Happy first day of summer! And belated Juneteenth and Father’s Day greetings!
Maybe one of these days I’ll actually catch up to the calendar.
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Let’s start by updating a pair of tragedies we mentioned yesterday.
First is an Illinois county judge who was killed when he was rear-ended by a 73-year old driver. Today brought news that he had been riding with his wife on a roadway rated by the state as unfriendly for bikes, yet which was inexplicably recommended by Google Maps; he was also a board member for a statewide bike advocacy group.
We had also mentioned that a Buffalo, NY woman was killed when a driver plowed into a group of three bike-riding women; today we learned the victim was popular singer-songwriter in the area. Police believe the crash occurred when the driver suffered some sort of medical emergency.
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This is just a fraction of the 120,000 signatures they’re ready to turn in for the Healthy Streets LA ballot proposition.
We’re getting ready for the city clerk!! https://t.co/BMDMFXdMko
— Streets For All (@streetsforall) June 21, 2022
Don’t forget tomorrow’s 2:15 pm special public meeting of the LA City Council’s Public Works and Transportation Committees to discuss a proposal to adopt the wording of the ballot proposition before it goes to a public vote this November.
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This could be a big plus for OC bike riders.
https://twitter.com/mikeocbike/status/1539032871440027648
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The estimable Will Campbell struck out in an effort to bike to the new Sandy Koufax statue at Dodger Stadium.
https://twitter.com/wildbell/status/1539032190868000768
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Lionel Mares forwards photos from Saturday’s ride along the LA River with LACBC and California Sate Senator Maria Elena Durazo and LACBC Executive Director Eli Akira Kaufman.
Speaking of the LACBC, any donations to the bike advocacy group will be matched dollar for dollar by Warner Bros. Discovery for the next month, up to a total of $25,000.
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An inspiring new video demonstrates how an adaptive athlete helped Jackson Hole, Wyoming’s “deepest, darkest” mountain bike trail welcome adaptive bike riders.
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The war on cars may be a myth, but the war on bikes just keeps on going.
Denver area sheriff’s deputies are looking for a man with a long criminal record who allegedly swerved his pickup onto the shoulder of a highway to attack a group of bicyclists Sunday morning, critically injuring one woman; deputies found his abandoned truck that night, after he had stopped briefly to dislodge a bicycle stuck underneath it.
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Local
Former LACBC board member and Laemmle Theaters owner Greg Laemmle is hosting his popular Tour de Laemmle this Sunday, welcoming anyone who wants to join him in riding to the recently sold Laemmle Playhouse 7 one last time.
The star of the documentary Q Ball was released from prison after 24 long years; he had been sentenced to life behind bars for his third strike conviction after Long Beach police found him in possession of a gun when they stopped him for riding his bike without a light. Otherwise known as a pretext stop, giving cops an excuse to stop and search someone.
State
Food giant Mondelēz International got the munchies, and gobbled up Emeryville-based maker of Clif Bars for a whopping $2.9 billion. Yes, that’s billions with a B.
National
File this one under bad ideas. President Biden is considering a temporary pause in the already too low federal gas tax, which hasn’t been raised in 29 years. There are better ways to address the pain of high gas taxes than cutting funds that support transportation spending. Like tax rebates funded by a windfall profits tax on oil companies.
No, that wasn’t former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki making fun of Donald Trump after Biden fell off his bike.
Bike Hacks offers tips on how to feel safe and confident on the road while riding at night.
A Portland man has filed suit against the city, alleging he was injured by a flashbang grenade and beaten by police during the 2020 racial justice protests, and unable to reclaim his bicycle after it was seized by officers.
A new entry-level, retro-style cruiser ebike from Seattle bikemaker E-Velo is specifically designed for riders under 5’10” tall. Although I would hardly call $3,500 “entry-level.”
Pittsburgh has installed the city’s first advisory bike lane, which channels drivers into a shared center lane, while allowing them to briefly move into the bike and pedestrian lanes on either side — just like the one that was unceremoniously ripped out in San Diego.
This is who we share the road with. Six people were injured, three critically, when a New York cabbie hit a bike rider after rounding a corner, then jumped the curb, slamming into several pedestrians and pinning two women against a wall; once again, police suspect the driver may have suffered some sort of medical episode.
Police in Tupelo, Mississippi struggled to identify a man who was killed in a hit-and-run while riding his bike Friday, before members of the public came up with his name several hours later. One more reminder to always carry ID with you when you ride — preferably something that won’t get stolen if you’re incapacitated.
International
A new Colombian law named for a 13-year old victim of traffic violence killed riding his bike commits the country to improving traffic safety through the safe systems approach, while reducing speed limits and adopting UN regulations for vehicle standards and licensing.
Canadian musician DJ JaBig is entering the final leg of a 10,000-mile ride through the US to raise funds for World Bicycle Relief; he’s less than $1,000 short of his $16,500 goal.
Bath, England decides to trade up, replacing two golf courses with a new bike park.
Angry bike riders complain about ice cream trucks illegally parked in the protected bike lanes on London’s Westminster Bridge.
Israeli approved plans to crack down on bike and e-scooter riders for crimes like riding distracted and not wearing a helmet.
Competitive Cycling
Cycling Weekly talks with Alexey Vermeulen, who bailed on a brief road cycling career to earn six figures as a gravel privateer.
Win a bike race, celebrate with a dip in the pool in full kit.
And avoid that awkward sprint to the finish with a spirited round of Rochambeau.
Rock, paper, scissors anyone? ✂
Rafaj Majka and Tadej Pogacar take a 1-2 at the Tour of Slovenia… decided by a game of rock, paper, scissors! 😅 pic.twitter.com/YfyujYGMkM
— Eurosport (@eurosport) June 18, 2022
Finally…
Why wait for bikes to hit the road when you can run them down in the shop? That feeling when a stray bike wheel shuts down the entire subway.
And once again, a bike rider is a hero. If only to our feathered friends.
This little pigeon walked right up to me as I was getting my bike out of the car and jumped up on to my arm. Seemed to be seeking shade and since it’s hot I filled a cap from my WD-40 can with my mix of water and cranberry juice I drink on rides, and now he’s a happy avian! pic.twitter.com/JaUOJZtVui
— Michael Shermer (@michaelshermer) June 20, 2022
But wait, there’s more!
And more @bikinginla https://t.co/4SHtSjyeek
— Gnostic Frypan ن (@TRutt4601) June 21, 2022
Thanks to TEOTWAWKI, aka TRutt, for the heads-up.
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Be safe, and stay healthy. And get vaccinated, already.
Oh, and fuck Putin, too.
