In case you missed it yesterday, an LA-based traffic safety denier penned a virtually fact free, alternative universe op-ed attacking road diets and Vision Zero that was inexplicably published in Saturday’s Wall Street Journal, apparently without the benefit of fact checking.
You can see my dissection and rebuttal of his arguments here.
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Tragic news from Highland, where Erik Griswold forwards word that bike rider was killed in a collision yesterday.
No other information is available at this time.
We’ll have more details when they become available.
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The Eastside Bike Club reports that a section of the Arroyo Seco Bike Path washed away in the recent storms.
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More fallout from Whoopiegate, as New York Governor Andrew Cuomo becomes just the latest high profile figure to incorrectly blame New York City’s traffic problems on bike lanes and pedestrian plazas.
This comes after Whoopie Goldberg blamed delays in her daily car commute from New Jersey on a New York bike lane that doesn’t even exist.
Meanwhile, the mother of a fallen bicyclist ripped Whoopie over her comments. And New York’s Families for Safe Streets asked to be invited on the View to explain how bike lanes might have saved their loved ones.
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The war on cars may be a myth, but the war on bikes goes on. Especially in the UK.
An English farmer got off with just 12-months probation for a punishment pass on a bicyclist with his tractor, followed by a brake check that nearly rammed the rider into the spikes on his equipment, followed by a physical assault, all because “They [cyclists] are always in the way; always annoying like that.”
A British bicyclist was shot with a pellet gun while riding at an offroad BMX and mountain bike track.
And the latest in a rash of violent bike-jackings in the UK.
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Peshawar, Pakistan’s first-ever woman’s bicycle rally was cancelled after three conservative religious groups threatened to protest it; a spokesperson for one group accused the women spreading obscenity by riding bikes.
Pakistanis reportedly reacted in outrage at the cancellation. Or at least, some did, anyway.
And organizers blamed another group for risking the lives of participants by leaking plans for the event.
Meanwhile, sad news as two members of the Pakistani national cycling team suffered life-threatening injuries in a training crash; no word on whether there was a driver involved.
Thanks to Megan Lynch for the heads-up.
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No sympathy from BBC presenter Jeremy Vine, who trolled Prince Philip with bike cam video of a careless driver cutting off a bicyclist, just days after His Royal Husband rolled his Rover after apparently cutting off another driver.
Naturally, the 97-year old prince played the universal Get Out of Jail Free Card, claiming he was “dazzled” by the sun.
Although a better play might have just been to say “my wife is the Queen.” Even if the other driver does want him prosecuted.
As with any elderly driver, though, the question is who could actually get him to stop driving, even if he does pose a risk to others.
Thanks to John Dammon for the tip.
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Um, okay.
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Local
According to Spectrum News 1, CD5 Councilmember Paul Koretz is working to make LA a leader in environmental action. Although I don’t understand how blocking pre-approved, shovel-ready bike lanes and maintaining the deadly automotive hegemony on our streets makes Los Angeles a leader in anything except dangerous streets and worsening air.
The new cable news channel did redeem itself, however, by doing reports on ghost bikes, and bike theft in DTLA.
The national Winter Bike to Work Day will finally be coming to the City of Angels, as the LACBC announced it will be observing the event on Friday, February 8th. Now the ball is in LADOT’s and Metro’s court to promote the event. Or even mention it, for that matter.
LADOT is hiring an assistant general manager for external affairs.
The Los Angeles Times looks at LA County’s attempt to shove the e-scooter genie back in the bottle, as it struggles to avoid becoming another Venice or Santa Monica. Because really, who would want more clean, efficient personal transportation when you can still squeeze a few more cars onto the streets?
Speaking of the Times, the paper endorses congestion pricing on LA freeways, but questions whether Metro can do it in a way that is both effective and fair. Although using the funds to expand bus service and bikeways, while eliminating transit fares, is a good start.
Hollywood is hopping on the ebike bandwagon, with everyone from Miley Cyrus and Vin Diesel to Jay Leno, Ellen DeGeneres and William Shatner getting on the pedals.
Downey is launching its new docked bikeshare program this Thursday, in conjunction with Metro.
A new law will allow Santa Monica’s Breeze docked bikeshare to integrate more smoothly with bikeshare systems in surrounding cities.
State
The allegedly stoned driver accused of running down Costa Mesa Fire Captain Mike Kreza as he rode in a Mission Viejo bike lane has entered a not guilty plea; 25-year old Stephen Taylor Scarpa is being held on a $2 million bond.
Thieves broke into a bike shop in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood early Sunday, making off with three bikes worth up to $3,000.
Reminiscent of the Trousdale Gap in the Expo Line bike path, the operators of a Bakersfield golf course and local residents complain about plans for a bike path, fearing it would allow nefarious bike riders access to their properties. Trousdale residents blocked the bike path through their neighborhood, afraid bike-riding burglars would ride off with their flatscreen TVs.
The San Francisco Chronicle suggests three great rides through the wine country around Healdsburg, ranging from 11 to 33 miles.
Bad news from Marin County, where a bike rider was killed after reportedly swerving his bike across all five lanes of southbound Highway 101.
A Redding writer says bicycles mean freedom for kids. Funny thing, it works that way for adults, too.
National
In what may be the best news in today’s briefing, Bicycling says new research shows swearing can make you a better bicyclist. Although if that was really true, I’d be wearing a yellow jersey by now.
There may be hope yet. The National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices has ordered traffic engineers to consider pedestrian and bicycle activity on streets when setting speed limits, which could finally mark the beginning of the end for the deadly 85th Percentile Law.
A police website calls walking, biking and mounted patrols fundamental elements to community policing.
Seattle residents want more and better transit; bike lanes, not so much.
A Colorado Springs CO bike advocate says the solution to traffic congestion is not more cars; it’s giving people more choices.
Horrifying news from Michigan, where a bike rider was dragged several hundred feet after getting hit by the driver of a snow plow; the driver claimed he never say him and didn’t realize he’d hit anyone. Remarkably, the victim survived, though he’s in critical condition.
The New York Times considers the physical and psychological toll of brutal car commutes; an LA study showed extreme evening freeway traffic led to a 9% increase in domestic violence. Of course, there’s an easy solution to that — if you don’t have to drive, don’t. And support bikeways that make it easier to make that quality-of-life saving choice.
A DC columnist says there are too many misfits rolling on the streets.
A 24-year old Virginia man has spent the last 14 years sending donated bicycles around the world to people in need, founding the nonprofit organization Wheels to Africa when he was just ten years old.
Am I the only one who thinks Los Angeles needs more bike path-adjacent outdoor beer gardens, like this one in New Orleans?
The head of a Macon, Georgia ministry explains how a recycled bicycle can change a person’s life.
International
Road.cc endorses what they consider essential wet weather cycle clothes and gear. Which comes just a little too late for LA’s great flood of 2019.
Canadian Cycling Magazine asks when is it too cold to ride a bike? In Los Angeles, that’s usually any time the temperature dips down into the 60s. Brrrrr.
Carlton Reid talks with Vancouver bike advocates Chris and Melissa Bruntlett — the couple behind the Modacity site and authors of Building the Cycling City: the Dutch Blueprint for Urban Vitality — about their upcoming move to the Netherlands, where Chris will take over as international communications manager for the Dutch Cycling Embassy.
Can a story be heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time? After an eight-year old British Columbia boy who loved trucks was killed in a collision while riding his bike, over 150 truck drivers turned out in a massive convoy in his honor.
A new Toronto report makes a compelling case for protected bike lanes; a pilot cycle track project increased total street capacity and improved safety at very little cost.
This year’s London edition of the World Naked Bike Ride will take place on the Queen’s birthday, with organizers planning to sing a naked birthday salute outside Buckingham Palace.
A British mountain biker says dogs are a bicyclist’s best friend.
An 84-year old, blind UK veteran and lifelong bike rider has gotten back on a tandem bike for the the first time since he lost his sight twenty years ago.
As private delivery services move towards using various forms of ebikes, the Irish postal service announces plans to eliminate bicycle and walking deliveries by the end of the year.
Germany has opened the first three miles of what will eventually be a 62-mile, completely carfree bicycle superhighway.
I’m putting this one on my own bike bucket list. Once it’s completed, a new European bike path will extend 1,200 miles through eight European countries, connecting Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia and Macedonia through a series of singletrack, gravel and paved pathways through the Balkans.
Unlike Pakistani women, Egypt’s She Can Ride initiative has been met with approval as they work to get more women on bikes, with over 600 participants ranging from three years old to 57.
An Indian state approves plans to resume distributing bicycles to residents, as long as they aren’t crappy. The bicycles, that is, not the residents.
A 22-year old Japanese man says he’s on a mission to become the youngest person to ride from Cape Town, South Africa to Cairo, Egypt, after riding through much of Europe. But he ran out of time to continue his ride through the US.
Welcome to Christchurch, New Zealand, home of the red light-running motorists.
It’s now against the law to ride your bike drunk in Thailand. Then again, the fine is the equivalent of just $15.71.
Competitive Cycling
The era of doping may be over, but somehow, bike racers keep getting caught — and not just the pros. Forty-two-year old Miami masters cyclist Michel Carrillo was banned for four years for doping with Lance’s drug of choice, EPO, as well as steroids and testosterone.
Attorney and former US Cycling Team member David Huntsman says if you’re interested in bike racing, reach out to him on Twitter to learn more.
Finally…
Repeat after me. When you’re a convicted felon with two outstanding felony drug warrants riding a bicycle while carrying an illegal concealed weapon, put a damn light on it already. Who could turn down a bike-riding unicorn raising funds for a sick kid — let alone two of them?
And soon, your bike won’t even need you anymore.
