It’s a slow new day, which is a good thing since I spent most of the night sleeping off the effects of riding the blood sugar roller coaster all day yesterday.
So let’s get right to it.
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West Hollywood has committed to building only protected bike lanes from here on.
As opposed to Culver City, which seems committed to removing them.
Let’s just hope that doesn’t turn into an excuse not to build any WeHo bike lanes at all.
Passed unanimously last night!
West Hollywood becomes the first city in the LA area to only build protected bike facilities going forward.
Thank you @JohnEricksonWH @Chelsealeebee @SepiShyne @meister4weho https://t.co/D1DsVmPb6S
— Streets For All (@streetsforall) November 7, 2023
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Popular podcast The War on Cars talks with Emeryville mayor John Bauters, the country’s real bike mayor.
New episode up! We rode the bike lanes of Emeryville, California, with the city's mayor, John Bauters. He told us what elected officials really need to build an active transportation network: "I think political will is probably the biggest barrier." https://t.co/NzHsMtx0oX pic.twitter.com/Ndmo6BStDu
— The War on Cars (@TheWarOnCars) November 7, 2023
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The war on cars may be a myth, but the war on bikes just keeps on going.
No surprise here, as Chicago drivers complain about changes to a popular new protected bike lane that makes it harder for them to park illegally.
Good question. London bike riders question what “genius” thought it was a good idea to leave a utility pole standing in the middle of a new bike lane.
But sometimes, it’s the people on two wheels behaving badly.
A Seattle man faces charges after allegedly attempting to stab a man sitting outside a restaurant in the face as he rode past on his bicycle, for no apparent reason; the intended victim escaped injury when he leaned back in time to avoid the blade.
If you’re planning to burglarize a St. Louis apartment, make sure to lock your bike first so someone doesn’t toss it in a dumpster and steal your beer.
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Local
This is why you don’t try to stop a bike thief yourself. A 20-year old man is being held on $1 million bail after allegedly stabbing a man who tried to stop him from stealing a kid’s bike in Beverly Hills.
State
Calbike considers the long and winding road to Complete Streets in California.
The surf community gets out its torches and pitchforks after someone posts a photo of a sticker calling for no ebikes in California state parks.
The CHP is hosting a bike light giveaway tonight for students at UC Santa Barbara.
The San Jose Mercury News’ Mr. Roadshow recommends wearing light clothing and reflective bands at night so drivers can see you more easily, and reminds bike riders to use the bike lane, while telling drivers it’s a no-no to use one to pass someone. Then again, some drivers wouldn’t see you if you had a rotating lighthouse attached to your bike.
Sad news from Turlock, where a 33-year old man was killed by a hit-and-run driver in a Hummer while walking his bicycle.
National
Forbes lists five great American cities for bicycling, two of which are on the West Coast. And none of which is Los Angeles, to the surprise of no one.
The student newspaper at Marquette University says Milwaukee has long been known as a top city for bicyclists, but must take steps to improve.
The owner of the New York Mets introduced a plan to replace the stadium parking lot with a casino, but he’s willing to toss in a public park and bike paths, too.
A 12-year old North Carolina boy was lucky to survive when he was sucked into a muddy sinkhole up to his chest while riding his bicycle, and screamed for help for nearly three hours before some other kids heard him.
Tragic news from Virginia, where an 80-year old man riding a bicycle was killed when he was rear-ended by a driver, who got a lousy ticket for reckless driving. Anyone still riding a bike at that age deserves a hell of a lot better.
International
Cyclist says we need new classifications for drop-bar bikes. Evidently, all those road-gravel-cargo-touring-racing-hybrid hybrids are getting confusing.
London’s transportation agency has commissioned a report on sexual harassment of women bike riders to determine why women are more reluctant to ride, and what can be done about it. I’d suggest taking a clue from a classic Cheech and Chong routine, and whack their pee-pee. The harassers, I mean.
An Irish man is asking for the public’s help after a pair of bicycles worth nearly $10,000 were “allegedly” stolen from a shed at his home. Which would appear to be a classic misuse of the term “allegedly,” since they were either stolen or they weren’t.
Heartbreaking news from South Africa, where members of a bike club are considering giving up riding entirely after a member of the club was brutally attacked by thieves who stole his bike as he lagged behind the group, and left him for dead; fortunately, he survived after being stabbed in the back, with the blade missing his aorta by a mere 2 mm.
That’s more like it. Indonesia’s Bike2Work community has revoked Jakarta’s two-year old Bicycle Friendly City title effective immediately, saying the city needs to be more consistent in developing facilities for bicycling.
A New Zealand paracyclist plans to join five other riders to become the first blind bicyclist to ride the full 1,000-mile length of the island nation.
Competitive Cycling
Hats off to former L39ION of Los Angeles cyclist Freddy Ovett, who “torched” the New York City Marathon course by achieving a personal best of 2:37:18, finishing 123rd out of more than 51,000 runners.
A writer for Bicycling briefly rides shoulder-to-shoulder with two-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar, before ending up chasing him through the Alps. Unfortunately, this doesn’t appear to be available anywhere else, so you’re on your own if the magazine blocks you.
Former Portuguese sports director Nuno Ribeiro received a 25-year ban for “trafficking, possession, and supply” of illegal substances including testosterone, cortisone and steroids; he’s a two-time loser, after he was stripped of one of his two Volta a Portugal wins for testing positive for EPO in 2009. But cycling’s doping era is over, right? Right?
Finally…
Now you, too, can have a roadie bike seat with a backrest. Or you could own your very own ugly, blocky, uncomfortable bike that turns into a scooter, or maybe the other way around.
And tell me again how you can’t take your groceries home on a bike.
Boasting an enormous cargo area, the Megaliner can carry more goods than ever before.
Ideal for last-mile delivery, groceries, parcels, and more. pic.twitter.com/9dlUNHObOt— CargoCycle_official (@CargoCycle_) November 7, 2023
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Be safe, and stay healthy. And get vaccinated, already.
Oh, and fuck Putin
