December 19, 2022 /
bikinginla / Comments Off on Update: 71-year old man riding bike killed by hit-and-run driver in San Diego’s Valley Center neighborhood Saturday
Go ahead and call it murder.
Because once again, a heartless coward has left an innocent victim to die alone in the street.
The victim, identified only as a 71-year old Valley Center man, died at the scene.
The driver fled, leaving behind their right front headlight; police are looking for a Ford Expedition SUV or F Series pickup, no model year or color given.
There’s no word on how fast the killer driver was going at the time of the crash, or how long the victim lay in the street before paramedics arrived. Or whether he could have been saved if the driver had called for help after the crash.
But clearly, whoever was behind the wheel didn’t care enough find out.
A street view shows one lane in each direction, with left and right turn bays leading west to Horse Creek Road. Sadly, there is a bike lane on the recently repaved southbound side of Cole Grade, but not on the northbound side where the victim was riding.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Oceanside Area CHP office at 760/643-3400.
This is at least the 80th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the 11th that I’m aware of in San Diego County.
At least 25 of those have been killed hit-and-run drivers.
The Oaxaca, Mexico native leaves behind his son and daughter, as well as six grandchildren. Family members are trying to return his body to Oaxaca for burial.
Lucero was killed on his way home, shortly after stopping at his favorite restaurant after work.
His 20-year old granddaughter wonders if he could have survived if the driver had stopped and called for help.
Good question.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for Mario Lucero and all his family and loved ones.
December 15, 2022 /
bikinginla / Comments Off on San Diego woman on life support after ebike hits shopping cart, a carfree Embarcadero, and holiday bike rides
We’re entering into the home stretch just slightly ahead of last year’s record-setting pace. But we’ll need to raise almost $1,000 over the next week and a half to make it happen.
So thanks to Miriam H and Phillip Y for their generous donations to help keep SoCal’s best source for bike news and advocacy coming your way every day, and ensure it will always be there, ready and waiting when you need it.
So now it’s your turn.
Just stop whatever you’re doing, and donate today via PayPal or Zelle! Every donation, no matter how large or small, is truly and deeply appreciated!
The victim, who has not been publicly identified, was riding in the westbound bike lane on the 5100 block of Friars Road shortly after dark, which would have made the cart that much more difficult to see.
Which matters in this case, since she suffered a head injury, and this is exactly the kind of low speed crash bike helmets are designed to protect against.
Let’s all hope she makes a full and fast recovery.
Not to mention easily exceed anything found here in Southern California.
Which would be a big improvement from the Embarcadero’s current deadly and dangerous car-choked environment.
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A pair of holiday rides are on tap this weekend, with rides on Saturday in Costa Mesa and Sunday in Glendale.
#CostaMesa holiday bike ride is back! Join us Saturday, 12/17 in your holiday gear & decorated bikes. We’ve got a casual 10-mile route w/ stops at WinterFest & Snoopy House! ❄️ Wheels roll at 12:30pm, finish ~2pm, and roll over to NEAT Coffee after for hot chocolate & cookies! pic.twitter.com/5BqpiEyRLQ
Which means time is running out to show your support for SoCal’s best source for all the latest bike news and advocacy, delivered fresh to your favorite screen every morning!
So let’s all thank Nina M and Todd T for their generous donations to ensure the bike news you need is ready and waiting when you need it.
Or better yet, stop what you’re doing and donate right now to keep all the bike bike news coming your way every day!
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You can’t say things aren’t changing in Los Angeles these days.
And Hollywood in particular.
In his first council session after replacing the recently ousted Mitch O’Farrell in LA’s 13th Council District, Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez introduced a motion calling for LADOT to report back with a list of bus lanes, bike infrastructure and pedestrian safety improvements that can be implemented within the next 18 months, as well as calling for placing shelters at every bus stop in the district.
Quite a change from O’Farrell, who spent eight years slow walking most safety projects, if not outright blocking them.
You can ask Soto-Martinez about his plans for the district at this evening’s Streets For All virtual happy hour; RSVP here.
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No bias here.
A retired university professor suggests that San Diego’s commitment to building bike infrastructure, with a goal of achieving a 10% bike commuting rate, is just another special interest rip-off.
Is this a joke? Or is it a monumental rip-off perpetrated by a very small but clearly well-organized special interest group of biking enthusiasts?
And then there is a safety issue. To date, there seemingly has not been any effort by the city or the state to either educate or enforce the multiple safety issues that are important for a mutual use of roadways by bicycles and automobiles. Few bikes on the road after dark have reflectors or lights; it is very rare to see a bicyclist signal to turn. And bicyclists blow through red lights and stop signs consistently — usually as they fly down one of the hills.
Just wait until he sees how people drive, in their big, smelly, two-ton death-dealing machines as they text on their phones, roll stop sighs and race to the next red light.
Of course, his proof that it’s a rip-off is that he and his husband don’t see bikes in the exact bike lane they’re watching, at the exact moment they’re watching it.
And never mind that the well-funded advocacy groups he complains about are in fact dramatically underfunded nonprofits who have to beg for money to continue their work every year.
It would be of interest to know which consultant arrived at this 10 percent number — and how. Special interest groups are focused, connected, well-organized and funded. My guess is that they were heavily involved in the planning for the pathways. And while clearly their prerogative, their influence seems to have outweighed the broader public good.
In reality, the broader public good includes getting people out of their cars — electric or otherwise — before we succeed in our so far successful efforts to destroy our planet, unless and until the erstwhile world’s richest man manages to find another one to move us all to.
And, of course, he can’t manage to make his case without the stunning revelation that “San Diego is not Copenhagen, Stockholm or Amsterdam.”
No, it isn’t. San Diego has much better weather for much of the year. And none of those cities were bike-friendly until they made the commitment and difficult transition to become that way.
But there is one thing he gets right.
San Diego is hilly, built around numerous canyons and hillsides. Yet I somehow managed to find relatively flat routes to get wherever I was going when I lived down there decades ago.
I doubt it’s gotten any hillier since.
Then there’s the ability of ebikes to flatten that terrain, and let anyone ride up and down them with minimal effort.
And if you’re to believe the local media and panicked seaside city officials, the entire place is already being overrun by ebike-riding social terrorists.
It’s possible that the city’s efforts to increase bicycling rates may fail, with too many people clinging to their steering wheels like Charleston Heston to his guns.
But it’s far too soon to give up, when the city’s bike network is still in its nascent stage. Let alone when its success is the only way the city can meet its climate goals.
So give it time, and keep building bikeways.
The worst thing that will happen is that the city will continue to get safer and more livable.
And maybe someday, someone in Copenhagen or Amsterdam will insist that they’re not San Diego.
The survey deadline for the @metrolosangeles Active Transportation Plan on Redondo Beach Blvd. has been extended to December 31, 2022. Provide your feedback for a chance to win a free bike or a $200 gift card! Take our survey: https://t.co/J8WpjtZaVg
After yesterday’s item about the brief flight of a pedal-powered plane, Steven Hallett reminds us about the Gossamer Albatross, the human-powered plane that successfully crossed the English Channel all the way back in 1979.
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The war on cars may be a myth, but the war on bikes just keeps on going.
But sometimes, it’s the people on two wheels behaving badly.
The people have spoken. People commenting here have all said we should stop linking to articles here where bike use is just incidental to some crime, rather than central to the story. So from here on, this section will be reserved for bike riders who fuck up big time. Let’s just make sure it’s not you, k?
More on the Michigan bike shop owner killed in a Florida collision while delivering bikes to children affected by Hurricane Ian; 57-year old Steven Pringle was a grandfather and Army vet who founded a nonprofit providing “bicycle therapy” to veterans by repairing bikes to give to children in need.
And that feeling when bikes get squeezed out by pickleball.
I swear, I don't offer this anecdote with any cynicism—just noting out loud that the most established premium bike-shop chain in Los Angeles is about to start dedicating 20% of its floor space for Pickleball equipment.
He was taken to a nearby hospital with multiple injuries, and died sometime after arrival.
At his age, he deserved far better.
The 52-year old driver fled the scene, but was arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run when she returned an hour later.
Anyone with information is urged to call 858/495-7800, or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888/580-8477.
This is at least the 61st bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the ninth that I’m aware of in San Diego County, including five just this month.
Twenty of those deaths have been at the hands of hit-and-run drivers.
Update: I received the following email Saturday morning; I’m withholding the sender’s name to protect her privacy.
This is the cost of traffic violence.
The article about an 82 year old bicyclist being murdered in Rolando Village on August 25th was my dear sweet church friend George.
I have known him for years.
He was STILL doing construction work and kept busy and never missed church.
At our church we all sit and eat together on Sundays after church service. I had lunch with George about 3 weeks ago.
He was telling me after 80 years old the DMV makes it hard to renew your license. That’s why he was riding his bicycle.
I am absolutely crushed to hear of his death.
Here I am up half the night thinking about him. It is 4 a.m. and I am googling articles to see what all happened. I can not believe this happened. All it takes is a few seconds and he is gone and families changed forever, including the driver’s.
George H. was the kindest man. Although the situation is maddening and disheartening, he would never want the driver to suffer for this.
I know George and knew how he was and he had a heart of gold. One time he employed a newly-made friend of mine who was homeless. The homeless man relinquished his 2 dogs to me to be able to get them off the street. When I told George about this stranger’s plight he hired the man in a blink of an eye. He was that way. A true Christian man. He will be greatly missed.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and all his loved ones.
July 25, 2022 /
bikinginla / Comments Off on Bicyclist says giving pedestrians right-of-way is “stupid,” and San Diego TV station blames homeless for rampant bike thefts
Although he still wants drivers to give way to him.
What I’m not all for, is the decision to put pedestrians at the top of the hierarchy as the ‘road user’ everyone else has to give way to. For a start, this is the Highway Code – it should be about people who use the highway, and pedestrians just don’t. Ok – yes – they have to cross it – but that’s as far as their involvement goes. And, if you’re a pedestrian, you already know how to cross a road, like everyone does, because it was drummed into us all by the Green Cross Code man (or whatever the equivalent was for your generation). Look both ways, listen, and only cross when it’s safe to do so while continuing to look both ways. Ideally, that will be at a pedestrian crossing – and definitely not from a position between two parked cars – you know the drill, I’m sure.
What the Highway code ‘Hierarchy of Road Users’ changes have done, however, is kind of make like none of that common sense ever existed. Instead, it has been replaced by confusion and doubt. Drivers always knew they should give cyclists room – the ones who never did will probably carry on not doing. But I can’t argue with the decision to make all that a little clearer in the Highway Code. Drivers and cyclists, however, especially on urban roads, are often going not massively dissimilar speeds – and there’s a shared history there. Pedestrians, however, have always been separate, never sharing the same space as those on wheels, except to cross the road.
Now, they have been emboldened. Suddenly, they are no longer just kings and queens of the pavement, but the road too!
He goes on.
Of course he does, complaining about having to brake for pedestrians, when he’d rather just force them to jump back onto the curb and stay the hell out of his way.
So, we like to go fast. If we have to amble along so we’re able to stop on a 50p piece should a pedestrian decide to exercise their hierarchical right to randomly step out in front of us, then it just wouldn’t be road cycling. Drivers aren’t forced to travel at 5mph or less ‘just in case’ so why should we be forced to curtail our speed any more than the traffic laws and conditions on a particular road allow.
It paints a picture of a spoiled, entitled cyclist who can’t be bothered to help keep another person safe.
Just like all those spoiled, entitled drivers we’ve been dealing with for decades.
A 31-year old woman has been charged with 2nd degree murder for the alleged drunken that killed a 60-year old man riding a bicycle in San Mateo County, before continuing on and hitting another car head-on. Thanks to Jim for the heads-up.
San Francisco continues to run urbanist laps around Los Angeles, building a 14-acre park topping a pair of freeway tunnels. LA has talked about capping the 101 Freeway through Hollywood, as well as other highways. But as usual, talk is as far as it’s gone.
The San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that a 63-year old man riding a “battery-assisted bicycle” has been killed in a collision in San Diego’s Barrio Logan neighborhood.
Evidently, they’ve never heard of an ebike.
According to police, the victim, who has not been publicly identified, was riding west on Harbor Drive near Beardsley Street around 9:30 this morning when he swerved to go around a box truck.
Police say there’s no evidence of intoxication, even though there’s not a single mention of a driver, as if the Charger was driving itself.
There’s also no word on how fast the driver was going; it seems unlikely that simply crashing into the side of the car would throw the victim over the hood.
There’s also no word on whether the truck was parked in the bike lane on Harbor or traveling in the right lane. And no explanation where the victim was riding prior to the crash.
This is at least the 45th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the fourth that I’m aware of in San Diego County.
He is also the seventh bike rider to die on SoCal streets just this month.
Update: Raw video from the scene shows the car, with a shattered windshield, but no visible damage on the right front side where police say the victim’s bike struck the car.
I’m not embedding the video because it shows the victim’s body in the roadway covered by a tarp, as well as his broken bicycle. So be sure you really want to see that before you click the link.
Thanks to T for the link.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and his loved ones.
Phillip Young reports signage at the intersection prohibits making a right turn on a red light when pedestrians or bike riders are present, which drivers routinely ignore. And which should be banned there under all circumstances.
But the crash highlights both the dangers of street crossings on separated bike paths, as well as the inherent risks of allowing people to keep driving long past the age when most driver’s abilities start to decline.
Thanks to Phillip Young for the heads-up; artwork by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay.
Twenty-eight-year old Oscar Gaytan was killed when he was pulled off his bike by his attacker, described only as a man in his 30s, striking his head on the street.
Once again, the California legislature has shamefully decided that not annoying drivers by making them obey the law is more important than saving human lives.
California’s second attempt to have speed cameras died in committee today. https://t.co/hghoV8bF6P
It’s been shown time and again that this is the most effective way to make changes on our streets.
So why doesn’t Los Angeles ever do it?
Paris Mayor @Anne_Hidalgo did the same thing with bike lanes— some pilots to prove they worked, but quickly making them permanent & decisively expanding on them during the pandemic when they were well received. Don’t ask if folks want something that they can’t picture. Show them. pic.twitter.com/zodsNHYVJF
Unfortunately, using video or photo evidence to prosecute traffic infractions is illegal in most, if not all, US states, for reasons that will forever escape me.
The Giro will now give stage winners uncorked bottles of prosecco, after Eritrean pro Biniam Girmay was forced to withdraw when an errant cork hit him in the eye, following his record-setting effort as the first Black African rider to win a Grand Tour stage.
Once again, someone with a bike has been killed on a SoCal Freeway.
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, a woman was struck by a driver while attempting to walk her bike across southbound Interstate 5 in San Diego’s Pacific Beach neighborhood.
The crash occurred around 9:30 am Tuesday, after she had been walking her bike on the shoulder of the freeway south of Garnet Ave.
The victim, who has not been publicly identified, died at the scene.
The driver stopped and cooperated with CHP investigators. Neither the driver or her passenger were injured.
No explanation was given for why she was walking her bike on the freeway, or why she tried to cross the freeway.
This is at least the 37th bicycling fatality in Southern California this year, and the third that I’m aware of in San Diego County.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for the victim and her loved ones.
April 18, 2022 /
bikinginla / Comments Off on San Diego destroys bikes in homeless cleanup, Ojai ride honors ‘cross legend, and peacock on two wheels
This is so wrong in so many ways.
An infuriating video shows San Diego sanitation workers cleaning up a homeless camp — and mindlessly tossing a pair of bicycles in a garbage truck to be crushed. Destroying what was likely someone’s only form of transportation.
Let alone failing to check if the bikes were stolen, or if someone else could have used them.
Or considering that even homeless people have to be somewhere. And should be allowed to keep what meager possessions they have.
Please spread the word: May 15th in Ojai, California there'll be a memorial ride for the late Laurence Malone, superstar cyclocrosser, Hall of Famer, writer and cycling legend. This free event is a fundraiser for his 9-year-old son Ikal. https://t.co/44IMD8E4VQpic.twitter.com/N0P3m03TIP
Deer Park police, after seeing this video of a Jeep driver barreling the wrong-way toward a cyclist in an apparent fit of road rage, determined this was a case of "he said, she said"
But sometimes, it’s the people on two wheels behaving badly.
British radio host Jeremy Vine was metaphorically spanked on social media after he complained about a woman of walking in front of him without looking, and people responded by accusing him of riding too fast. Although he doesn’t look that speedy to me.
I know there are bad drivers and bad cyclists, but is there any such thing as bad pedestrians? pic.twitter.com/42HG51dzVe
A Minneapolis bike rider discovers the risks of ignoring physical symptoms and not seeing a doctor, when his girlfriend talks him into his first medical examination in at least seven years, revealing a rare form if thyroid cancer. As I’ve learned the hard way, bicycling doesn’t keep you from experiencing serious medical problems, and can mask symptoms that could otherwise point to danger.
This is who we share the road with. A road raging New Jersey driver faces an attempted murder charge for chasing a woman onto a lawn after she attempted to take pictures of his car following a minor collision, and running over her, then backing up and doing it again.
A Swedish university professor explains the problems caused by our current automotive hegemony, and lists the 12 best ways to get cars out of cities, including congestion pricing and swapping curbside parking for bike lanes. So why choose? Let’s just try all of them, at the same time.
An Australian development company is deservedly catching heat for spending nearly three-quarter of a million dollars to build a bay front bike path, only to rip a large segment out to conduct soil remediation underneath — even though they knew it was necessary before the path was built.
April 12, 2022 /
bikinginla / Comments Off on Utah crash victims identified as Whittier brothers, San Diego bikeway fail, and Santa Ana Karen assaults bike-riding boy
Sadly, our worst fears have been realized.
On Saturday, two men identified only as brothers from California were killed when they were run down from behind by a repeat DUI driver near St. George, Utah, who claimed to be on fentanyl from being hospitalized the day before.
And told police she lost control of her car after losing control of her bowels as she was driving.
He also reports a pair of teens in cycling gear were standing by their bodies, screaming about their dads.
Read into that what you will. But it fits with rumors that the Bullard’s teenage sons were among the first riders to come upon the scene shortly after the crash.
Adam’s last post is particularly heartbreaking in retrospect.
Their accused killer, 47-year old Julie Budge, faces twin counts of vehicular homicide, DUI and hit-and-run, as well as single counts of reckless driving and failure to stay in her lane.
She continues to be held without bail, no doubt to the relief of everyone else on the roads.
Budge was previously convicted of DUI seven years ago.
Like Los Angeles before it, San Diego has learned the hard way that traffic safety projects are doomed to fail if they’re not rolled out carefully.
In LA’s case, it was the failed installation of road diets and bike lanes in Playa del Rey, which were unceremoniously ripped out at the mayor’s orders when angry drivers got out their torches and pitchforks, after getting no advance notice the changes were coming.
Hey Long Beach! LA County will be performing maintenance of the LA River Trail between Ocean Blvd and Artesia Blvd starting today 4/4/2022 and expected to end Monday, 4/18/2022. Be advised you may need to take alternative routes due to potential closures during this time. pic.twitter.com/0OSXPwTjLh
No bias here. An Idaho letter writer complains about “arrogant” bike riders who hog the road by riding side-by-side, forcing drivers to — gasp! — actually slow down until it’s safe to pass. And he must know what he’s talking about, since his family owns two bikes.
The Kansas woman who pled guilty last month to running over and shooting a bike-riding because he smiled and gestured towards her has changed her mind, and now insists she didn’t do it; she’s asking the judge to allow her to change her plea.
New York City will shut down over 100 streets to celebrate Earth Day later this month. Meanwhile, Los Angeles officials will undoubtedly mark the day by making a few pronouncements about how important it is to save the earth, while doing absolutely nothing about it.
