Bicycle Portraits: What do Bikes Say About a Culture
www.NPR.org
Claire O'Neill
2012-04-24
Link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2012/04/24/150576632/bicycle-portraits-what-do-bikes-say-about-a-culture
I have to admit I was a bit reluctant when I first saw this series of "Bicycle Portraits" because biking has, in some cases, become something of a cliche steeped in hipdom sprinkled with granola. Or mainly: For NPR to present a series of bicycle portraits just seemed too cute, too predictable.
But these photos weren't taken in Brooklyn or Portland; it's South Africa. And in fact, I was surprised to learn from Stan Engelbrecht, who made the portraits with his friend Nic Grobler, that biking is not common there; there's no conversation about the hipsterization of bike culture, because there's not much of a "bike culture" to begin with.
Michael Heading Back Up GMR and ready for the Ski Lifts
Yesterday was L' Etape Du California. I was training for this epic ride but a last minute change in plans prevented me from doing it. After two weeks off, Kevin is back in the saddle and working towards his goal of GMR to Mt. Baldy. Using Annette's training method of Fork Plux "X" miles he's making great progress.
Kevin Writes:
I got a late start to my ride up GMR as I continue to train, after two weeks off, for the ultimate ride for my from my house to Baldy Village. As I crossed Sierra Madre and started up GMR, I realize today was the L’ Etape. For a moment I thought how disappointed you must have been after all the training and then having a conflict. Maybe next year.
Maybe it was because of a limited warm up, or more likely the two weeks off, but I was definitely feeling sluggish. But you know how it is riding up GMR with all the friendly riders. Today, I got encouragement times ten and that definitely helped keep me going. Nevertheless my legs tired quickly and I was off my pace to the first saddle. I couldn’t stop the self talk about cutting the ride short.
Wouldn’t you know, rounding a corner, just short of the first saddle was the Queen of GMR herself. “Kevin, AWESOME…” was exclaimed from the rider descending clad with a red bandana around her neck. That did it. For some reason, Annette’s encouragement always sets my mind straight. Today it reset my thinking towards reaching my potential for the day.
The L’Etape volunteers offering water and Gatorade at the first saddle were very friendly and not concerned that I was not officially in the event. The offered me shade and bottle refills. It was definitely helpful, as the temperatures steadily climbed.
After a bit more riding I stopped for shade at the maintenance shed, where I snapped some photos of participants climbing and wondering “will it ever end?”. Nothing but admiration from me goes to all of them.
Next stop East Fork Road, where as I was pulling in to the rest stop, an energized Micheal Young (You can tell by the smile on his face) pulls around me on his way for some food and drink. We chatted a bit and I was surprised to hear him say “So far so good” and ‘I am looking forward to the climb to the lifts”.
I was thinking about turning back, but for some reason I told him that my plan was EF Plus a mile. So off I went, but it was general flat of downhill for about ¾ of a mile so I added another ¾ to get some more climbing in.
It wasn’t fast today, but I think I am ready to view the Tour of California from the Ridge Road. I am hoping one of my work colleagues, Curtis, comes down from Bakersfield to ride with me. I am a bit concerned as he talks about double-centuries and death-rides in his younger days. Hopefully father time has slowed him a bit.
24.5 miles (fork+1.5), 2,880 feet of climbing (including a CAT 1), & no rain or snow. Couldn't be any better.
Thanks to all the encouraging fellow riders, Annette, Michael, L’Etape volunteers, and GMR for another great ride.
Bicycle Injuries: Is The Right of Way Fight Getting Ugly? WIBW.com Posted by Jovarie Downing 2012-04-20 Link: http://www.wibw.com/nationalnews/headlines/Bicycle_injuries_Is_the_right of-way_fight_getting_ugly_148348115.html
New York (CNN) -- Michelle Matson has a nagging reminder of the cycling crash that could have killed her. A year and a half later, flecks of asphalt remain lodged in her skin.
There's also the metal pole extending from her kneecap down to her ankle, along with countless screws, keeping her left leg intact.
"My body was destroyed," said Matson, an artist living in Brooklyn. "My whole life was put on hold for months, and no one seemed to care."
New York City artist Michelle Matson was hospitalized in 2010 after being hit by a speeding car as she rode a bicycle in Brooklyn.It happened in October, 2010, on what Matson and her boyfriend, James Paz, thought was an innocuous bike ride home from a concert.
"I was riding in front of Michelle, about 10 feet in front of her," Paz said. "I heard a loud scraping, scratching noise, there was a second of blackness, and then I was flying through the air."
What had lofted Paz into the air was a speeding driver who, according to witnesses, fled the scene. Paz hobbled to his feet, noted the mangled remains of his bike and scanned the area for Matson.
When he did not see her, he panicked.
"I was screaming her name," Paz said. "Then I saw her lying in the middle of the right-hand lane of the road ... at that time I didn't know if she was alive."
No charges have been filed in the case.
Matson's story is a reminder of a growing problem in many of the nation's busy, sprawling urban landscapes: More people are using bikes for transportation amid a culture and infrastructure designed for automobiles.
Although New York police and the city's Department of Transportation report increasing bicyclists, the number of bike deaths has remained steady. In fact, overall traffic deaths have dropped by 39% since 2001, according to the NYPD.
But that statistic offers little comfort to Matson.
It's not just the facts of the incident -- or even the tiny particles of debris from the New York City street still in Matson's body -- that have left her upset. It's what Matson describes as investigative inertia by the New York City Police Department when it came to her case.
"There were no legal repercussions for the driver whatsoever, because the NYPD chose not to investigate the hit-and-run," Matson said. "It blows my mind that this is even possible ... people get in worse trouble for double-parking."
In 2010, in more than 6,000 New York City traffic accidents involving cyclists, 36 people died, according to the state Department of Motor Vehicles. Transportation Nation reported that no criminal charges were filed against the drivers involved.
One woman -- the mother of an artist named Mathieu Lefevre, who was killed on a bike -- is on a crusade to learn more about his death and to make roads safer for cyclists. There is a growing sense among the city's cycling community that to many authorities, bicyclists don't matter.
"Cyclists and pedestrians are being killed and seriously injured all over our city, once every 35 hours in fact," New York City Councilman and Public Safety Committee Chairman Peter Vallone said at a hearing this year. "And the drivers are literally getting away with it."
CNN repeatedly contacted the NYPD for comment about Matson's hit-and-run and the department's policy about cycling accident investigations, but did not receive a response.
Cyclists who think police are biased against them are fueled by another statistic: In 2011, the NYPD issued 10,415 criminal court summonses to truck operators. During the same year, 34,813 summonses were issued to bicyclists.
"While there may be some lawbreaking among the cycling population, very few if any of those transgressions of the law are resulting in death or serious injury," said Paul Steely White, executive director of Transportation Alternatives, a bicycling advocacy group. "But when a trucker runs the red light or speeds, the consequences very often are deadly."
There are also problems, in the eyes of lawmakers and advocates alike, with how crashes are investigated.
According to statements made by the NYPD, only traffic accidents involving imminent or actual death are investigated. Those cases are handled by one of 19 members of a special unit called the Accident Investigation Squad, or AIS.
"Their role is to utilize their special training to conduct a more comprehensive investigation, employing a variety of techniques in order to establish speed, analyze skid marks and other physical characteristics of the accident scene," said John Cassidy, executive officer of the Transportation Bureau of the NYPD, at a City Council hearing in February. "In essence, reconstruct the accident so that a more definitive cause, possibly resulting in criminal charges, may be determined."
But with only 19 detectives, AIS resources are stretched, so members of the unit are not always deployed, even when death is imminent, according to activists.
"Staffing for these crashes is not what it should be," said Steve Vaccaro, an attorney with Rankin and Taylor, a law firm specializing in cases involving bicycling accidents. "This resource is not what it should be if we're going to have these investigations."
The issue has hit the blogosphere. Advocates are pushing for a law that would force police to investigate all serious bike accidents.
For Matson and Paz, virtually no investigation of their case occurred, they say. That leaves Matson, who still struggles with debilitating injuries to her spine and skull, with little legal recourse after her accident.
"If you lose your limbs in a [bike] crash, you don't get an investigation," said White, the bicycling advocate. "Without that investigation, it's virtually impossible to hold reckless drivers accountable when they do break traffic laws and they seriously injure pedestrians or cyclists."
Perhaps not surprisingly, a year and a half after her hit-and-run, Matson has refused to ride a bike.
I guess I got my dates all messed up. I thought today was L'Etape and I would be home while the wife has fun with the girls in Palm Springs.
I was off by a week, DOH!
With that said, I planned to ride the L'Etape course less the lifts today with Michael and Christian. Long story short, I couldn't make the trek back up GMR. The heat got the best of me and I headed home very tired while Michael and Christian completed the ride.
I just love these videos of some dude riding reckless through the streets of [insert city name here]. It's people like this that give cyclists REALLY bad reputations. At this years Marathon Crash race I saw many cyclist weave in an out of vehicle traffic. Oh so dangerous.
Bicycle Accidents Can Be Deadly, And Costly
Reuters
By Stephanie Rabiner, Esq
2012-04-12
Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/11/tagblogsfindlawcom2012-injured-idUS342583576520120411
You wouldn't expect a bicycle accident to be deadly. But they can be. Just consider San Francisco, where two people have been killed by a bicyclist in the last year.
In the latest of these incidents, the bicyclist, Chris Bucchere, went careening down a steep hill and crashed into a crowded crosswalk. He hit 71-year-old Sutchi Hui, who died four days later.
Even if prosecutors decide not to charge Bucchere with vehicular manslaughter, he'll likely be saddled with a bicycle accident lawsuit.
These sorts of suits are based in negligence law and often rely on the rules of the road. Though they might think otherwise, bicyclists must follow the law. This means traffic signals and signs. It also means respecting the right-of-way of others.
Traffic laws are often said to define the minimum standard of care a motorist or bicyclist must exercise while on the road. When broken, there is a legal presumption that the individual acted negligently.
If a traffic violation were to lead to a bicycle accident lawsuit, that presumption would be difficult to overcome. A bicyclist would need to prove that, under the circumstances, he had no choice but to break the law. He'll also need to prove that his own actions did not put him in such a dire position.
These arguments probably won't be very easy for Chris Bucchere to make. Evidence suggests that he did not try to stop once the light turned red, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Instead, he just tried to plow through the least crowded area. Bicycle accident lawsuit waiting to happen? This blogger thinks so.
Five Things Drivers Need to Understand About Sharing the Road with Cyclists
Yahoo Contributor Network
By Jennifer Ciapala
2012-04-11
Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/five-things-drivers-understand-sharing-road-cyclists-150700380--spt.html
During the ten-year period from 2000 to 2009, more than 7,000 cyclists were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes (an average of 600-800 per year); hundreds of thousands more were injured (51,000 in 2009 alone, for example). I frequently see and hear stories of automobile/bicycle accidents, but the numbers are still staggering. These statistics lead to fear in some and to anger in others. Both, I believe, are legitimate responses. But what can be done?
As a cyclist, I often see stupidity on the streets first-hand. Now, don't get me wrong, I know that cyclists do dumb things sometimes. But more often than not, what I see is ignorance on the part of motorists. So here are five things I really wish drivers understood about cyclists. Hopefully, a little education will go a long way toward keeping everyone safe out there this year.
We belong on the roads as much as you do
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "bicycles on the roadway are, by law, vehicles with the same rights and responsibilities as motorized vehicles." I can't tell you how many times I've heard drivers shout "Get on the sidewalk!" or "Use the bike trail!" as they've sped past me on the road. But did you know that it's actually illegal to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk in most parts of the country? And even when it's not explicitly outlawed, it's still extremely dangerous.
"Share the road" signs can now be seen along many streets, but even when you don't see one of those signs, we're still allowed to be there. In fact, while we appreciate the effort to make drivers more aware of our rights, many cyclists I know take issue with the "share the road" sentiment. The way it's worded makes it sound like motorists "own" the roads and are doing cyclists a favor by "lending" us a few inches of "their" roadway. We're not asking that you kindly share something that belongs to you, however; we have just as much a right to be on the roads as you do.
We're really not trying to get in your way
Not all roads have bike lanes or shoulders for us to use, and even when they are available, they're not always the safest place for us to be. Parked cars, potholes, storm drains and debris can all spell disaster for cyclists. Loose gravel or swerving to avoid roadside debris can quickly land us on the ground with a severe case of road rash. If we hit a pothole or tree branch, we could be thrown off our bikes and end up in the hospital. We also need to avoid potholes and broken glass to prevent flat tires. Flats are a lot more common on bikes since we keep our tires at about 120 psi (as compared to maybe 36 or 38 psi for a car).
Ohio's bike laws state that we are to ride "as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable," and I assume the law is similar in most other areas as well. From your car, truck, or SUV, you probably can't see the same dangers that we see as cyclists. Please know that we are not trying to get in your way; we just want to ride as safely as possible.
Not all cyclists know and follow the rules
Cyclists are required to follow the same laws as you: we cannot operate our vehicles while intoxicated; we must stop at stop signs and red lights; we must signal our turns; we must use head and tail lights after dark. Unfortunately, just like drivers, cyclists don't always obey the law. I know this can be frustrating for motorists and probably contributes to your irritation with us. But please don't take your aggression out on the cyclists you encounter on the road. Most of us do try to obey the law, and we get just as irritated as you do with riders who ignore the rules and give us all a bad name.
We're probably going faster than you think
It's not uncommon for cyclists to cruise along a flat stretch of road at 20 or 25 mph, and on downhill sections, we can easily hit 30 mph, 40 mph, or more. Please keep this in mind when you're considering pulling out or crossing in front of us, or when you plan to pass with oncoming traffic. On the other hand, we do slow down considerably going up hills, often to only 5 or 10 mph, depending on how long or steep the incline is. Please be patient with us and pass only when it's safe to do so.
"I didn't see you!" is NEVER a good excuse
Generally, we know you're not actually trying to hurt us (though some drivers might occasionally want to give us a good scare). Still, you are often distracted while you operate your two-ton vehicle at 30, 40 or 50 mph. This scares us more than anything else! Please put away your cell phone. Stop looking in your purse. Don't try to read your mail while you drive. Get your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. Drivers often use the "I didn't see you!" excuse after hitting a cyclist. But should that really make us feel better? If everyone just paid a little more attention on the road, many a fatal accident could be avoided.
Driver cited under new bicycle law after striking cyclist on Fahy Bridge
The Morning Call
Tracy Jordon
2012-04-04
Link: http://articles.mcall.com/2012-04-04/news/mc-bethlehem-bicyclist-struck-fahy-bridge-20120404_1_fahy-bridge-bethlehem-driver-teen-driver
One of the Lehigh Valley's leading bicycling safety advocates became the region's first victim under a new law meant to protect cyclists from passing vehicles when a car hit him from behind Monday on the Fahy Bridge in Bethlehem.
The law allows motorists to drive over double yellow lines when passing cyclists, but it requires drivers to give four-feet clearance. The law went into effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday. About 15 hours later, a car operated by a 17-year-old Bethlehem driver drove into Frank Pavlick as he was pedaling north on the Fahy Bridge on S. New Street.
Some time ago I had it in my head I would attempt to ride from my house in Pomona to the Notch at the top of Mt Baldy. I tried it once and got about a mile up Falls Road before leg cramps got the best of me.
After that incident, I set that goal on the back burners and it wasn't until last weeks ride that I got the bug to ride to the Notch again. Last time I attempted it solo, this time I wanted someone to ride it with me. I sent Antonio a Facebook message and a few days later he called and confirmed he would be up for the adventure.
Antonio is a mountain goat. I knew he would be up for the task and he was just the person I needed to keep me focused. Antonio is a great climber and I knew he would help pace me up and up to the Notch.
We set out at about 7 am. The ride into Mt Baldy Village was hard for me. I don't know, I just had a hard time getting into a groove. The ride from the village to Falls Road went by quickly. Along the way, we past Greg Townsend of Townsend Cycles. I first met Greg on GMR and then a couple of times at the 2010 and 2011 San Diego Handmade Bicycle Show. He's been pretty busy building bikes. His waiting list is about one year and you can check out his work on his Flicker page. One of these days, I'll have him make me a bike.
Once on Falls Road my CX bike started to come alive. The fire road was relatively well maintained so I didn't have too much issues with my skinny tires. Antonio easily climbed up the mountain and he would periodically stop to wait for me. Soon enough we made our way to the Notch. At the Notch we had some coffee and breakfast before heading down.
Once on Mt Baldy Road, we saw a number of riders heading to the Ski Lifts. California Triathlon organized a training ride for L'Etape Du California so tons of riders were making their way up the switchbacks. Heading down, I ran into Michael making his way to the lifts.
Antonio is ready to ride. We met at Mills and Baseline.
Antonio riding up Mt Baldy Road, in the distance Mt Baldy looks so far and majestic.
Greg Townsend. He said he's a custom bike builder who is too busy to ride his own bikes!
Greg Townsend heading to the ski lifts.
Somewhere on Falls Road
We are way past the Ski Lifts.
I was surprised how much snow/ice still remained at the top of Mt Baldy.
Me and my cyclocross bike. I love my CX bike!
It was cold at the top.
Time for some food.
The food was very good and light on the stomach. I had the sausage, egg sandwich with cantaloupe and watermelon.
"So you say you're heading to the ski lifts. That's easy. Why don't you try for the Notch!"
HARRISBURG, Pa., March 28, 2012 -- /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A law that sets new rules for Pennsylvania motorists to follow when encountering a bicyclist will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, April 2. The law, designed to improve safety and traffic flow, was signed by Governor Tom Corbett on Feb. 2.
The new law requires motorists to leave a 4-foot "cushion of safety" when passing a bicyclist. To achieve this cushion, drivers may cross a roadway's center line when passing a bicycle on the left, but only when opposing traffic allows.
Drivers attempting to turn left must also yield the right of way to bicycle riders traveling in the opposite direction.
"The differential in speed is the biggest safety challenge with motor vehicles and bicycles sharing our state's roadways," said PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch. "I urge all drivers and cyclists to learn the rules of the road to better share our highways and make travel safer for all."
The new law also calls for bicycle riders to use all reasonable efforts to avoid impeding the normal flow of traffic. When there is only one travel lane, bicyclists may use any portion of the lane to avoid hazards on the roadway, including maintaining a safe distance from stopped and parked cars.
As always, bicyclists and motorists should obey all traffic signs and signals. PennDOT also recommends bicyclists always ride predictably and signal their intentions before proceeding so that motorists have a chance to react.
For more information on bicycling safety, visit www.DriveSafePA.org.
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/03/28/4372681/pennsylvanias-new-bike-safety.html#storylink=cpy
I set out today with Michael and the idea we would ride Glendora Mountain Road to the Mt Baldy ski lifts. You see sometime in April is L'Etape du California and we need to be ready for the epic journey that takes us thru Stage 7 of this year's Tour of California.
Well, from the start, I new I was doomed. Earlier this week did a series of hill sprints that left my legs sore and tired. I never really recovered and Friday, I went pretty hard on the rollers. Then instead of getting to bed early for my Saturday morning ride, I stayed up way to late to watch The Walking Dead on Netflix. Hills Sprints, Friday night roller and Zombie Fest made for a tired Jason Saturday morning.
Right from the first climb up GMR, I was breathing hard, and my poor legs were already tired. I never really got into a groove and by Fork plus 5, my legs were starting to cramp. By the time I reached Cow Canyon Saddle, my poor legs were done. The cramping was getting worse.
Michael was waiting for me at Cow Canyon. I was done but he was feeling really good and ready to make the trek to the lifts. We agreed he would press on and I would pick up the rear and SLOWLY make my way up Mt Baldy in the direction of the lifts. I told Michael that I would keep going until I see him coming back. At that point, I would turn around with him.
Michael zoomed up the mountain road towards the lifts. I could tell by his speed and eagerness he was feeling good and ready to conquer. He quickly disappeared. My legs started to cramp by the Visitors Center so I decided this would be a great place to take a break. I rested a short while and started heading up. Soon enough I was at Ice House Canyon. I took a quick picture of the road sign, proof I at least made it this far, and continued to head to the lifts.
At every turn, I was expecting, or rather hoping, I would see Micheal heading down so I could stop the pain and go home. And each time, Michael did not appear, I was forced to continue on. Up and up, switchbacks after switchbacks my legs were tired and giving up. I had to stop a number of times to massage my cramping legs.
A number of cyclist passed me and gave me encouragement to keep going. Finally, Michael appeared. He made it to the lifts and was ready to head home. Unfortunately, I was about a mile away from the ski lifts and I couldn't stop now. We said our goodbyes and I continued on. The last mile was by far the hardest. I was so tired and the road was getting steeper. To keep my momentum, I started zig-zagging across the road, like I did at last weeks Fargo Street Hill Climb competition.
Finally, I made it to the lifts. I was absolutely exhausted and very pleased with my accomplishment. I had someone snap a picture and I made my way back home. The ride home was fast. I was pretty tired so speeding down Mt Baldy was no fun at all. I hit a pothole pretty hard which in turn caused my rear tire to blow out. That was scary, but fortunately, I was unharmed. I've heard of cyclists bombing down mountain passes and getting front tire blow outs. Front tire blow outs can be painful.
I was very happy with my accomplishment. Despite me being tired, I managed to pull it together and make it to the lifts.
Michael's picture and proof he made it to the Ski Lifts
