Take the Lane

Motorist who mows down cyclists claims self-defence (???)

UPDATE: Further to Sunday's post about the driver crashing through the Critical Mass event in Porto Allegre, Brazil, the Associated Press has reported on event, now saying that 40 cyclists were injured in the incident (this up from 16 earlier today).

Most suffered cuts and broken bones.

The driver, identified by CBS news as 47-year-old Ricardo Neis, has apparently told police he accelerated through the crowd in self-defence after being threatened by one of the cyclists. (In Canada, this is known as the Michael Bryant defence.)

The AP report says the driver, who was picked up by police after his abandoned car was found on the weekend, said that the cyclists "surrounded his vehicle and began beating on it, causing him to panic and fear for his life."

The Critical Mass riders told the newspaper Folha de S. Paulo that no cyclists threatened the driver. "He drove behind us for two blocks, and people were trying to stay calm. Then in the third block, he ... floored it on top of everyone," Marcel Guidoux Kalil told Folha. "It was a scene of war, with twisted bicycles and people bleeding on the ground."

That no one was killed is a miracle. I had earlier said that if the driver is charged, that would be a miracle, too. That was glib. It sounds like this case is being seriously investigated and that the driver may be charged.

One wonders, though, as with the case of the New York cop who was charged with pushing a Critical Mass rider to the ground, what state the investigation would be in if there had not been widely circulated video of the event.

Note to Critical Mass riders: Make sure someone is filming your event.

 

Driver smashes through Critical Mass event

This incredible video shows a car accelerating into some 100 riders at a Critical Mass event last week in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Bicycles are smashed, cyclists are carried a distance on the hood of the accelerating vehicle and a number of riders are left injured on the road.

Amazingly, reports indicate none of the riders were killed. At this writing, the driver has not come forward and the local police seem curiously unexcited about the incident.

So far, few in the mainstream media have picked up on the event, either. This report from Treehugger is only one of a few news reports. Let's hope that the media in Brazil put some heat on the police to take action. This kind of motor vehicle assault can't be ignored.

 

Folding bike riders have issues, too

I've been so focused on battles for a share of the road, that I'd forgotten that cyclists have a wide range of challenges. I was reminded of that in the letters section of the current issue of Bicycle Times, where a folding bike enthusiast writes about the response of security guards as he and his spouse were trying to bring their folding bikes into a convention centre.

They were turned away, even though other mobility devices -- baby buggies, walkers, wheelchairs, etc -- which take up less space were permitted.

The whole point of a folding bike, is that you can fold it up on reaching your destination and take it with you: stick it in the office closet, keep it under your desk, keep it out of the rain and away from thieves.

I'd guess that folding bikes are rare enough in most smaller centres that few, if any, public venues have security protocols about their admittance. I'd be willing to bet that the security guard in the case of the Bicycle Times letter made up the protocol on the spot.

There are longstanding access issues with bicycle racks, where they exist. Too many facilities have bike racks in out-of-the-way locations, far from the door and where few are likely to be watching when someone with bolt cutters shows up.

I wonder what the reaction of young parents or the elderly would be if there was an out-of-the-way marshalling area for baby buggies and walkers: "Please leave your buggies and walkers here and use a grocery cart for your child or to support yourself while shopping."

Riding Felt or REI? Check this.

In case you are riding Felt or REI bikes purchased last year, you will want to know about two product recalls from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Felt is voluntarily recalling 1,550, 2011 F3, F4, F5 and F75 bikes with carbon fibre frames and forks, due to fork failure. Details here.

REI is recalling 160 Novara Fusion bikes for steering tube detachment. Sold in the U.S., so little likelihood of being here in Canda, but you never know. Details here.

More on Walkable, Bikeable Waterloo

When I posted recently on the Walkeable, Bikeable Waterloo Forum, I didn't have the whole story.

There is indeed a public session from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 10 at Waterloo City Hall. But there are also two day sessions the same day at the First United Church, 16 William St. W., in Waterloo. The morning (9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.) and afternoon (1:45 p.m. to 4 p.m.) sessions are essentially the same: intro, presentation by 8-80 Cities executive director Gil Penalosa and workshops.

You have to pre-register for these sessions, by emailing roads@waterloo.ca or calling Helen at 519-747-8620 by Monday, March 7. The hope is that these day sessions will draw municipal officials, politicians, cycling/walking advocates and other stakeholders, who want to understand the costs and benefits of making Waterloo a more bikeable and walkable community. Lunch is provided for any who pre-register for the morning or afternoon session. Cost is free.

The evening event is open to everyone. No free lunch.

There is also a walking audit of downtown Waterloo, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Come out, have a look at what small infrastructure changes could be made to make central Waterloo friendlier to peds and cyclists.

You won't want to miss this people-powered forum

Gil Penalosa, co-founder of the Toronto-based 8-80 Cities and the emcee of Velo-city Sevilla 2011 next month in Seville, Spain, is the featured speaker at the Walkable, Bikeable Waterloo Forum next month in Waterloo.

Penalosa energized the thousands who attended Velo-city Global 2010 event in Copenhagen last year. He's a passionate voice for cycling and walking in communities in the western hemisphere, and his agency has helped municipalities and neighbourhoods redesign themselves for the post-automobile future.

The forum, open to all who want a voice in making Waterloo a welcoming community to cyclists and pedestrians, is Thursday, March 10, from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. It will be held in the council chambers at Waterloo City Hall. It's a free event, but pre-registration is required. Contact Helen at 519-747-8620, with your name, organization, phone number and/or email address, or email roads@waterloo.ca.

On a day like this, a video like this

There's enough syrup in this video from People for Bikes to cause diabetes, but take a chance. I'm really in tune with the idea of oil tankers carrying chocolate milk.

More amazing MacAskill

Really, can you see enough of the thrilling street trials riding of Danny MacAskill? Here's another video, including some interview segments, from what is mostly an adventure skiing DVD from Perfect Moment/Nuit De La Glisse.

Unlike some of the previous MacAskill vids, this one shows some less successful manoeuvres, and the odd smashed bike. (Note to kids wanting to try this at home: your parents better have a bike store or deep pockets.)

Don't confuse politicians with facts

The excellent journalism website Remapping Debate has a great piece on the acrimonious debate in New York about the role of cycing in urban transportation.

It sounds a lot like what is happening in Toronto, with municipal politicians who can't see past the loudest of their constituents. It was particularly telling when one councillor, presented with statistics that seemed to disprove his notion that his constituents were all car-users, discounted the numbers thoroughly with the cliche that you can get data to prove any point you want.

It reminds me also of the climate change debate, when the entrenched sides know what they know...don't try to confuse me with facts.

Cyclists don't slow down motorists; motorists slow down motorists

Great rant on the Boston Biker blog. It's what you've been saying all along.