LAHOOD RESPONDS TO SEN. COBURN RANT ON BIKE PATHS

-> In his Dec. 9th Fast Lane blog entry, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood asked, "Should biking advocates be angry that Senator Tom Coburn included two bike paths in his latest list of stimulus 'waste'? Or thrilled that the Senator singled them out? As reported by the Washington Times, Coburn said, 'When we run $1.4 trillion deficits, the money we spend ought to be a high priority for the American people as a whole.'"

"What he really means is that, because he doesn't get bikes, no one else does either. His report calls-out an extension of Minnesota's Cedar Lake Bike Trail that would allow people to commute to and from downtown Minneapolis all the way to the new Minnesota Twins stadium. It's a project supported by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. I guess a better bike connection to Minneapolis's central business district doesn't count as infrastructure to some folks..."

"And he calls-out the Meridian Bridge conversion to bike and pedestrian use. A newer bridge now carries automobile traffic over the Missouri River between Yankton, SD, and Nebraska. Hmm...demolish Yankton's signature landmark, listed on the National Register of Historic Places? Or use Recovery Act money to connect an extensive network of trails on the Nebraska side with a similarly extensive network of trails on the South Dakota side?..."

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Local cycling advocates in the news

From the League of American Bicyclists:

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While the police and the court got this case right, the same can not be said in all circumstances. We responded to USA Today Drive On blog after it was suggested that cyclist Curtis Andrew Leymeister was to blame when a motorist struck and killed him in while riding in St. Mary’s County, Md.

From the onset, the local media and even early statements from the Maryland Highway Patrol also blamed the victim. What didn’t make the auto blog’s headlines were the charges brought against the driver and the admonishment of Maryland State Patrol for their clear windshield-perspective bias. Twenty-year-old Kathy May Lee was charged with Negligent Driving. We learn from WashCycle Blog (via Baltimore Spokes):
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Maryland advocates are looking to change that. One Less Car will be re-introducing their Manslaughter by Motorvehicle (was HB 97) bill this year. They’ll also be working on legislation to overturn the mandatory shoulder law that was misinterpreted in the Leymeister case and limit cyclists rights to the roads. If you live or bike in Maryland contact One Less Car to find out how to help this effort.

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L.A. road rage doctor gets five years

The California physician, convicted of assaulting a pair of cyclists with his car, was sentenced to five years in prison at the close of a hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday morning.
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Teach them a lesson
As Peterson lay on the side of the road, Thompson called 911, told the operator of the accident and added that the riders would probably “tell you they are seriously injured, but they’re not.”

Thompson also told the first police officer on the scene that he intentionally hit his brakes in order to “teach (the two riders) a lesson.”
,,,
Following news reports of the July 4th assault, Watson called the attorney’s office to remind them that it was not Thompson’s first encounter with cyclists. Prosecutors then decided to pursue charges in the March case and were successful in efforts to join those with charges stemming from the July assault.
[Note the importance of at least getting a police report on all incidents, something that is not standard policy in Maryland.]
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With his client facing up to 10 years in prison, Swarth asked the court to exhibit a degree of compassion in handing down a sentence. Swarth argued that a lengthy prison sentence could prove fatal to Thompson, who suffers from coronary artery disease.
[Let's have a moment of compassion for people who live sedentary lifestyles and harass cyclists. Sorry I say show compassion if you want compassion.]
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Thompson’s troubles will probably not end with his Friday sentencing. His medical license was suspended last month, and a permanent revocation is probable, pending a hearing by the state’s medical licensing board.

Although now reportedly near bankrupt, the founder of a successful medical records technology company, Thompson still faces likely civil action from the victims in the case.

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We are the terrorists??? WTF!

The Maryland State Police surveillance of advocacy groups was far more extensive than previously acknowledged, with records showing that troopers monitored -- and labeled as terrorists -- activists devoted to such wide-ranging causes as promoting human rights and establishing bike lanes.

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Dear Cycle-Hater, You can kiss my skinny Lycra butt.

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If you saw Avatar, we were the big blue monkeys. We existed in harmony with our surroundings, linked by the primitive desire to go faster, each warrior judged only by his ability to hang on.

And then the army of metallic vehicles descended, determined to take our roads by force.

They ran us down and danced on our guts. Our banana peels and water bottles bounced harmlessly off their armored hides.

The Cycle-Haters issued their terms of surrender: Ride single file. Stop at the stop signs. Get on the bike trail. Get off our roads.
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The roads do not belong to the fossil-fuel demons, their expansive bellies grazing their steering wheels, their Big Gulps clamped between wobbly thighs.

Put them in the Lycra they ridicule and they would look like Jimmy Dean sausages.

We will not allow them to banish us from what is as much ours as it is theirs.
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Who's Trash Talking Bikes?

From the League of American Bicyclists:

“There's a perfectly good path right next to the road you stupid cyclist!” Facebook Fan Page

What the page says:
The Facebook Fan Page "There's a perfectly good path right next to the road you stupid cyclist!" (which frighteningly has more than 30,000 fans) is an Australian based anti-cyclists forum. The page is filled with violent comments about hitting cyclists, who the page refers to as "road hogging rats." The profile picture is even of a car dooring a cyclist. The page claims that bicycles only belong on bike paths and should not be allowed on roads. The about me box states, "No matter how far to the left you are, you're taking up my road. My car is hard, and i am not slowing down!"

What’s the issue:
Cyclists have the legal right to be on the road in Australia and are considered vehicles, as are cyclists in all 50 US states. Endorsing violence should not be tolerated, and the ignorance endorsed on this Facebook page simply begets more ignorance towards cyclists. Or as Charles Darwin said, "Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge." The page's crass content, "The road belongs to engine driven cars," and photos are legally incorrect - and offensive.

What are the facts:
The sad reality is that every year an average of 700 people are killed while riding their bikes and round 45,000 riders are injured each year in collisions with motor vehicles. These accidents are usually caused by distracted driving, speeding, recklessness and drinking and driving. These reasons are not comforting and can be prevented. However, road rage and a violent disregard for human life should NEVER be the reason a cyclist is killed or injured. These types of incidents are not "accidents."

What they could have said:
Frankly, the page should have never been created. If the author said anything, he should have provided information about sharing the road safely. Unfortunately, incorrect or hateful information is easily shared on Facebook. The social networking site allows people to network, post pictures and comment without pre-approval.

However, this page crosses the line into inappropriate content and there is something we can do. First, report the page for inappropriate content by scrolling to the bottom left hand corner of the fan page and clicking on Report Page. A dialogue box appears. Click on Inappropriate Content as your reason and feel free to add comments.

Sample comment: Australian cyclists have a legal right to the road as do all American cyclists. We are considered vehicles. Advocating violence against anyone, including bicyclists, is reprehensible. Some 700 bicyclists, nearly 200 of them children, are killed in traffic crashes every year, and some 45,000 are injured. Both cities and states are passing laws to protect cyclists from the despicable mentality that is exhibited on this page.

Secondly, you can join the "Help Remove This Hate Group Against Cyclists" page. Most importantly, advocate for cyclists rights and spread the word about our legal and rightful space on roads and highways. Attending the National Bike Summit or supporting the League is an easy way to participate in the national bicycle movement.

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Public excited, skeptical about Hagerstown bicycle plan

By ANDREW SCHOTZ

HAGERSTOWN — Reaction to Hagerstown’s proposed bicycle transportation network Thursday ranged from excitement to skepticism, although most speakers at a hearing liked the idea.

Officials solicited public comments on a plan to create bike lanes in some places, and to have cyclists and motorists share the road in other spots, letting bike riders move safely across the city.

The work and costs would be phased in over several years, in conjunction with road projects.

The plan has been described as a way to cut traffic, ease parking problems, lessen fuel consumption and promote exercise and healthier living.

Ray Quackenbush of Waynesboro, Pa., who works south of Hagerstown, said he’d use the bike network. An increased emphasis on fitness would help combat obesity, he said.

Joe Caha spoke against the plan.

He said many Hagerstown residents don’t work within biking distance, the city could face liability problems for not maintaining bike lanes and it would be wasted money as the city worries about its finances.

City Engineer Rodney Tissue has estimated the long-term cost of the bike network at $173,000, including signs and road markings.

However, city staff could do the work in bits and pieces in coming years and grants could pay for much of it, he said.

[Baltimore Spokes: If these guys are thinking about Federal Grants administered by the State... are they in for a big disappointment. Maryland does not follow Federal Policy and they do not fund projects like this. Is this going to be another bike master plan gathering dust when they find out despite examples all across the country of projects like this getting grants but not in Maryland.]

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Nearly 70 & my father still insists upon bicycling in the snow!

From Jenna Norwood blog:

Check out my father’s Christmas Day activism re: human-powered locomotion in the snow. He’s nearly 70 and he still insists upon using his bicycle for transportation, regardless of the weather. He gave up his car years ago because of the environmental impact.

Greenbelt, the city where my father lives, is the last remaining cooperative community that was set up during FDR’s administration. Rexford Tugwell (whom my dog is named after) came up with the idea to bring people together for economic recovery after WWII. He and Eleanor Roosevelt were instrumental in creating and promoting the communities. ER spent time there & Tugwell retired there.

Incidentally, my father eats almost exclusively raw food (I inspired him!) and he rode his bicycle nearly 50 miles to his 50-year high school reunion on the weekend of his 68th birthday. That was after going raw for 30 days.

So…on Christmas Day when most people were celebrating with food and drink, my father was on a mission. [The get sidewalks cleared of snow.]`]

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