Posts tagged ‘bike accident’
Double Your Contribution During the Jim Swarzman Memorial Drive
Your membership or contribution to LACBC will be matched during the Jim Swarzman Memorial Membership Drive, thanks to our friends at AdventureCORPS!
When Jim Swarzman was killed by a hit-and-run driver in early April while cycling with his fiancee and a friend down in Encinitas, we were all devastated. Jim was a gifted ultra-distance racer, a great friend of LACBC, and a staunch supporter of bicycle advocacy. His killer later turned himself in, was found guilty, and is now awaiting sentencing. Many of you have already sent your condolences to Jim’s family, or honored him by contributing in his name to LACBC, and we thank you for that.
Now, for a short time, AdventureCORPS will generously match all memberships and contributions to LACBC in Jim’s honor, up to $10,000. So when you join, renew, or donate, LACBC will receive twice the amount you give. We ask that you please encourage your friends to become members now – whether they are new or long-time cyclists, whether you knew Jim personally or have been touched by hearing about his story. Big thanks to AdventureCORPS for making this possible and honoring Jim’s memory in this meaningful way!
Your contribution will have TWICE the impact in helping us create safer streets for all cyclists!
Ghost Bikes?
Every now and then I pass a weird shrine looking bike that has been stripped of its rider, painted white and locked to some fence or post. I could never figure out who or what had placed such a lonely bike there and why it happened more than once. Were minimalist cyclists invading the city?
Its not new, either. The original idea of painting bikes white reportedly goes back to Amsterdam in the 1960s as an anarchist project to liberate two-wheel transport—white bikes were free, help yourself and then leave it for someone else.
Sadly, the bikes I stumbled across had a less artistic meaning. They are ghost bikes.
Ghost Bikes are small and somber memorials for bicyclists who are killed or hit on the street. A bicycle is painted all white and locked to a street sign near the crash site, accompanied by a small plaque. They serve as reminders of the tragedy that took place on an otherwise anonymous street corner, and as quiet statements in support of cyclists’ right to safe travel.
Ghostbikes.org is intended to be a site for the worldwide cycling community. For information on ghost bike work being done in your area, visit http://Ghostbikes.org
Does your community have another way of recognizing our fallen cyclists?
Ride of Silence – Global event May 18th
Who’s hosting? Lark Gerry
Click here for MeetUp info
How to find us: S/E corner Day Creek & Baseline Rd.
Emphasis: Ride of Silence in memoriam 10/12 MPH
Type of bike: road bike, mountain bike or hybrid
PLEASE NOTE: The time of the ride shown above is the actual departure time. Please allow time for bicycle assembly and inspection, filling of water bottles, inflating tires, etc. prior to departure.
More Info Rancho Cucamonga Ride of Silence Inland Empire hosted by Cycling Connection
Join us in a global moment of silence as we ride together in silence.
In memory of those killed and injured in bicycle vs. automobile related accidents, and to raise awareness to the surrounding communities for the importance of being safe and courtesy when exercising the common use of our roadways.
Ride’s of Silence will occur across the globe on May18th. Come join Cycling Connection and our friends as we join together in this 10 mile Ride of Silence.
For more information go to: http://www.rideofsilence.org
Safety First: Bicyclists on public streets have the same rights and responsibilities as automobile and motorcycle drivers.
California Bicycle Laws indicate that bicyclists:
- Must obey all traffic signals and stop signs.
- Must ride in the same direction as other traffic, not against it.
- Shall ride as near to the right curb or edge of the roadway as practical– not on the sidewalk.
- May legally move left to turn left, to pass a parked or moving vehicle, bicycle, animal, make a turn or avoid debris and other hazards.
- Should ride single file on a busy or narrow street.
- Must make left and right turns in the same way that drivers do, using the same turn lanes.
- Must signal all their intentions to motorists and bicyclists near them.
All IEWC Riders are expected follow these traffic laws to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride. IEWC riders are required to wear a helmet on all rides and are encouraged to carry identification and emergency contact information in their bike pack or on their person. For a full list of CA Bicyclist laws go to http://www.dmv.ca.gov….
Brentwood Grand Prix, or Things that go bump in the pack.
We came back from Midnight Madness at 5 am, then up and in the car at 7 am to watch my friend Joe race at the Brentwood Grand Prix. I was pretty excited because I had never been to a race before, Dave was less excited – something about sleep I think.
The Brentwood Grand Prix was held on San Vincente blvd. which made a perfect 2.2 mile loop for them. It was a little lower then where I usually do my Thursday night rides (omg, those false flats!) but in a good spot not just for the race but to watch the riders warm up on the hill and back.
Joe had asked us to attend so that we could take pictures. This _seemed_ like an easy request but turned out to be much harder than we thought. His race (cat 3 mens, 33+) was at a much faster clip then the others we saw before and after. There was no coasting round the turn and they were shoulder to shoulder thru much of it. During the entire hour race (one frickin’ hour at top speeds!), we were only able to see him once and missed him in the camera frame.
There were 125 cyclists in this race, that sat at 30+ mph through most of it. During the final lap, speeds increased … Joe was at 38.6 when the cyclist in front of him clipped his wheel while looking for a hole in the group. Joe went endo, 30 riders went down and we celebrated by spending the day at the E.R.. Seems a broken clavicle was the trophy.
For the gear heads in the group, the bike that took a major owie is a Red Trek Madone 5.5. It is recovering nicely from what I hear.
Yakkity Yak, He Go Smack!
Please note, this is a public service announcement for all those that feel cycling with their cell phone is, in fact, a wise thing to do.
Friday, I knew I did not have a lot of time to ride so I thought I would make the most of it by doing laps on San VIncente (false flats – work those muscles!) in a higher gear, head over to Helen’s to pick up a few things that I had been meaning to and then take the flats at double speed. I felt very productive and just a little smug. As I was coasting and mulling over my plan for the days ride, some guy passes me without calling out and actually looks over his shoulder at me, as he swings one leg over the saddle and starts doing circus tricks. Honestly, that woke me up and I realized that I was not doing what I was out to do. I buckled down to get back to work and started to peddle, passing clown boy and then forgetting all about him.
A few miles up the road, I dismount, make a call to Dave, “Hey Birthday Boy, want to meet me for lunch?” (btw, when its your husband’s b-day he still pays). I get back on the bike, scoot over to the left turn lane when I hear coming up behind me “Yeah, I’m out on the bike in Santa Monica” then THUD! as he slams into the back of the car that was waiting at the light for the turn
There are a few things that you should know:
1) He never missed a beat and continued on his phone call while rubbing his injured parts.
2) The drivers wanted to know what happened but since the cyclist didn’t think it was important to hang up, I felt that maybe he owed them more of an explanation than I did
3) And this should not be surprising.. he did not have a helmet
4) Its a day later and I still can not figure out how you can miss a large white car, or why he was in the middle of the lane instead of off to the right.
Insert Worried Mom Title Here
Rachael made her goal of getting to the Honolulu Century. Unfortunately, she didn’t make it to the first SAG before fate stepped in. (more…)
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