This just in! Child hit by cyclist!
Seems like whenever a cyclist is hit by a motor vehicle, Streetsblog posts a link to the story (http://sf.streetsblog.org/), as if the incident is part of the routine oppression inflicted on cyclists on the streets of the country. Maybe I should start posting accidents caused by reckless cyclists, like the one below. Click on the link to the story and check out the comments in pro-bike Seattle.
From a pro-bike blog called "The Bike Nazi":
"We have met the enemy, and it is us"
November 25, 2009
Cyclists resent motorists because a few of them drive in such hazardous, inattentive fashion. And motorists resent cyclists because a few of them ride in such hazardous, reckless fashion. HERE is a story from Seattle: "A bicyclist is accused of plowing into a 6-year old boy who was crossing the street with his father." The poor kid was in a crosswalk, and doing everything properly. The cyclist was blasting down the road, ironically right in front of the Pike Place Market, on his "fixed gear bike that has no brakes." He ran a red light and collided with the kid.
After the accident, the cyclist, Rafael Aranetal, tried to flee the scene, but witnesses detained him. He was charged with vehicular assault and felony hit and run. The little boy's jaw was broken in three places, and is now wired shut. The doctors hope they can save his lower teeth. But they say he was lucky; if the impact had been in his temple instead of his jaw, he'd probably be dead now. If you ride a "fixie" with no brakes on public roads, you are a moron and no friend to the cycling community.
Labels: Children and Bikes, Cycling, Cycling and Safety, Punks on Bikes, Seattle
posted by Rob Anderson @ 10:52 AM
11 comments
11 Comments:
A douche will be a douche whether he's in a car, on the slopes, walking, or riding a bike.
"How True."
Do you see any posts on pro-car blogs stating "We have met the enemy and it is us?". No - because drivers are considered as individuals - good people, douches, whatever. Cyclists are the same. Pedestrians, the same.
The Bike Nazi blog is the only pro-bike blog where I've seen any self-criticism of the great bike movement. By the way, Murph, have you read Judge Busch's decision yet?
"If you ride a "fixie" with no brakes on public roads, you are a moron and no friend to the cycling community."
I have to agree with this. Fixie design is totally sport focussed with no consideration for the needs of practical transport.
Perhaps some riders have adequate skills and attitude, to use them on the streets, but I'm not comfortable that applies to an adequate majority.
why not post about the guy who was speeding on highway 37 and killed a whole family
Was he riding a bike?
no but he ran a red light like the fixie douchbag.
the guy on 37 was a douchebag and his douchery reflects on nobody but himself.
The guy on the fixie was a cyclist and indicates that all cyclists are pretty much trying to kill everyone off that doesn't ride a bike.
"The Bike Nazi blog is the only pro-bike blog where I've seen any self-criticism of the great bike movement."
Find me some self-criticism of the great car movement...
Of course there is self-criticism, Rob. But you wouldn't know about it because you don't spend any time talking to cyclists or trying to understand their point of view.
Thanks for this story. There are people who live in this City who seem to think that everyone should be riding a bicycle when that clearly is not feasible for all. MUNI is definitely not an option for me and many others because it's not safe. I've noticed that cyclists tend to NOT follow the law but are the first to complain and use that as an excuse to get rid of cars in San Francisco when one of them gets hit by a car. Cyclists should be made to follow the law just like drivers or be given a citation.
Good post. I'm annoyed at the comments here. This is common ground between Rob and the bike community, don't knock it. Use this as a chance to see things together.
Incidentally, Rob, I've got bad news that I thought you might be able to help me with - There is a new and insidious trend which needs to be crushed before it gets any further. The hipsters are giving up fixies in favor of those crazy-loud filthy 2-stroke vintage mopeds. Mark my words, if we don't do something NOW, then the city is going to be over-run by these little fuckers by next summer.
Fixies are annoying and dangers, but these un-mufflered mo-peds are way worse. Will you help draft a noise ordinance on them? (same goes for annoying harley's too)
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