Forty years.
That’s the minimum sentence the driver convicted of the Kalamazoo massacre will serve, after being convicted in the drug-fueled death of five bicyclists, and injuring four others.
Charles Pickett Jr. was sentenced to 40 to 75 years behind bars, meaning he’ll be at least 92 when he gets out if he serves his full sentence.
But at least Pickett said he sorry.
“I’ll live with this the rest of my life. I would give my life for the people I murdered, killed and maimed and everything else and I just want to say I’m sorry,” he said, wiping away tears.
The judge wasn’t having any of it, though.
The judge called Pickett’s apology “woefully inadequate,” saying that until that point, he didn’t appear remorseful for his actions. The judge also pointed out Pickett had many opportunities to stop driving before he hit the cyclists, but didn’t.
At least one survivor said his tearful apology was pretty underwhelming.
Yes, alcoholism and drug addiction are diseases. But driving under the influence is a choice.
One that can have devastating consequences for innocent people on the roads.
As well as the not-so-innocent people behind the wheel.
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Just what we need. Another way for people to be distracted behind the wheel.
The invention we never knew we needed https://t.co/IJGKZEiGIf
— Mashable (@mashable) June 11, 2018
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Local
As usual, the LA Times gets it, saying e-scooters aren’t a scourge, they’re a solution. And says Elon Musk is going to destroy Los Angeles in a dumb attempt to save it.
LA Taco looks at the arrest of Mariah Kandise Banks in the hit-and-run death of Frederick “Woon” Frazier in South LA, and the low rent attempted coverup that followed.
CiclaValley watches the Nichols Ride again, but gets some great photos in the process. And he has a good excuse for not riding.
State
Laguna Beach police conducted their annual Road Safety Expo to help stop bike and pedestrian deaths; they focused on the dangers of distracted driving, as well a bicycling and walking skills.
The people behind anti-road diet group Keep LA Moving continue to export their traffic safety denial program, this time taking up shop to halt safety improvements in Tustin. Credit Peter Flax with the link.
Ocean Beach planners approve a concept for parking protected bike lanes along West Point Loma Avenue.
A San Diego girl was lucky to escape with a bruised leg after she was hit by a turning car while allegedly riding salmon.
After a successful trial, NorCal’s Caltrain is expanding a program allowing bicycle riders to board bike cars first to make boarding more efficient.
Sad news from the Tahoe area, where a man was killed when a driver veered right into his bicycle.
National
This is who we share the roads with. A Minnesota motorist fleeing from police plowed into a playground, critically injuring two small children, as well as injuring their brother.
Akron OH looks to Copenhagen for inspiration on how to become bike friendly.
Massachusetts police can’t figure out who’s responsible for a road rage incident, so they just charge everyone (scroll down).
New York drivers can’t seem to figure out that they don’t go when the bicycle-shaped traffic signal turns green.
International
A film critic offers seven anecdotes marking the 15th anniversary of the bike-themed The Triplets of Belleville. And if you haven’t seen it, what the hell are you waiting for?
Talk about not getting it. Ontario, Canada police release a bike safety video, telling bicyclists to ride a far right as possible — even when there are sharrows on the street.
After a Nova Scotia man traded his car for a bicycle, he hopes a revised vehicle code will finally treat bike riders and drivers equally. And he’s not the only one.
Mikael Colville-Andersen of Copenhagenize fame does a little bicycle myth busting in the Guardian.
According to The Atlantic, bakfiets — aka cargo bikes — are the new symbol of gentrification in the Netherlands, as upscale white mothers take to two or three wheels in place of the family minivan.
Reporting from the Netherlands, People for Bikes says the Dutch ride a lot, but don’t go far.
Uber’s Jump e-bikeshare service has made its first foray into Europe, landing in Berlin following a botched entry with their carshare service.
Australian site The Conversation discusses how traffic signals are designed to favor cars and discourage walking.
Competitive Cycling
Canada may be getting close to legalizing marijuana, but it remains banned for cyclists under international doping rules. Seriously, has a little weed ever enhanced a cyclist’s performance? It usually has the opposite effect. Or so I’ve heard.
VeloNews recounts competitors tales from the recent 206-mile Dirty Kanza gravel race.
Twenty-seven-year old Aussie BMX champ Caroline Buchanan will compete in Texas later this month, just six months after a serious crash nearly ended her career. And her life.
Finally…
At least someone’s fixing potholes. Advice for your first naked bike ride.
And she didn’t just marry into royalty, she married into cycling.
The royal family has embraced England's love of cycling pic.twitter.com/7jYi6wXIKj
— Bicycling Magazine (@BicyclingMag) June 11, 2018
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Thanks to Mark H for his generous support of this site.
The traffic light in New York doesn’t really make sense the way it is set up. Why not have a light head, smaller, down closer to the people who will be using the light? Yes it has bike symbols, but seen from any distance it may just look like a failing regular one.
I will try to attach a picture of a better system in use here.
First you can see the regular motor vehicle traffic light head. Above is a yield sign, this means that if teh light isn’t working (usually late at night) the cross street has priority. The smaller head to the right is for right turns. There will be a green arrow to allow rights when the main light is red. This goes on in this location when the other street has a left turn signal as there are no U-turns allowed here. White arrow on the pole is the direction to the next small town. Circle X means no parking in that direction. Under that is a smaller light for cyclists. I happened to catch it as it turned from red to yellow just before green. You can see the pavers for pedestrians and the black top which is a separated bike lane. I am stopped behind the limit line.
Hope this link works.
For the above description
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOJMaB8oOZR7fKdqVG4vFzOk0v-2jD8Cw9ankrf