Not Taking My Pound of Flesh

Monday morning's ride was a harrowing experience I'd like to avoid in the future. I got buzzed by 2 cars on the same ride, both times with less than a foot between me and the cars. The first time, I'm certain if I hadn't swerved out of the way I would have been hit. Sadly, close passes have become so common, I don't get as freaked out by them as I used to, but these had me shaking for 10 minutes each. This photo is just before I swerved for the shoulder.

479 lem from Bikesafer on Vimeo.



rmc 25 from Bikesafer on Vimeo.

Officer Puente from The New Berlin Police Department was professional and helpful through the entire complaint process. Written warnings were issued to both drivers. At first, I was a little disappointed that even with some of the scariest footage of one of the most dangerous passes I've experienced, that no ticket would be issued. I wanted them to pay for coming that close to causing a serious accident.

The more I thought about the situation and it's outcome, though, I remembered why I contact the authorities after incidents like this. I want to insure these drivers don't repeat their dangerous behavior. The best way to accomplish that is to make sure they know the laws and understand bicyclist's rights to use the road. I believe Officer Puente effectively communicated that to both drivers. I also believe that the written warning will serve as a deterrent to prevent them from driving like this again.

Given that outcome I'm happy to leave my pound of flesh on the table and trust that the drivers have learned from the experience.

Love to H8T

Saturday was the 3rd annual, but my first, H8TR. It started with the shotgun, (actually a pinch flat) start. After the neutral roll out it was head for the unfinished trail as fast as you could pedal. Being slightly undergeared for the paved section was fine since the H8T wouldn't really start until the after the turn around into the wind. All in all it was a great way to start the season.

H8TR from Bikesafer on Vimeo.

Warning, Warning, Warning

No, it's not "Robot" from lost in space, it's common sense being exercised by officers from New Berlin and West Allis.

Multiple written warnings were issued this week to bad drivers.

Officers from the maroon Mercury incident and Saturday's white van incident gave written warnings to those drivers.



EK 9330 from Bikesafer on Vimeo.

I wish more officers would use the written warning. I'm not looking to get people cited, I just want them to be more careful around bicyclists. I really think a written warning would do that in many cases. It has the added benefit of being on their record in case they do commit similar offenses, officers can see that and take the appropriate action to get compliance. The officer in West Allis understood and supported my right to the road but apparently the driver did not. He told the officer I should have been on the sidewalk. The officer told him in fact bicycles do have the right to use the road. So now the motorist has been educated about bike laws, and will hopefully change his ways.

Unfortunately not everyone is as enlightened as these officers.

I got what I consider to be justice in these two cases, but it doesn't always work out that way.

http://www.tucsonbikelawyer.com/faith-quick-sentenced-today-in-charles-nystrom-fatality/

Just because we might expect injustice, doesn't mean that we should accept injustice.

Bikesafer

Jeff

Helmet Cam How To

I've received many requests lately for information about how to hook up a helmet camera system. I posted a video how to about a year or so ago. It shows how I set up my bike and helmet with the cameras. As far as camera type, I use the Oregon Scientific ATC2K and ATC3K. I prefer the 2K even though it is the older model it has better low light capabilities. Some folks prefer the VholdR but it is more expensive than the ATC2K. There are many other choices out there most can be found at the website helmet camera central. My video how to can be found at: http://bikesafer.blogspot.com/2008/02/ask-and-you-shall-receive.html

On a separate note, WJJO-FM in Madison recently aired a segment called "Bike Trail of Death" which advocated, jokingly, the killing of cyclists. The segment ended with the statement, "The only bicyclist that isn't a pain in your ass is a dead one on the side of the road." I didn't find this the least bit funny. I'm going to send a letter to the station manager and a complaint to the FCC. I'll post the letter when it's done. The more letters and calls the station gets, the more likely it is they will get the message they can't use the public airwaves to advocate harming cyclists. If you do write or call, please don't call names or threaten to do anything illegal. Apparently there have been some calls and letters that were just as offensive as the original segment. Being consructive in your criticism will likely get more positive results. The FCC complaint form can be found at:
https://esupport.fcc.gov/sform2000/formE!input.action?form_page=2000E

Bikesafer
Jeff

Ugh!

The latest close pass. I'll have to right more about it later.


543-ewx from Bikesafer on Vimeo.

Orange and Black

Almost black and blue. Orange and black because I'm still on the Alterra email list for group rides. I usually can't fit them into the schedule, but...It was a great day for a long ride with some old friends. So I hooked up with my old teammates from Alterra for a Pewaukee ride. It was a beautiful day and a great ride. Usually when I'm on a group ride I notice drivers give more room when they pass than when they pass an individual rider. I'm not sure why. Apparently no one told Grandma Buick. She almost ended one of us today. She had to be 6 inches away at most. I wish I could have gotten the license plate number. It freaked us all out a little but it didn't spoil a great ride. I'm glad I'm still on the Alterra email list.


Alterra Ride from Bikesafer on Vimeo.

When It Absolutely, Positively Has To Be...

Ignored, or at least given a very low priority.

Fedex used to use the slogan, "when it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight". They still ship thousands of packages overnight and many more in a matter of days. They can keep track of all these package's locations with such accuracy that you can check their location 24 hours a day. What they apparently can't do is keep track of who's driving which truck.


FedEx15188 from Bikesafer on Vimeo.

I called on Monday morning shortly after the truck buzzed me to complain, and found out Thursday afternoon that they still have not been able to locate the truck or the driver who was operating the truck. I find that very hard to believe. I've gone further up the corporate ladder, but it may not do any good. I'm told that FedEx ground drivers are independent contractors, not Fedex employees. I'll let you know what I hear from the corporate types.
Bikesafer
Jeff