybe stole, their goal of tripling bicycling in the next five years. Does that mean I get to buy two more bikes?
Laguna Beach police are cracking down on distracted driving. Let’s hope every other department follows their example.
Nice story from Newbury Park, as a bike shop owner gives a homeless man a hand up by promoting the business.
The San Francisco school district becomes the latest city agency to adopt Vision Zero.
National
Trek recalls over one million bikes equipped with front disc brakes; three people have been injured when the quick release interfered with the brakes, including one who was left a quadriplegic.
Turns out you can use a hands-free device and still drive dangerously distracted.
Despite what you may have read, Millennials are 36% less likely to buy a car than GenXers, while AARP says transit, bicycles and feet are moving us to a brighter future.
USA Today suggests planning your next vacation around the nation’s top 10 bike share cities. Needless to say, LA is not on the list.
A Seattle cyclist files suit against a former city councilwoman who seriously injured him in a left cross crash.
No bias here, as a Tucson paper blames the victim of a right hook for crashing into the car. But at least he was wearing a helmet, right?
Caught on video: A Texas father tackles a man trying to ride off on his daughter’s bike after seeing the thief grab the bike on a security camera.
New York’s mayor says everyone has to yield to pedestrians and bike riders — even bus drivers, who apparently feel they have the right to run over either with impunity.
A Brit blogger provides his perspective on bicycling in New York, potholes and SUVs included; he says riding here explains why only .5% of American journeys are taken by bike. Thanks to Brian Myers for the link.
International
A stationary exercise bike developed in LA is helping paralyzed Calgary residents ride by stimulating the muscles in their legs.
Edmonton business owners demand the removal of a bike lane, saying it killed their business when it was installed two years ago.
A Montreal paper says no one should have to die before safe, adequate cycling infrastructure is pushed up the city’s priority list.
A bike tour through the French wine country goes flat. Five times.
The great anti-bike conspiracy? Vested automotive interests are working to suppress cycling, according to a Swedish filmmaker.
Finally…
As usual, Bikeyface nails it, saying we don’t need glow in the dark spray for bike riders, we need attention boosting mist for motorists. Caught on video: Stunt cyclist Danny McAskill fixes a flat. And jumps a pair of cows, too.
And the founder of Rapha says bicycling is the most important thing in many customers lives. Which is silly, of course, because that implies there’s something in life other than riding a bike.
There is so much wrong with the North Hollywood story as well as the article. Once again it was a collision not an accident and the section should be called “Traffic Collisions” not “automotive accidents” which could disqualify a lot of traffic collisions from inclusion in this column of little research or thought.
“the law enforcement agency cannot prove Vartanian was driving recklessly” Running a red light is reckless driving. Perhaps the CHP feels that these students were partly to blame because they were in the crosswalk during the flashing red hand phase and, as is often the case, law enforcement seems to be confused about the difference between solid and flashing red hand signals.
The CHP, protecting drivers from the tyranny of Pedestrians.