My apologies for another unexcused absence on Friday.
One of the many insidious effects of diabetes is a dramatic decline in stamina; a handful of errands by bus was enough to knock me out all night, and most of the next morning.
On the plus side, at least I’m starting the week well rested.
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Ryan Fonseca of the Los Angeles Times takes a look at why killer drivers are so rarely charged with murder in California.
Although to be fair, it’s not just here.
From what I’ve seen, most drivers walk with just a slap on the wrist, no matter where it happens. If they get charged at all.
Here’s how he explains it.
First off, killing someone with a vehicle is simply viewed differently under the law. That difference is codified in California’s criminal law, where manslaughter — “the unlawful killing of a human being without malice” — is divided into three kinds: Voluntary, involuntary and vehicular.
The key difference between murder and manslaughter is intention. There’s also the idea of implied malice, or what’s sometimes called a depraved heart — when someone should have reasonably known that an act was potentially deadly, but they did it anyway.
Like driving 104 mph in a 45 mile zone, for instance.
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Santa Monica will consider a motion to speed up traffic safety improvements at Tuesday’s city council meeting.
Live, ride, walk in Santa Monica?
This Tuesday, council will consider an item by @jessezwick @ctorosis & @GleamDavis to make intersections safer throughout the city.
Show up to City Hall by 8 PM, or send out an email.https://t.co/SCdDN7VZlF pic.twitter.com/t4JVSvMLaS— Streets For All (@streetsforall) November 11, 2023
According to an email from Streets For All,
This item will direct the city manager to expedite requests for stop signs, update the city’s guidelines to upgrade unsignalized intersections, update the process through which residents can report dangerous intersections, improve communication between SMPD and the Department of Transportation, update the Take The Friendly Road campaign, develop a proposal to allocate funding towards infrastructure in daylighting zones to address dangerous illegal parking, and more.
It can’t come fast enough.
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Don’t forget to voice your opinion on the LA County bike plan.
It's not too late to provide your input and help make bicycling safer and easier in LA County! 🚲
Share your input for a chance to win a bike or a $200 GIFT CARD at: https://t.co/hKWo3uO6WE pic.twitter.com/obTUJgz8zx
— Streets For All (@streetsforall) November 1, 2023
On Thursday 11/16 at 6pm we're having a Streets For All virtual meeting to discuss the LA County Bike Master Plan revisions — this is your chance to speak to representatives from the County about where you want to see bike lanes! RSVP at https://t.co/UYRpGuUGXp for Zoom info 💜 pic.twitter.com/qHLTarHp1s
— Streets For All (@streetsforall) November 10, 2023
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Nice to see a good turnout for this. And maybe someday, things like this won’t be necessary anymore.
Over 50 people gathered at Fountain & Edgemont in #EastHollywood for the #ghostbike installation in memory of cyclist Robert George, who was doored & then fatally struck by an oncoming vehicle while riding NB on Edgemont on 10/17, a day after his 51st bday. #bikeLA #RobertsReach pic.twitter.com/obite6N3b3
— Elson Trinidad (@elsontrinidad) November 10, 2023
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Of course he was one of us.
Actor Richard Burton riding through two lovely bollards in Winchester, UK.
Happy #BicycleBirthday, Richard!#BornOnThisDay November 10 (1925-1984) pic.twitter.com/2ihJeBsj7U
— Cool Bike Art (@CoolBikeArt1) November 10, 2023
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The war on cars may be a myth, but the war on bikes just keeps on going.
No bias here.
But sometimes, it’s the people on two wheels behaving badly.
That feeling when the cops chase
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Local
Streetsblog reports the LA City Council has taken the first steps to implement an automated speed cam program, and officially committed to using “crash,” “collision” or “incident,” rather than “accident” to describe two drivers trying to occupy the same space at the same time. Although I’m more impressed that the LA Times now uses “traffic violence.”
State
KPBS
National
That’s more like it.
International
Police in London
Competitive Cycling
Three climate activists
Finally…
Heavy bikes need
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Be safe, and stay healthy. And get vaccinated, already.
Oh, and fuck Putin
You seem to have missed putting in a few(?) links.