Tag: Bike Law

Posted on

Show #581 – November 13, 2021

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Guests: Brett Horton; Rachael Maney

In the first of conversations for holiday 2021, we finally caught up with Brett Horton who, along with his wife Shelly, owns the Horton Collection out of San Francisco.

The first poster was printed in 1893 for the Chicago World Championships

THC logo 01 02 2016 v4

and  in 1927, the first UCI World’s was held.  Brett & Shelly love posters from the World Championship and for more than 25 years have pursued to collect an example from each World Championship. They are not quite there yet, but hope springs eternal.

Brett looks at these artistic pieces as “snapshots in time.”  And, in our conversation he explains why these posters are no longer produced and, how you can get add one or more to your bicycle art collection if you are interested.

Brett and I talk about what it takes to make these reproductions artistically beautiful – from the paper to the printing process.

Then, one of the more outrageous cases that Bike Law is currently working on has been blowing up on media for weeks and, Rachael Maney, national director for Bike Law, joins me to talk about that and some of the continuing issues that keep cropping up for us when it comes to crashes between cars and bikes.

Waller, Texas is now the scene of two multi-cyclist crashes – two investigations – and so far, one conviction and one indictment.

In the first instance, people lost their lives, and the trial resulted in a life sentence for the driver.

In the second, a teenager who claims to be a “new driver,” is going to find out what is in store for him in the not-too-distant future.

But, what is really telling about these crashes is that it took social media to get the cases moving when the police failed to charge the driver and instead let him go.

I wanted to try to understand why these crashes aren’t being prosecuted to the full extent of the law and what Bike Law has to suggest if there is ever a circumstance where you find yourself in a crash.

I also wanted to share Rachael’s post that includes a point-by-point checklist of what to do if you are in a crash!   (Scroll down for the list)

I’d like to offer a big shout out to Huck Kurinsky.  He’s a now 7 year old who lives in Bay Village, Ohio – on the West Side of Cleveland and  is a BMX National Champion.  If you’d like to read the story, you can find it at cleveland.com for November 9th.

Huck began entering competitions and winning, even landing a scholarship to train with professionals at the X Games summer camp in Pennsylvania. He eventually entered the U.S. National competition in California last month. Huck broke the world record for the youngest male to complete a backflip.

Way to go Huck!

Posted on

Show #577 – October 16, 2021

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Guest: Jared Fisher

When you look up the word entrepreneur in the dictionary, it would NOT surprise me if Jared Fisher’s face was what you saw.

Riding, performing, and producing BMX trick events from the time he was 10 until he was 27, Jared Fisher is now the owner of multiple bike shops, Escape Adventures, a 30 year old touring company that specializes in mountain bike and mutli-sport tours, and has his sights on the Governorship of Nevada.

OH and then there is the new Aquarius Trail… a project Jared had on his bucket list for many years and that came to fruition late last summer… wait til you hear about THAT.

His energy is palpable and contagious and our conversation covers the gamut at 51 he has accomplished so much and yet has so much more he wants to do.

If you are interested in reserving one of the huts on the Aquarius trail, you can log on to aquariustrail.com. And, for more information about Escape Adventures – yep you got it… escapeadventures.com. And, to learn more about the man himself… as well as his wife Heather, go to
escapeadventures.com/contact-us and scroll down.

Before we go, I’d like to read you a short piece about the State of Texas vs Victor Kevin Tome. It’s a win for bicyclists out of a horrible situation resulting in unbearable loss.

On Monday, June 21, 2021, trial began for the State of Texas v. Victor Kevin Tome.

Tome, was charged with Capital Murder, 2 counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Accident Involving Serious Bodily Injury, and 2 counts of Accident Involving Death.

The charges stem from the events of March 25, 2017, when Tome drove his vehicle into a group of cyclists, killing 2 of them. Witnesses testified that Tome was driving towards several bicyclists training in Waller County on Buller Road. Tome struck five innocent victims while purposely maneuvering his car towards them. He killed Craig Tippit and Keri Guillory. Tome fled the scene and hid in a local house until his arrest later that afternoon. Tome plead not guilty by reason of insanity. A military psychiatrist, Michael Arambula, testified for the prosecution against three defense experts on the issue of insanity. Arambula found that the defendant suffered from psychosis due to extensive abuse of ecstasy, marijuana and alcohol. The jury took a little over an hour to convict Tome of all counts.

On the charge of Capital Murder, Tome was sentenced to life in prison without parole by the Court. The State was represented by prosecutors Sean Whittmore and Warren Diepraam. The Honorable Albert M. McCaig, Jr. presided over the trial. District Attorney, Elton Mathis would like to thank the jurors for their diligent service, as well as the court staff and law enforcement officers who assisted with the investigation and trial. Mathis stated, “Waller County is a peaceful rural county, and people committing crimes of this nature will be held accountable by the citizens. We hope this conviction will help the families of the victims in some small way. The pain that they have suffered is unimaginable.” Tome will never be eligible for parole.

So while we may claim some victory for the 2017 crash, we are still watching the most recent multiple victim crash investigation that occurred in the same Texas county, injuring 6 riders. .

This time, a teenage driver decided to coal-roll the cyclists before running into them.

I would like to ask you to go to our sponsor’s website – bikelaw.com and click on the blog at the top of the page. Read the entry titled “Coal Rolling Texas Truck Driver Plows Into 6 Cyclists” because, in addition to explaining what is happening in the case, Rachael and Peter explain some very important elements of this crash and what you can do to protect yourself if you ever find yourself in a similar situation. It’s a must read for all of us.

Posted on

Show #558 – June 5, 2021

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Guests: Clarice Lorenzini; Elli Sias

In an article she wrote for teamusa.org’s triathlon site on May 19th, Clarice Lorenzini says:

“I’m Clarice Lorenzini and I’m Here To Make A Difference.”

As the only Asian-American Pro Triathlete on the Ironman Circuit, Clarice is bound and determined to race proud as a member of the AAPI community as well as give back to the cycling community at large with ongoing advocacy.

Our conversation today runs the gamut from where she grew up and went to college – in NY – to what she does in addition to racing and coaching and we get into some depth about why more Asian Americans aren’t racing on the pro circuit and why it’s important that we talk about it.

Racing her first Ironman as a sponsored pro in Tulsa recently – apropos as it coincided with the commemoration of the Tulsa Massacre – Clarice and I delve into what’s it’s like to stand on the start line and not see anyone who looks like you.

In February of 2020, we spoke with Elli Sias from Cycle of Life Adventures as she explained what it was taking to get even the smallest group on tour.

Now, bicycle touring is opening up again after the fifteen or so months of shut-down, and Elli’s business is not only open – it’s booming. With an already 80% full rate on many of her offerings, Elli and I talk about three of her many wonderful adventures including the Asheville Fundo, the Bluegrass and Bourbon Tours – oh, yeah… we’re up for that;  and the 33-day epic Mighty Mississippi tour.

Posted on

Show #525 – October 24, 2020

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Guests: Peter Wilborn; Dr. Chris Cherry; Jacob Van Sickle

How is politics impacting cycling?  Is there undue influence to how we perceive our “cycling movement” from the outside- or even from the inside?

What do equity and inclusiveness REALLY look like? And, why is infrastructure – bicycle infrastructure – so important to the overall success of cycling?

Of even more urgency is to understand why it is important to embrace law enforcement as a relationship that will benefit us as cyclists instead of distancing ourselves from it.

Politics has certainly been up from for many if not most of us lately; but, I’m not certain I saw the juxtaposition of bicycle advocacy and politics until my conversation with Peter Wilborn, founder and partner at Bike Law. He always makes me broaden my thinking, and today is no different.

After a break, we’ll head to Knoxville, TN to speak with Professor Chris Cherry.

If you have ever come to a railroad crossing and missed the mark – meaning, you hit the crossing at an angle that caused you to crash – you will appreciate the work my second guest has done to mitigate the problem.

When his wife crashed at a railroad crossing on her way to work and the head of his department at the University asked Chris Cherry what he was going to do about all the crashes that seemed to be occurring at this crossing near the campus of UT, he and his team decided they’d better do something. The solution – his jug handle design – was simple, efficient, and inexpensive.

Dr. Chris Cherry. is a professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering whose primary research areas focus on transportation system impacts from emerging technologies (like e-bikes, e-scooters, & shared mobility) on safety, sustainability, health, and mobility, and he joins us today.

And then, we’ll do a quick check-in with Bike Cleveland‘s Executive Director, Jacob van Sickle. As has every other organization in the past 7 months, Bike Cleveland needed to make radical changes to its programs and events in the wake of COVID19.

Jacob fills us in on those changes as well as offers us some bright spots to focus on for 2021.

Bike Cleveland, our local advocacy organization, has been busy trying to navigate the new normal of COVID for local cyclists. Jack Van Sickle, the executive director, fills us in on some of the programs and projects in the works for the remainder of this year and on into 2021.

Posted on

July 9, 2020 – Special Edition

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Guest: Rachael Maney From Bike Law

For as long as I can remember, the bicycle industry has been on a “mission” to get more women on bikes – whether that means recreationally, for transportation, for leisure riding, or for elite competition.

The truth is, that there are already millions of women on bicycles – both worldwide and right here in the U.S. And yet, we seem invisible.

At this moment in time, a time where nothing seems to fit – where there are so few things we feel we can depend upon and trust anymore – there is the simple and well known fact that bicycles and women go together – perfectly.

To illustrate this more fully, my friend, colleague, and an elite bicycle rider herself, Rachael Maney, and I offer up this conversation.

It was recorded July 3rd.

We welcome feedback and comments.

Posted on

Show #507 – June 13, 2020

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Guests: Rachael Maney; Sgt Mike Wear

This week’s show tries to put some perspective on the events of not only the past two weeks; but, also the raw realities that have emerged about everything we might have been taught when we were in school and what we think we see in the news and on the streets today – and how the bicycle can be a symbol for both good and bad.

As we try to untangle and understand all the myriad things that are happening – – from COVID19 and its profound effects on our lives and the economy, to the horrific and sickening death of George Floyd and the subsequent global outcries for equity and justice, I turned to my friends and supporters at Bike Law for some perspectives that you may not have heard yet.

Peter Wilborn, who is the founder of Bike Law, started out as a civil rights attorney. In fact, in 2016, Peter wrote a piece for the Bike Law Blog titled, Biking is a Civil Right.

National Bike Law Director, Rachael Maney, has some very personal connections to discrimination and civil rights herself.

So today, Rachael and I take a look at everything from statistics and consequences to illustrations of how inequities show up in everyday situations.

Then, I speak with Sgt Mike Wear, the VP and Public Information Officer for IPMBA. the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA) is a non-profit association dedicated to promoting the use of bikes for public safety, providing resources and networking opportunities, and offering the best, most complete training for public safety cyclists.

Over the past couple of weeks as people demonstrated, and sometimes rioted and looted, you may have seen photos of police officers holding their mountain bikes up as shields – or what some headlines have said as weapons – to fend off crowds of people.

From those photos came a barrage of commentary from bike manufacturers that they would no longer supply bicycles to police departments and will “do better” and be “all in” in making changes in their work cultures.

Then I got to thinking and started seeing another side – a way different side – of police on bikes and decided there was way more to the story than the knee jerk reaction – including mine – of condemning the police for the work they were trying to do.

Posted on

Show #500 – April 18, 2020

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

It’s our 500th show! NO KIDDING!!!!
And, it’s a special edition of the show!

We turn the microphone around while Brian interviews Diane.

We discuss a variety of topics from how The Outspoken Cyclist started to what we want to see going forward.

Thanks for listening to the show.

Thanks for being a member of our “team.”

I hope you will continue to enjoy our weekly episodes.

Posted on

Show #480 – November 30, 2019

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Guests: Rachael Maney; Eben Weiss aka Bike Snob NYC

 

When long distance triathlete Rachael Maney was hit by a car, she found her Bike Law teammate a valued asset in not only helping her with her case; but, also as a trusted friend who helped get her back out on the bike.

Now, Rachael is the National Director for the 26-state network of Bike Law attorneys. She wears a lot of hats in her multiple roles that cover the gamut from advocacy and outreach to public relations and marketing.

We also head to the Big Apple where I catch up with one of the most recognized “voices” in the bicycle world – BikeSnobNYC’s Eben Weiss.

As one of the earliest bloggers on the subject of cycling, Eben’s rapier wit is now heard on the air waves with his weekly call-in show on WBAI 99.5FM in NYC.

He still blogs daily as well as writes regular columns for the NYC Alt-Trans advocacy organization as well as OutsideOnLine

Posted on

Show #388 – February 17, 2018

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Guests: Peter Wilborn; Mary Wisnewski; encore interview with Rody Walter

RADIOTHON 2018!!! Yep – it’s time to log on to wjcu.org and pledge your support for the show AND the station. We only do this once a year and all of the money raised goes directly to the station! Any amount is greatly appreciated – and, thanks for listening!

Over the past year, we have reported on cyclists who have been hit – often fatally – while riding. We haven’t however, talked much about cyclists who crash by virtue of obstacles in their paths – obstacles like potholes or sewer grates or raised barriers that are difficult if not impossible to see.

Cyclists have been badly injured – sometimes sustaining permanent disabilities – and their equipment has been damaged.
Now that the roads are beginning to show the ravages of winter, I thought it would be a good time to talk about what you can and probably should do if you encounter these types of issues.

My first guest is Bike Law’s Peter Wilborn. Peter knows all too well about cyclists who are injured and equipment that is damaged as he has devoted his legal career to their causes. We walk about what to do if you encounter a road hazard, what needs to change when it comes to being less vulnerable on the road, and ends with a plea to “keep on riding”.

After a break, Chicago Tribune transportation reporter Mary Wisnewski talks to me about the work she has been doing in her town to shed some light on the disparity among residents who are being ticketed to minor cycling infractions. Her 2017 article “Biking While Black: Chicago Minority Areas See The Most Bike Tickets” was followed up this week with her column Black neighborhoods still see most bike tickets, police data show.

Mary and I talk about what the statistics show and how, while the number of tickets is decreasing, the disparity is staying the same.

Finally, since this is NAHBS weekend – and, unfortunately, circumstances did NOT pan out for me to attend the show, I thought I’d bring back one of my favorite people in an encore interview. Rody Walter from Groovy Cycles in Wooster, Ohio has been my guest a couple of times and was also a member of my frame builder’s panel in Sacramento.

He has a smart and unique view of the custom bike world and I thought hearing this conversation again would whet your appetite for some fancy bikes.

#nahbstweets will be goin on all weekend and beyond to showcase some of the beautiful equipment being exhibited in Connecticut.