Just devastating.
Sunday night, I debated linking to a story about the death of an unidentified woman killed by an alleged stoned driver while riding in a bike lane in a Denver suburb.
I decided against it, in part because it happens every day in this motor-addled country.
Today we that woman was identified as the reigning national master’s road champ in her age category.
Forty-six-year old Gwen Inglis was riding in the foothills west of Denver, most likely headed home after an early morning ride, when a 29-year old driver drifted into the bike lane and slammed into her from behind.
This quote comes from the Denver Post.
The Bicycle Racing Association of Colorado, part of USA Cycling, released a statement mourning the loss of Inglis.
“Colorado cycling lost one of their best yesterday,” the organization said. “There are few words that can express the feeling of loss for any of our cycling community, and Gwen was a particularly special person. She was a multiple National and State Champion on the bike and very well known across the cycling community in Colorado. Even more impressive was her character off the bike. Knowing Gwen, you would immediately be aware of her strongest qualities. She consistently brought joy into all her relationships, and she openly accepted everyone.”
Inglis was the reigning road race national champion for women in the 45-49 age group. Her husband, Mike Inglis, is also a standout cyclist. The two won their classifications on the same day in an August 2019 race in Boulder.
The paper reported that her killer had previously been arrested on multiple drug-related offenses, including DUI.
Just one more example of officials keeping a dangerous driver on the road until it’s too late. Every one of whom should be held responsible for her death.
Meanwhile, VeloNews is collecting heartbreaking remembrances from the friends and competitors — usually both — who knew her best.
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However you measure it, California is a dangerous place to ride a bike.
According to Bicycling, a new report from StreetLight Data ranks states by the risk to bicyclists per miles traveled, rather than the per capita basis used by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
When comparing the old list from NHTSA, that use per capita data, to the revised list from StreetLight Data, the top 10 most dangerous states have been mostly shuffled around—particularly the top four, which list the same states in both but in a different order. New Mexico ranks the same in both, in fifth place. And California makes both the old NHTSA list and the new StreetLight Data list, but it ranks sixth on the former and tenth on the latter.
Delaware, South Carolina and Florida top the list of dangerous states, followed by Louisiana and New Mexico, while Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Utah rank as the safest.
As usual, read it on Yahoo if Bicycling blocks you.
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Streetsblog California’s Melanie Curry picks up last week’s bizarre story about respected bike safety advocate Pat Hines’ opposition to California’s AB 122, the proposed Stop As Yield law.
And the personal tragedy she relates about the death of her friend Sue Latham, who she claims was killed in a hit-and-run when they both blew through a stop sign, and she made it, while Latham didn’t.
Except it probably didn’t happen.
At least not that way.
As recently as a few weeks ago, Race Across America posted the supposed origin story on Facebook, writing that Hines and her friend, Sue Latham, were “riding together when Latham was struck by a car and killed. They were training for the 1984 Olympics. This heartbreaking event propelled Hines into public service. She became one of the nation’s most vocal and best-recognized activists in the area of traffic and bicycle safety.”
But Latham was not training for the Olympics. The two women were members of a swim club that had planned a bike ride that day, according to press reports at the time, but there is no indication that they were riding together.
And there’s no mention of a stop sign.
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More proof that free lifetime registration with Bike Index really works.
BIKE RECOVERY: "Santa Monica Police did a fantastic job by being quick, effective, and on point. Registering with Bike Index and keeping the serial number were instrumental in retrieving the bike." @bikinginla @TrekBikes pic.twitter.com/WMc6tRCLeh
— Bike Index (@BikeIndex) May 18, 2021
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It’s Bike It! Walk It! Week for Santa Monica school kids.
Thank you to dedicated Santa Monica parents + @smmusd for making Bike It! Walk It! Happen this week (May 17-21). Walk, bike, or scoot to school and get counted so your school can win the Golden Sneaker! #BikeMonth #BikeMonthSM #BikeLocalSM @santamonicacity @smspoke @askgosamo pic.twitter.com/Fny25xYa59
— SMMUSD – OFFICIAL (@SMMUSD) May 18, 2021
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Yes, you can recharge your bike through the kickstand while you’re parked. But unless it offers a lot more security, it’ll never fly on this side of the pond.
https://twitter.com/menorman/status/1394329390054404098
Thanks to Stormin’ Norman for the link.
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As long as we’re in the Netherlands, let’s go to a live news remote.
From the bike path.
https://twitter.com/annaholligan/status/1392864907889152001
Thanks to Schroedinger for the tip.
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Anyone see a problem here?
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Local
Metro continues their Bike Week celebration with 15% off Metro Bike merch, with promo code bike2021. I’m thinking about this one.
Nick Jonas is painfully one of us, somehow cracking a rib falling off his bike while filming an undisclosed project.
State
Encinitas residents will soon be able to enjoy e-bikeshare as they ride around the coastal town.
Bakersfield is celebrating an extended Bike Month with a virtual scavenger hunt.
No bias here. A San Jose letter writer complains that road diets are inconveniencing drivers for the sake of bicyclists, while a columnist explains that they’re installed to improve safety on dangerous streets, and bicyclists and pedestrians benefit from the improvements. Just like drivers who want to get home in one piece.
The New York Times considers the debate over whether cars should be allowed back in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.
A Marin writer says it may be legal to ride with your dog on a leash beside you, but it’s never a good idea.
National
Bicycling tells you everything you need to know about bike tire sizes, but were afraid to ask. Once again, read it on Yahoo if Bicycling blocks you.
A Washington state paper says ebikes are coming, ready or not.
A San Antonio councilmember is accused of inappropriate conduct by attempting to influence the judge and DA, sending a letter asking them to refuse any plea deal that doesn’t include a meaningful prison sentence for an accused drunk driver who killed a popular bike rider.
A Detroit website considers the role bike clubs play in the social fabric of the community. And have since the 1870s.
A Manhattan man was unexpectedly stabbed in both arms after getting off his bike in an apparent random attack.
International
They get it. The World Health Organization says streets are for people, and it’s time to give them back.
New UK press guidelines say it’s crash, not accident.
According to a British Parliament member, arguing that too many cars cause traffic congestion, and not bike lanes, is “bourgeoisie and woke.”
An op-ed from a Scottish bike lawyer says bicycling isn’t just for during the pandemic, and both new riders and the popup bike lanes installed for them should stick around.
Young bike riders in Madrid will now be required to wear a helmet to ride a bike or a scooter.
Unbelievable. An Aussie driver walks free following the hit-and-run death of a man riding a bicycle, after playing the universal Get Out Of Jail Free card by claiming she was unaware of the crash because the sun was in her eyes. Which doesn’t explain why she couldn’t feel or hear the impact, or notice the victim on her hood.
Competitive Cycling
Peter Sagan won the tenth stage of the Giro for the second year in a row, while Egan Bernal, Aleksandr Vlasov and Remco Evenepoel are bunched for the overall lead.
A writer for VeloNews argues that we’re in a golden age of cycling — maybe the best ever — as exemplified by this year’s Giro. Although it’s hard to argue against the age of Coppi and Bartali.
Amazing save by a cyclist in a U-23 race, who swerves to avoid a dog and narrowly avoids crashing by grabbing the rider ahead of him, surfing his frame to a safe dismount on the side of the road. Although his rescuer is none too happy about it, as shown below.
Marin school officials back off a decision to cut high school mountain bike teams loose after thousands of parents and students rise up in anger.
Finally…
It may be more aero, but probably not the best idea to ride naked from the waist down.
And don’t try taking a selfie while riding. Especially on live TV.
lmao pic.twitter.com/fLn3gIQBvc
— David Mack (@davidmackau) May 17, 2021
Thanks to Erik Griswold and Keith Johnson for the heads-up.
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Be safe, and stay healthy. And wear a mask.
And get vaccinated, already.
