Bike Safety

[Judy Frankel]

Having been close to being killed by a Semi Truck and attending the Funeral and Court cases of friends both injured and killed by motor vehicles, I am concerned and interested in what we can do to improve bike safety.

I have been quite unhappy with the way the courts and the law treats cycling in this country.  Even more so now that I have ridden in Europe.

Here is a great article regarding the difference in the way bicycle safety is seen in the US and Europe.

Do be careful of those blind spots..

http://www.velonews.com/article/86431/legally-speaking-with-bob-mionske---turning-with-a-blind-eye

If anyone knows real ways that we can be involved in making real changes to driving laws and drivers education with regard to cyclists, I'd love to hear about them.

Judy

[voyager60]

Hi Judy,

I think we all have to become much more activist regarding the issue of cycling in Southern Calif.  This means contacting and sending letters on the local, state and federal level.  For pete sakes, local dog owners, for instance, are much more active in trying to establish dog parks and beach access, than cyclists are pushing for safe routes, etc.  Most of us spend much too time and money worrying about the best carbon frame, when 12-speed will be available, etc.  Who cares how gucci your bike is when it isn't safe to ride it!  For starts, join SD Bicycle Coalition for $30 a year.   Government officials and politicians could care less about bicyclists--it's up to us to be noisy about what we want.  For instance, Cascade Cycling Club up in the northwest has about 3,000 members and is much more activist than any clubs in S. Cal.   If you hear about a cyclist being savaged and the motorist is let off, write the district attorney, the sheriff, the police chief, letters to the editor, etc. 

[Judy Frankel]

I thought part of bike membership in  NCCC paid for the Bike Coalition membership.  Is that not so?

In any case, the bike coalition may be doing things but I have not seen any requests from them to sign petitions or write our congressman.

How can we find out what they are doing and what their positions are and what laws they are tying to have passed.

Judy

[Letitia]

If you pay dues to the NCCC, you are a member of SD Bike Coalition.  Carol Carr is our liason to the Bike Coalition and she is also on the board.  If you want to find out about Coalition happenings contact her.  You should also be getting the Coalition's quarterly news letter.

Letitia

[karlos]

The website http://sdcbc.org/ is pretty good - you can even donate beyond what NCCC puts in. Also recognize that KC Butler, long-time NCCC member (not sure if he is current) logs many airplane miles to Sacramento to lobby the State Legislature. Dave White is now also quite active and the current director, Kathy Keehan, is another great listener.