09.04.08
Posted in Advocacy, Tales from the Trenches
by Mark Dieterich at 1:38 pm
By now, most everyone is aware the school is back in session and you’ve likely seen many articles in local papers reminding people of this fact. Most of these articles, as they should be, will be targeted at reminding motorists to slow down, obey the school zones, and be patient with the school buses. In the same manner, cyclists should also be more diligent. Aside from being mindful in school zones and groups of kids waiting at the edge of the road for a bus. It’s this last group I really want to focus on.
As I pass many groups of kids in the morning, I’m reminded of one afternoon when I joined a fellow cyclists to pick up his daughter from childcare. As he was inside getting his daughter ready, I waited by the bikes standing next to the fence for the playground. Before I knew it, I had a small group of kids congregated around me, peppering me with questions about biking and telling me their own bicycle stories. It really made me wonder what happens to our enthusiasm for bicycles as we get older and I began pondering what we could do to help kids keep their interest in cycling.
So what can we do? Well, I would propose that we all make an effort to interact with this groups of kids waiting for the bus. Just a friendly wave or a hello as you pass might be enough to make them stop and think, why am I waiting for this bus when I could be riding my bike to school. The motorists sure aren’t going to slow down enough to greet these kids, so why don’t we cyclists step up to the plate and help make these kids know they are important as well.
I had a great interaction this morning. As I approached one particular group of kids, I could see them pumping their arms trying to get the passing cars and trucks to honk their horns. None of the passing autos were obliging them, so when I rolled up and as I passed them I rang my bell a few times. As I pedaled away, I heard a chorus of enthusiasm and laughter, what a way to start my day! Who do you think got the “cool” points for today, the cars or the cyclist?
Permalink
09.03.08
Posted in Tales from the Trenches
by Mark Dieterich at 8:58 am
It seems even the Henderson Bridge is more crowded these days and this morning was no exception. As I pedaled across the bridge, cars were backed up well onto the bridge. It felt so great to go flying by them all as they sat in traffic waiting their turn.
As I road past the cars, it occurred to me that I apply a very simple rule… I’ll pass a car on the shoulder if I can leave as much empty space as I would like them to leave for me as they pass, about three feet. As I approached Patterson St, where the road narrows, I stopped passing cars and waited my turn to make a quick jog onto Patterson. My thinking here is based on one of my fundamental principles, treat the cars with the same respect that I would like them to have for me. Believe it or not, it’s quite possible to startle a driver by whizzing by them really close, just as cyclists can become startled when cars pass to close. Startling a driver does little to promote bicycle rights, more than likely it just puts a bad taste in another driver’s mouth.
I’m sure there are plenty of alternate opinions about this very topic, feel free to share them, just be nice 
Permalink
08.23.08
Posted in Tales from the Trenches
by Mark Dieterich at 9:44 pm
I was just about home last night, when I passed a car parked on the sidewalk just down the street. For whatever reason, I decided to actual try and do something about it this time. So I called the non-emergency police number and told the dispatcher that they could score an easy ticket, as there was a car parked on the sidewalk. While he didn’t say it, I could sense from the dispatchers voice that he thought I was wasting their time.
I figured nothing would come of this call, so I sat down with the family to enjoy dinner. Part way through the meal, I was shocked when I saw out the window that a police cruiser was actually driving down the street; I really didn’t figure they would even bother. I was even more shocked when the officer just drove by and did nothing! I saw at least a half dozen people need to detour off the sidewalk because of this car, a few of them opting to take the blind leap onto the road and potential oncoming traffic.
Just another sign that the car does truly rule in America.
Permalink
07.29.08
Posted in Tales from the Trenches
by Margherita at 8:26 am
July 29, 2008
Officer Investigated in Toppling of Cyclist
A New York City police officer was stripped of his gun and badge on Monday after an amateur video surfaced on the Internet showing him pushing a bicyclist to the ground in Times Square during a group ride on Friday evening.
The cyclist, identified in court papers as Christopher Long, 29, was taking part in a monthly ride, called Critical Mass, that often draws hundreds of riders. In a criminal complaint against Mr. Long, the officer, identified in the court documents as Patrick Pogan of the Midtown South precinct, says that the cyclist rode straight into him. But the video, posted on YouTube and on the blog Gothamist.com, shows the officer lunging toward Mr. Long.
Read the rest of this entry »
Permalink
07.27.08
Posted in Tales from the Trenches
by Margherita at 1:00 pm
My daughter and grand-daughter going for groceries in St. Paul.
Permalink
07.25.08
Posted in Tales from the Trenches
by Mark Dieterich at 8:38 pm
This picture is the result of a collision between a RIPTA bus and a cyclist. A friend of the cyclist involved in this accident forwarded the picture to me. Fortunately the cyclist was uninjured and needed no hospital care, but look at this poor bike!
I scoured the internet to see if I could locate any mention of this incident, but couldn’t find anything. It does make you wonder how many events like this are occurring every day that the public just never hears about.
If those involved with the accident have any further details about the collision that you would like to share, I think we would all be interested in the details.
Permalink
07.16.08
Posted in Tales from the Trenches
by Mark Dieterich at 11:21 pm
Sorry, this rant isn’t completely bike related, but I’m posting it anyways because I still can’t believe what I experienced.
I was on my way home today when I approached two young ladies physically standing in the street in a painted crosswalk, obviously waiting to cross the road. As I rolled up, I dutifully came to a stop. Together we waited as I counted seven cars drive past, one of them briefly stopping on and blocking the crosswalk because traffic was backed up. Eventually, I pulled out and physically blocked the lane of traffic with my bike, only to watch two more cars drive through the crosswalk going the opposite direction. After they crossed the road, I continued on my way, only to be honked and glared at by the motorist I blocked. Luckily, it must have been too hot outside to open a window or I might have heard some choice words as well.
What has happened to the people in this country? Why are we in such a hurry, when we get behind the wheel, that we blatantly break the law and utterly disrespect pedestrians.
Permalink
06.06.08
Posted in Tales from the Trenches
by Mark Dieterich at 11:40 am
I’ve been meaning to add a new category to the blog for a while now and I had an experience on my ride home last night that finally convinced me to take action. So, I added a category called “Tales from the Trenches” and I would encourage people to write well thought out accounts of dangerous or unfair situations you have found yourself in. I don’t want this to turn into a flame war, my hope is we can use it to give motorists a better feeling for the conditions and dangers cyclists face on a daily basis. Perhaps some day, these tales will help convince non-cyclists that we can be well behaved and deserve true equality on the streets.
Without further ado, here is my experience last night…
I decided to enjoy a quiet ride home on the EBBP last night. Aside from the gnats, it was a great time and temperature to be riding. I pull up to the bike trail crossing at Rt. 114 in Barrington, push the light button and dutifully wait for the light to change. On my left is the parking lot for Coleman Realty and I notice two police cars, drivers windows next to each other. On my right, is the back exit from the shopping plaza. As the light changes to red and the walk signal comes up, this car comes whipping out of the back exit from the shopping plaza and blows through, what must have been a red light, because I had a walk signal! I’m riding across the street, pointing at the car yelling “red light”. Once I’m across I shout to the policy, “aren’t you going to do something about that car that just ran the red light?” Their response, “what red light?”. Argh… they must have been too busy eating donuts or talking to each other.
Permalink
