Cyclists sue Seattle over new streetcar track hazards
[B’ Spokes: Note this could happen here if the Red Line goes in.]
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As the tracks of the South Lake Union Transit have been laid, numerous reports of bicycle accidents have turned up in these areas, particularly at the Fairview-Valley intersection, where left-turning bicyclists are hard-pressed to approach the tracks at a 90-degree angle.
In addition to the streetcars themselves, cyclists must take care to avoid the streetcar tracks, which can easily ensnare the average city bike tire.
Joe Pomerleau, a bicycle commuter, learned about this new safety hazard the hard way.
“I was biking to work downtown heading towards Mercer Street,” Pomerleau wrote in an e-mail. “I crossed over the rail line and my back tire got caught and threw me off my bike, shattering my left elbow. I probably will not have full functionality of my left arm again because of this.”
Unfortunately, Pomerleau is not alone.
On Dec. 6, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported another streetcar related accident along Westlake. Additionally, many online blogs and message boards, run by groups such as Seattle Likes Bikes, turn up many instances of accidents and injuries related to the new tracks.
“We like the idea of the streetcar and support expanding the network,” said David Hiller, advocacy director for the Cascade Bicycle Club, which has received at least nine reports of severe injuries from cyclists.
A 2005 technical report prepared for the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) by Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc. alludes to the potential hazards at intersections such as Fairview-Valley and the need for alternate routes along some of the main stretches of track.
“Unfortunately, the Seattle Department of Transportation ignored the safety concerns and decided it was better to get the streetcar built quickly, rather than correctly,” Hiller said.
Continue reading “Cyclists sue Seattle over new streetcar track hazards”
ELEPHANTS ROUTE
This post contains necessary information about the race taking place JUNE 5th!
Carton of the day
Joke of the day
They’ve invented a car that runs on water!
Current models only support water from the Gulf of Mexico.
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Baltimore Spokes word cloud
Keep an eye on your bike if you are in Ocean City
[B’ Spokes: Note content edited to show only bike thefts.]
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OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Police Department summarized the following activity for the week of May 23 through May 30.
May 23, 2010: Sunday
• Theft investigation, 2300 block Haven Ave., bicycle taken, at 8:49am
• Theft investigation, 1000 block Wesley Ave., bicycle taken, at 2:55pm
May 25, 2010: Tuesday
• Theft investigation, 500 block Atlantic Ave., bicycle taken, at 3:15pm
May 26, 2010: Wednesday
• Theft investigation, 800 block 2nd St., bicycle taken, at 4:18pm
May 27, 2010: Thursday
• Theft investigation, 800 block West Ave., bicycle taken, at 6:01pm
May 29, 2010: Saturday
• Theft investigation, 800 block St. Charles Pl., bicycle taken, at 11:47am
• Burglary investigation, 100 block Wesley Rd., bicycle taken, at 4:43pm
• Theft investigation, 1000 block Central Ave., bicycle taken, at 10:08pm
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCMENTS:
• The Bicycle Ordinance restricting the hours of bicycles on the boardwalk is now in effect for the summer season.
Continue reading “Keep an eye on your bike if you are in Ocean City”
Velo-City Global is coming
I love the car looking object in a parking space that is really a bike locker.
Copenhagen is getting ready from Velo-city Global 2010 on Vimeo.
The Pedaling Peduins – Hero Dads Beware
On August 1, 2009, the "Pedouins" mounted a "quint" bicycle and started a 7,000 miles journey to Alaska. Yes, you read that right, five people on a bike, riding to Alaska. Oh yeah, the children, all girls, are ages 3, 5, and 7. Also, the Pedouins aren’t simply taking the shortest route from Kentucky to Alaska, no they rode from from Kentucky to southern Florida, across the southern U.S., to California and then up to Oregon and Washington. From there, they’ll ride into B.C. and take ferry or two up the Alaska Marine Highway, to Whittier and then ride to Fairbanks. All told 7,000 miles. Along the route, they camp, they stay at hotels, they blog, they have a weekly radio show, they even have a credo. Oh and did I mention, they ride a five-person bicycle.
I’m pretty blown away by this family. Pretty inspiring. Check out their journey at https://www.pedouins.org
Continue reading “The Pedaling Peduins – Hero Dads Beware”