One quick note before we get started.
I’m scheduled to have arm and hand surgery at the end of the month.
As you may recall, I had surgery on the right side last year, and was down for about 10 days before I was able to get back to work, however, that was a more extensive surgery than we’re expecting this time.
So I’m not sure how long I’ll be out; hopefully, it will only be a few days.
But if you’ve been thinking about writing a guest post, this would be a great time to send something to me.
Standard rules apply. Write as much or as little as you want, about anything you want, as long as it’s about bicycling. Feel free to include photos (just send them separately from the text, please).
The only restrictions are to avoid insults and personal attacks, or being needlessly offensive. But I’m pretty damn hard to offend, so that should give you a lot of leeway.
No, this is not an invitation to SEO marketers, so no extraneous links unrelated to the topic at hand.
And I’ll be the judge of what’s related.
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More proof Roadkill Gil supports bike infrastructure, as long as it doesn’t offend NIMBYs or inconvenience motorists just a tad.
https://twitter.com/gilcedillo/status/1504154264284778499
LA’s future ambassador to India seems pretty darn pleased, too, apparently taking pride in the new bike/ped bridge.
Even though his Vision Zero program has failed, and his Green New Deal is already gathering dust.
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Metro wants to teach you how to survive group rides.
https://twitter.com/MaverickMPA/status/1504279453605646338
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If you’re going to murder a couple riding their bikes, remember to pay cash — and try not to be too memorable.
The man who allegedly stabbed a Daytona, Florida couple to death as they rode their bikes back home was caught when a waitress recognized his photo, and police tracked him down from the credit card he used.
Thirty-two-year old accused killer Jean Macean has been extradited from Orlando, where he was arrested.
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This is the kind of note you write when Costco places a bench blocking the bike racks.
If you’re more polite than I am, that is.
https://twitter.com/may_gun/status/1504248818069504000
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The war on cars may be a myth, but the war on bikes just keeps on going.
It’s bad enough when a driver passes too close and ignores the painted bike lane, but even worse when it’s a cop.
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Local
The Sheriff’s Department has declared zero tolerance for speeding and crosswalk violations on PCH in Malibu in the wake of several recent pedestrian deaths. Good luck with that. If they really want to slow drivers on LA killer highway, they need to remake PCH so the Malibu’s Main Street isn’t just a speedway for pass-through drivers.
Rancho Palos Verdes will lift a 28-year ban on bicycles and skating at three local parks, in a six-month trial starting at some yet-to-be-determined date; residents have complained that they don’t have safe place to teach their kids how to ride a bike.
State
San Jose announces a $6 million plan to reduce last year’s near-record number of traffic deaths, which continue to rise even though it was one of the first US cities to adopt Vision Zero. Once again demonstrating that Vision Zero doesn’t work if you don’t actually do something.
San Francisco moved a step closer to permanently banning cars from JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park. Parks are for people, not cars.
Davis is working to reduce traffic congestion on the city’s Mace Boulevard, including installing a new protected intersection.
National
As Colorado expands its power transmission network with hundreds of miles of new power lines, the state’s bike advocates see a unique opportunity to build bike paths along the new power line routes.
Texas Monthly remembers the state’s own Mr. Rogers, who fixed bikes for all the neighborhood kids until his death at 93 years old in 2004, and says some of those bikes are still being ridden today.
A Michigan man faces a minimum of 25 year behind bars as a habitual offender after following a man on a bicycle in his car, then intentionally jumping a curb and swerving into him to steal his wallet.
Research shows more Tennessee drivers are obeying the state’s three-foot passing law, and passing bike riders at a safe distance.
Tampa, Florida is the latest city to adopt Vision Zero, in an effort to confront the city’s average of 44 traffic deaths each year.
It’s not just a SoCal problem. A Florida family wants answers after a 50-year old man was killed riding his bike home from work; his brother found his body after retracing his route a full two days after the crash that killed him.
International
Garmin has patented a new rear-view bike cam radar system, which automatically begins recording when it senses danger from behind.
Ouch. Someone broke into a shed on a Scottish property, and made off with five mountain bikes worth nearly $33,000.
After an English woman was confronted by a gang of young men while riding her bike home, she didn’t realize how close she came to being robbed — or worse — until she later watched an attacker lunge at her on her rear-facing bike cam.
Former Australian Olympic track cyclist Dean Woods brought mourners to tears by delivering his own pre-recorded eulogy at his funeral, after dying of lung cancer at 55.
Competitive Cycling
Mark Cavendish overcame a lingering cold to continue his winning ways from last year with a victory in the one-day Milano-Torino race.
Tragic news, as 28-year old Belgian cyclist Cedric Baekeland died of a heart attack while training in Spain.
Finally…
That feeling when Chick-fil-A becomes a traffic hazard. And when your pedal is no longer on speaking terms with the rest of your bike.
I'm not an expert in cycling, but I think the pedal needs to be attached to the crank… #NokereKoerse pic.twitter.com/q7EQJBVuQo
— Dan Deakins (@DanDeakins) March 16, 2022
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Be safe, and stay healthy. And get vaccinated, already.
Oh, and fuck Putin, too.
I have snapped 2 pedals off my bike, same side as this. I landed on my head both times and don’t remember what happened. Thanks helmets.
Is this a carbon fiber failure thing?
No. I’m a heavier rider and I had chrommoly pedal shafts. Evidently I rolled down off the bike onto the back of my head breaking the helmet both times. I have no memory of the impact. I switched pedal brands and haven’t had the same trouble. But I’m also older and don’t push as hard as long.