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

Fri Jul 17 22:40:22 CDT 2009

Does anyone have odd cans of white paint lying around? Maybe we can have a paint session at the Bike Coop during one of the open hours, then a bike procession to the location on another day (after they dry). 

Certainly recognizing this should be part of critical mass on the 31st. 

-elizaBeth

A strong people need no leader 
- Zapata 

--- On Fri, 7/17/09, Spinner, David Todd <spinner at illinois.edu> wrote:

From: Spinner, David Todd <spinner at illinois.edu>
Subject: RE: [CCB] [CMI-CM] Re: Bicyclist dies after being hit by truck in Urbana
To: "Anthony Cherolis" <acherolis at gmail.com>, "Fawn Ellis" <fawn.ellis at gmail.com>
Cc: "CCB Discussion List" <discuss at lists.champaigncountybikes.org>, "RickLanglois at gmail.com" <RickLanglois at gmail.com>, "Bike Coop" <bikecoop at lists.chambana.net>, "Critical Mass" <critical-mass at lists.chambana.net>, "Elizabeth Simpson" <elizacorps at yahoo.com>
Date: Friday, July 17, 2009, 10:36 PM

Already have in mind some bikes on the ramp we could donate to this fine cause.  I am all for it.

Todd
________________________________
From: discuss-bounces at lists.champaigncountybikes.org [discuss-bounces at lists.champaigncountybikes.org] On Behalf Of Anthony Cherolis [acherolis at gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, July 17, 2009 9:27 PM
To: Fawn Ellis
Cc: CCB Discussion List; RickLanglois at gmail.com; Bike Coop; Critical Mass; Elizabeth Simpson
Subject: Re: [CCB] [CMI-CM] Re: Bicyclist dies after being hit by truck in Urbana

We've definitely got some bikes that would be more useful painted white and locked to a sign than scrapped at The Bike Project.

Bike Project folks - Is this something we would support after this rash of recent issues?

T

On Fri, Jul 17, 2009 at 5:13 PM, Fawn Ellis <fawn.ellis at gmail.com<mailto:fawn.ellis at gmail.com>> wrote:
I think along with alerting drivers that cyclists do share the roads, ghost bikes can also make cyclists more aware that they are not invincible. I know I haven't been riding in Champaign very long (1 month) and while I don't see as many risky riders as I did in NYC I do see a lot of people who do not pay attention while riding and who also maybe don't know the rules of rightful and safe cycling. Overall there needs to be more education for both cyclists and drivers. I think ghost bikes while they aren't the exact type of education we are looking for, it is awareness.

Also, in the big cities, at least in my experience, ghost bikes don't seem to make people ride less or fear for riding they simply act as awareness and a memorial/respect for the rider. However, since they are in big cities they are spread out more.  I am not sure how they would play out in a small town like Champaign-Urbana, I am not sure if they would become overwhelming, though that could be a good thing as it would signify that things need to change and the infrastructure and education needs to be put in place.

Fawn

On Fri, Jul 17, 2009 at 4:36 PM, Susan Jones <siouxgeonz at gmail.com<mailto:siouxgeonz at gmail.com>> wrote:
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<mailto: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<mailto:ricklanglois at gmail.com>> wrote:
>
> From: Rick Langlois <ricklanglois at gmail.com<mailto: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<mailto:joelgillian at hotmail.com>>
> Cc: "Critical Mass" <critical-mass at lists.chambana.net<mailto:critical-mass at lists.chambana.net>>, "Bike Coop"
> <bikecoop at lists.chambana.net<mailto:bikecoop at lists.chambana.net>>, "CCB Discussion List"
> <discuss at lists.champaigncountybikes.org<mailto: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<mailto: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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