What’s Behind the Rise in Cyclist and Pedestrian Deaths? | Streetsblog.net

What’s Behind the Rise in Cyclist and Pedestrian Deaths? | Streetsblog.net.

by Angie Schmitt

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is out with traffic fatality data for 2011, and the news is not good for cyclists, pedestrians or, for that matter, anyone who uses U.S. roadways.

While motor vehicle deaths declined to a still mind-numbing 32,000, cycling deaths were up 8.7 percent, and 3 percent more pedestrians were killed. The increase represented a break with recent trends, and folks all over the Streetsblog Network and the news media had different theories on the cause.

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Read the full article here: Streetsblog Network

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• Pedal And Power – Can’t We All Just Get Along? (motortrend.com)
• Bicyclist, pedestrian deaths on the rise (news4jax.com)
• Report: NHTSA says 2011 traffic deaths declined nearly 2%, but on upswing in 2012 (autoblog.com)
• Highway deaths at lowest level since 1949; bike, truck fatalities rise (sacbee.com)
• US car deaths fall but cyclist and pedestrian tolls rise (independent.co.uk)
• NYPD: 1,324 Pedestrians and Cyclists Injured, 14 Killed in September (streetsblog.org)

Cyclists are annoying: Why you think they’re a menace on two wheels. – Slate Magazine

Cyclists are annoying: Why you think they’re a menace on two wheels. – Slate Magazine.

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The fact is, unlike me, most bicyclists are courteous, safe, law-abiding citizens who are quite willing and able to share the road.

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Read the full article here: Slate Magazine

Bicyclists Using Cameras to Capture Accidents – NYTimes.com

Bicyclists Using Cameras to Capture Accidents – NYTimes.com.

WASHINGTON — When Evan Wilder went flying onto the pavement during his bicycle commute one morning here, he didn’t have time to notice the license plate of the pickup truck that had sideswiped him after its driver hurled a curse at him. Nor did a witness driving another car.

But the video camera Mr. Wilder had strapped to his head caught the whole episode.

Read the full story here: The New York Times

Related articles

• To Avert Liability, Washington Town Drops Helmet Laws – NYTimes.com (pitsbicycleblog.wordpress.com)

Pedal Push – TIME

Pedal Push – TIME.

Jeff Frings has a talent for attracting insults. Soda bottles have been hurled at his head without warning. He’s been called unprintable names by people who don’t know his actual name. He’s been sideswiped and rear-ended and run off the road more times than he can count. Red Sox fans wandering through Yankee Stadium have been subject to less abuse from complete strangers than Frings has on the streets of his hometown, Milwaukee.

So what’s his problem? It’s simple: he’s an avid bicyclist.

Read the full story here: Time Magazine

Related articles

• Pedal Push (time.com)

FROM THE TOP | Road Bike Rider

FROM THE TOP | Road Bike Rider.

The Case for Helmet Cams, Driver Education

Not long ago, on an otherwise unremarkable day, I received an email from an RBR reader about a New York Times article noting the use of helmet cameras as a possible deterrent to motorist harassment, and worse, against cyclists.

The reader wrote of the article: “Interesting development. Wearing a camera was suggested to me last week after I was sideswiped by a driver (almost certainly intentionally). Bruised and bloody but nothing broken. I was lucky under the circumstances.”

The day became remarkable when I received two additional emails on the very same topic, one noting the New York Times story, and another referencing a Time magazine article.

Read the full story here: Road Bike Rider

Related articles

• 10-Year-Old Saves Cyclist, Brings Awareness To Need for Safe Cycling (parkingsigns.net)
• Protection Measures Increase With Urban Biking (smartsign.com)
• With Vid: Crash kills e-bike rider in Windsor (windsorstar.com)

Road Warrior

Reblogged from customtripplanning:

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A few years ago Facebook enabled a re-connection with Chuck, a guy who grew up in my neighborhood and I had known since kindergarten.  I have truly enjoyed our conversations in the past couple of years, visiting him in when we were in Chicago and him spending one weekend with us while on a nearby work assignment.

While not someone who has been focused on building and maintaining "body beautiful" something about…

Read more… 296 more words

This looks like a great event!

Family Bike Trails — National Geographic Traveler

Family Bike Trails — National Geographic Traveler.

The National Geographic has a piece about family bicycle trails in its July 2012 edition, featuring the following trails:

• Katy Trail [Missouri]
• Route of the Hiawatha [Idaho]
• Angel Island State Park [California]
• Governor’s Island National Monument [New York]
• Hunting Island State Park [South Carolina]

More to explore on Mission Reach – San Antonio Express-News

More to explore on Mission Reach – San Antonio Express-News.

“[...] an additional mile of the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River has opened to the public, making it possible to enjoy the river’s ecosystem restoration for more than three miles, from the Lone Star Brewery to VFW Boulevard.”

Read the full story here: The San Antonio Express-News

1st Annual Karnes City Family Fun Day

Come and enjoy a 10k bicycle ride at the First Annual Karnes City Family Fun Day on Saturday, June 30th, – and if you don’t want to ride, there’s a run and a walk, too, plus various other activities such as a moon walk, a climbing wall and many many more.

The day starts with a bicycle ride at 8:00 a.m. and will end at around 4 p.m.

The main events are at the city park at the corner of S. Browne and E. Wall streets.

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• Ready to Roll (pitstexasexpatblog.wordpress.com)

To Avert Liability, Washington Town Drops Helmet Laws – NYTimes.com

To Avert Liability, Washington Town Drops Helmet Laws – NYTimes.com.

Is it really better not to have laws to make bicyclists wear helmets? I must admit, I’m in two minds about it. There certainly are arguments for and against it. Btw, that’s a controversial discussion in my native Germany, too, with, strangely as it seems, the ADFC [General German Bicyclists' Club] campaigning against the law. Their argument: fining bicyclists for not wearing a helmet might reduce the number of people who use bicycles, especially for commuting.