[CMI-CM] Re: [CCB] Bicyclist dies after being hit by truck in Urbana

[Susan Jones]

I know we brought "ghost bikes" up for Matt Wilhelm.  The down side of
it is that it focuses on cycling being a death-defying act  (tho' the
assorted memorials for car wrecks on the side of the road don't seem
to dissuade drivers).  The "up" side is the awareness that driving can
be a death-inflicting act and to STFD (slow down).

On Fri, Jul 17, 2009 at 3:38 PM, Elizabeth Simpson<elizacorps at yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I was recently in chicago, where, when a cyclist is killed, a white bike
> (simply a bike painted white, with the person's name on it, and maybe a
> placard about them) is placed nearby as a memorial and to create awareness.
>
> I would like to see this happen in response to the death of George Weisiger,
> if it seems appropriate. Thoughts?
>
> elizaBeth
>
> A strong people need no leader
> - Zapata
>
>
>
> --- On Thu, 7/16/09, Rick Langlois <ricklanglois at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> From: Rick Langlois <ricklanglois at gmail.com>
> Subject: [CMI-CM] Re: [CCB] Bicyclist dies after being hit by truck in
> Urbana
> To: "Joel Gillespie" <joelgillian at hotmail.com>
> Cc: "Critical Mass" <critical-mass at lists.chambana.net>, "Bike Coop"
> <bikecoop at lists.chambana.net>, "CCB Discussion List"
> <discuss at lists.champaigncountybikes.org>
> Date: Thursday, July 16, 2009, 1:28 PM
>
> I want to express my most sincere sympathy for the cyclist's family. I
> believe he grew up here in town.
>
> No one likes to hear of these sorts of tragedies. I think the entire
> community is lucky this isn't the second bicyclist's death in two weeks. The
> hit and run on Montecello Rd. could have turned out worse than it did.
>
> A reporter from Ch. 15 news just came and interviewed me about this. My
> talking points were...
> 1) There is no excuse for driving under the influence or while distracted.
>
> 2) All road users have to be careful - and be aware of the risks and
> understand your own level of risk acceptance.
> Most of us drive cars as well as ride bikes. Will you wear your seat belt?
> Do you have airbags? Will you talk on the cell phone and drive?  Bike riders
> and peds aren't the only ones killed by cars. Cars kill people in other cars
> too.
> Do you wear a bike helmet? Do you use bike lights at night? Do you wear
> bright colors to be more visible? Do you talk on the cell phone while you
> ride? Do you stop at stop signs? Do you use a rear view mirror? Do you use
> hand signals? Do you ride on busy streets?
> Each of us answers these questions for ourselves and that makes up our level
> of risk acceptance. It's important to understand our cycling skill level and
> ride within our skill.
>
> 3) Bike lanes may have made this situation safer. My understanding is that
> the bike rider fell while trying to go around pedestrians. Clearly the bike
> rider didn't feel safe in the street. If Green street had been a Complete
> Street (with a bike lane) would the rider have been in a bike lane and not
> had to get around pedestrians on the sidewalk? We won't ever know of course,
> but the question comes to mind.
>
> Be careful all!
> Rick Langlois
>
>
>
> On Thu, Jul 16, 2009 at 11:23 AM, Joel Gillespie <joelgillian at hotmail.com>
> wrote:
>>
>>
>> http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2009/07/16/bicyclist_dies_after_being_hit_by_truck_in_urbana
>>
>> Anyone have any additional knowledge of this situation?
>
>
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>
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-- 
Sue J, webmastress
http://www.resourceroom.net
http://bicycleuc.wordpress.com