[CMI-CM] Bicyclist Killed By Teen Downloading Ringtones

[Susan Jones]

Every May there is a national (international, maybe) Ride of Silence
dedicated to riders killed.  We had a very last-minute effort last year, and
also had severe weather, so half a dozen of us assembled but didn't ride.
(It's got a website so a search engine should find "ride of silence.")  We
decided (couple of Prairie Cycle Club folks) that we'd do it right in 2007,
of course not realizing that we'd have people  to dedicate the ride to
(though Gordon Heino's accident didn't include a car, as far as anybody
knows).

We could also do something in March, though.  It makes sense to keep this
problem in the public eye.


On 12/1/06, Timothy P Freeman <tfreema2 at uiuc.edu> wrote:
>
> Hello all critical massers---
>    In response to this news (which I find very disturbing that such a
> light sentence would be imposed when this is clearly  an instance of
> manslaughter) I am of the opinion that a ride should be planned in honor of
> Wilhelm and in support of
> "Matt's Law."
>    I am not sure if a ride has already occurred; I have been told that
> there was a candlelight vigil which I was not aware of. Perhaps the next
> critical mass can be held in his honor or a separate "special" ride can be
> planned. I envision signs and pamphlets may also be utilized in further
> support of bike advocacy and "Matt's Law."
>    This probably would be more successful if it is planned for a
> post-winter month (possibly March) as there have been very few riders
> showing up for the rides because of the cold weather.
>
>    Let me know your opinions and if this interests anyone. Also, if
> someone could let me know how the last ride went I would appreciate it. I
> know there was some talk of planned routes and I am wondering if this was
> effective.
>    Also, in an effort to further discourage bike snobbery I insist that a
> waving policy be instituted. If you see a fellow cyclist, wave!
> Keep 'em spinning despite the cold weather!
>
>
> ----------T.Freeman
> one gear---one love
>
>
>
> ---- Original message ----
> >Date: Fri, 01 Dec 2006 10:32:35 -0800
> >From: Jym Dyer <jym at econet.org>
> >Subject: [CMI-CM] Bicyclist Killed By Teen Downloading Ringtones
> >To: critical-mass at lists.chambana.net
> >
> >
> http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2006/11/30/woman_is_sentenced_for_bicyclists_death
> >
> >Woman is sentenced for bicyclist's death
> >       By Mary Schenk
> >The News-Gazette | Thursday, 30-Nov-2006 11:38 AM CST
> >
> >URBANA -- Jennifer Stark wiped away tears and nodded that she
> >understood the maximum sentence a Champaign County judge gave
> >her Wednesday for improper lane usage.
> >
> >The 25-year-old former Champaign resident, a University of
> >Illinois mechanical engineering graduate working for Caterpillar
> >in Peoria, died on Sept. 8 from head injuries he received
> >Sept. 2 when 19-year-old Jennifer Stark hit him with her car
> >because she was downloading ring tones to her cell phone instead
> >of paying attention to driving.
> >
> >Mr. Wilhelm was bicycling north on Illinois 130 east of Urbana when he
> >was struck from behind about 7:15 p.m. Stark was so far off the road
> >that she hit Mr. Wilhelm from behind with the driver's side of her car.
> >
> >[...]
> >
> >=v= The tear-inducing "maximum sentence" for killing a cyclist
> >is a $1000 fine and traffic school.  You can read all about how
> >persecuted the driver/killer feels on her MySpace page:
> >
> >http://www.myspace.com/jenniebob18
> >
> >=v= The late cyclist's parents want a better law.
> >    <_Jym_>
> >
> >
> http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2006/11/30/wilhelms_push_legislators_for_distracted_driving_measure
> >
> >Wilhelms push legislators for distracted driving measure
> >       By Mary Schenk
> >The News-Gazette | Thursday, 30-Nov-2006 11:35 AM CST
> >
> >URBANA -- Gloria and Chuck Wilhelm spent the better part of
> >their day Tuesday in Springfield talking to representatives and
> >senators and their staffs.
> >
> >They want "Matt's Law" passed -- legislation that specifically
> >addresses the careless and negligent use of interactive
> >technology including, but not limited to, cell phones, e-mail
> >and iPods.
> >
> >[...]
> >
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >Critical-mass mailing list
> >Critical-mass at lists.chambana.net
> >http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/critical-mass
> Timothy P Freeman
>
> University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
> Department of Urban and Regional Planning
>
> Student Planning Organization, Member
>
> American Planning Association, Member
> _______________________________________________
> Critical-mass mailing list
> Critical-mass at lists.chambana.net
> http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/critical-mass
>



-- 
Sue J, webmastress
http://www.resourceroom.net
http://bicyclecu.blogspot.com
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