Dylan Fish n' Chips Interview--I Am Los Angeles

While reading Prolly I came across this dope video of Dylan Fish n' Chips Hurst. This cat is on-hit. Killer bike control. Great mic control. Diggin' the philosophy. Unity!

Dylan "Fish n Chips" Hurst - I Am Los Angeles from Joris Debeij on Vimeo.

The question begs...

Some of my buddies are organizing a ride this Thursday, March 31 at 7pm. They're pretty amped on it which is generally a good sign that it's gonna be fun. Perfect timing--Starting to get warm again!

Punk Rock MTB Photo Recap of Last 3 Rides: Next ride is tmrw

The Punk Rock Mountain Bike Rides have been something I look forward to. Here's why:

Santee trails field trip, Feb. 6:


Mike and his new ink...


...And his whip.



At the top of the first big climb--Aaron, Chris, Mike, and Sky Boyer (owner of Velo Cult and one of the biggest collections of vintage mountain bikes on the West Coast).


Car-free space. It's better this way. It's hard to appreciate open space unless you experience it directly. Squint vision--Note Sky at the top. Also note that Super Bowl Sunday is one of the best days in America to do anything outside. Most of America was inside watching TV. We were here charting and leading our own adventure.


Santee trails were amazing. Thanks to anyone who has ever contributed to keeping this space open and free from suburban sprawl. Thanks to Sky for showing us what's up. Here's his Curtlo, one of the most modern bikes I've ever seen him on.


Since the rides are every other Sunday, we were supposed to ride on April 20. But it was raining insanely hard that day and so we pushed it back one week to April 27:


Jack murderin' it on this downhill jump he built.


First official fixed riders on the Punk Rock MTB Ride!--Issac and Tait. Isaac is insane. Peep his narrow tires. He was doing barspins on the trail and both him and Tait kept up fine.

Chula Vista field trip, March 6:


Someone built an amazing mini-network of trials stuff. This crew is pro. Check the detail.


Sarah (from Chula Vista) is fearless. As made evident--you don't need a $2,000+ bike to have fun riding on trails. Fuck that notion.


Mountainbikes are tough. Accidentally sucked this up. Stick got pulled, and whip was ready to ride.


Don't mind if I do! Our ride start/ended on this sidewalk where someone chalked this very important message.

Dance w/ us tomorrow! Like the original flier says, meets every other Sunday at Rebecca's Coffeeshop (30th & Juniper St.) beginning Jan. 9.

Next ride is March 20 (local trails), then April 3 (field trip), then April 17 (local trails), etc. Same place, same time.

Corrected update (April 2): Next ride is tomorrow, April 3! We're goin' to Anderson Truck Trail in Lakeside. This trail reclaims the word 'epic.' Meet at Rebecca's at 1pm.

Saturday: Bike Jam Warehouse Party Rager

Jinna Albright, owner of the oldest bike shop in town (Thomas Bike Shop) is organizing an event tomorrow which aims to bring all cyclists together for a major rager. Believe me, knowing Jinna and considering that the time is fliered as '6pm-4am,' this event will not disappoint.

There will be jumps, ramps, rails, and all types of crazy shit for cyclists to get up on. Plus Jinna will be introducing the Team Thomas fixed gear freestyle team.

3004-3020 Commercial st. See you there sometime btwn 6pm and 4am!

Happy b-day, Jinna, and congrats on becoming an SD Velodrome Association Board Member.

Tmrw: Punk Rock MTB Ride Field Trip to Chula Vista!

The Punk Rock MTB Ride has been bangin'! Will be postin' up pics from the last two rides in the next couple weeks.

Tomorrow we're going on a field trip to secret trails in Chula Vista!

Meet at Rebecca's in South Park at 1pm and we will figure out the carpool sitch from there. If you can drive, show up w/ yr car. Or meet us in Chula Vista at Sunridge Park (on East J. St. near Paseo Del Rey) at 1:40pm.

Take back the sun! Out!

Local Bike Advocate/Blogger on KPBS Radio

My buddy Thomas Bahde (History PhD., Bike SD.org Contributor, and SD Bike Union Spokesperson) aced an interview w/ KPBS the other day about bicycling in San Diego.

Thomas is boss. He's got mic control. Check it out.

Don't forget about the official SD Bike Commuter Discount Program kick-off party which includes the screening of a short film about the program. Sky Boyer, owner of Velo Cult and founder of the Bike Commuter Discount Program, is also a core member of the SD Bike Union--a relatively new advocacy group w/ a strong interest in utilitarian cycling.

LA to Introduce Anti-Harassment Ordinance to Protect Bicyclists

This...is...glorious:

An anti-harassment ordiance to protect cyclists from aggressive bigots and violent perpetrators is exactly what we need in San Diego.

From the LA Department of Transportation blog:

Today, a new prospective tool was introduced for bicyclists to defend themselves from harassment and assault. An anti-harassment ordinance, the motion to draft it being originally introduced by Council Member Bill Rosendahl, has been released today by the City Attorney’s Office. Pending council approval, bicyclists will be able to bring civil suit against drivers who assault them, harass them, threaten them, or intentionally distract them.

In the ordinance, the City recognizes not only that “people have a right to ride a bicycle in the City of Los Angeles”, but also that bicyclists are harassed and assaulted simply for being bicyclists – this ordinance gives bicyclists the right to go after offenders in court. The ordinance is now a public document, so you can read it yourself.

Criminal Cases are Tough to Prove

While it’s always been illegal to assault (or threaten to assault) a bicyclist, it has been extremely difficult in the past for authorities to prosecute drivers. That’s because if a police officer isn’t on hand to witness the altercation, there generally isn’t enough evidence to prosecute a driver in a criminal case. Cases of attempted assault are particularly hard to prove; a bicyclist using all their skill to avoid the assaults of an out-of-control driver is left with no physical evidence that an assault took place. There are also instances where the intentionally aggressive actions of a driver towards a bicyclist may cause a crash – just not with the driver that initiated it.

Civil Suits – Lowering the Burden of Proof

Civil suits, however, carry a much lower burden of proof than criminal cases. That’s because civil cases are monetary in nature and never carry any jail time. Under the new ordinance, a series of actions taken against a bicyclist are grounds for a civil suit. They are:

1. Assaulting, or attempting to assault, a bicyclist;
2. Threatening to physically injure a bicyclist;
3. Injuring, or attempt to injure, a bicyclist (this can include verbal and non-verbal threats); and
4. Intentionally distracting a bicyclist with the intent of causing injury

(^Not allowed)

Damages

In these civil suits, drivers who assault or harass bicyclists will be liable for:

1. Triple the dollar amount of any resulting damages or $1,000, whichever is larger;
2. The attorney’s fees of the bicyclist assaulted/harassed; and
3. Any additional punitive damages awarded by a judge or jury

The second stipulation is a very important one. Explicitly covering attorneys’ fees will make it much more likely for a lawyer to take cases with comparatively small monetary damages and make bicyclists far more likely to pursue civil suits when they are threatened, harassed, or assaulted.

Doesn’t Preclude Criminal Charges

Another important point to keep in mind is that nothing in this ordinance precludes bringing criminal charges against a harassing or assaulting driver. Rather than replacing any existing laws, this ordinance provides an additional supplement to help bicyclists defend themselves.

Thank you, Los Angeles, for taking the lead on this. Doing so will make it much more likely for a similar ordinance to pass in San Diego.

Local Bike Advocate and Business Owner Assaulted by Motorist

Our friend Jay Porter, owner of renowned farm-to-table restaurants The Linkery and El Take It EZ, was assaulted by a motorist near Golden Hill. Jay's provoking act? He was riding a bike.

On his blog, Jay writes:

He was angry that I was riding my bike in the center of Broadway, slowly and legally, for a couple hundred feet as I prepared to make a left turn onto 25th. In reaction to which, he “buzzed” me with his truck, challenged me to a fight, sought me out after I bravely ran away, found me and attempted to run me down in Sherman Heights (which I evaded by riding onto the sidewalk between some trees), and then threatened to kill me while shoving me into an alcove, as I (and at least one other bystander) called 911. My 911 call, for what it’s worth, went to CHP voicemail. (I was later told this is how the calls are routed from places close to the freeway.)

Then the dude drove away….only to circle back a few minutes later and tell me I’d better watch my back.

This violent perpetrator and bigot belongs in jail. He's a timebomb.

The perp is described as a white male w/ a red beard in his 30s who was driving a white 1997 Nissan pick-up truck license plate # 5R23007. A search showed that the car is registered to someone who lives in the Azalea Park neighborhood of City Heights. Don't hesitate to call 911 if you encounter him and if you feel threatened. Report him so he'll end up like this:


Road Rage Dr. Thompson, who used violence against innocent cyclists, is in prison for five years.

A Week of Carnage: Two Cyclists Killed, Dozens of Peds Injured by "Professional" Motorists

In the span of one week, two cyclists were killed and three dozens of pedestrians outside of a nightclub were hospitalized. All three of the horrific instances were the results of the actions of three "professional" motorists--a truck driver, a street sweeper driver, and a taxi cab driver.

1. On February 5, a cyclist, Ben Acree, was struck from behind and crushed to death by a large moving truck on Friars Rd., one of the most dangerous roads for cyclists in SD. Even though the cyclist was struck from behind, the police officer who commented on the tragedy claimed that the cyclist violated the truck's right of way. This notion contradicts w/ the 'first come, first serve' traffic principle. Approaching traffic must yield to the road user before him or her. Why was this principle suddenly suspended when a cyclist was struck from behind? If the person struck from behind was a motorist rather than a cyclist, who do you think the officer would have placed the blame on?

The bias doesn't end there: The NBC San Diego article on this tragedy states 'Acree was traveling east on Friars Road when police say, for unknown reasons, he collided with a box truck as the truck exited the north bound I-15 off ramp going east on Friars Road' [bold emphasis added].

By claiming that 'he collided' w/ the truck rather saying that 'the driver collided w/ the cyclist' the implication is that the cyclist was the agent in charge of his own death. A more appropriate, non-biased wording would be 'the cyclist and the truck driver collided.'

Source: Cyclist Killed in Fatal Accident Id'd | NBC San Diego

(Photo by NBC San Diego).

While we maintain that, based on what we know, the driver--a professional--should have slowed and yielded when he saw Mr. Acree and his friend riding, it's also true that this area is dangerous by design. The truck driver exited the I-15 freeway and merged onto Friars Rd., a high speed road. There is no traffic control device requiring the truck driver, or any other motorist for that matter, to stop before entering Friars.


2. A week later, a Bike Coalition member, Suntat "Sunny" Peverley, was riding in the bike lane on Genessee Avenue when he was struck from behind by a man driving a privately-owned street sweeper. The 77-year-old street sweeper driver apparently fell asleep at the wheel (at 5:20pm). Sunny was flung from his bike and died from major blunt force to the head.


(Sunny--An innocent victim killed by a negligent driver).

Sunny, a lab technician for UCSD Medical Center, leaves behind a 7-year-old daughter and a high school son.

In both of the crashes, the cyclists were wearing helmets.


3. Later on that night (technically early morning the next day) a taxi driver plowed into three dozens of people outside of the Stingaree night club downtown, sending at 25 to the hospital.


(Photo by NBC San Diego).

The driver admits to falling asleep at the wheel after taking two anti-depressants, including one new medication, on an empty stomach. Taking new medication on an empty stomach while being tired and driving a car in the most populated area in San Diego county at that time of the day is not "accidental."

Why is mainstream America so quick to label so many preventable tragedies as 'accidents'? There are explanations for every 'accident,' more correctly known as 'crashes.' There's a difference between a crash borne out of an accident (like you run over a pebble and it shoots out to the side hitting someone randomly causing them to lose control and crash) and a crash borne out of negligence (like you're really tired but you take some new drugs on an empty stomach anyways and keep driving around thousands of vulnerable pedestrians rather than pulling over and napping).

One of the victims may have to have her leg amputated.

Shouldn't we expect more from "professional" drivers? What can be done to prevent such horrific incidences in the future? There are two main solutions that probably could have prevented this carnage:

-Strict Liability: Under Strict Liability a motorist involved in a crash w/ a vulnerable road user (such as a cyclist) is assumed to be guilty and must prove how he/she could NOT have prevented the crash from happening.

It's reasonable to assume that under the Strict Liability law, drivers would drive far more cautiously. Doing so would create a safer and more pleasant society for all road users; cyclists, other motorists, pedestrians, the disabled, the elderly, and children.

-Another solution is urban planning and road engineering that considers ALL users. One cyclist named Dan Guiterrez proposes a relatively inexpensive solution at the Friars Rd. and I-15 merge that would make this area safer cyclists:



A traffic engineering liaison for the California Association of Bicycling Organizations points out that 'the existing design assumes that traffic on the ramp is only merging with traffic on the through highway and does not recognize that traffic on the ramp is also potentially crossing a line of bicyclists riding at the edge of the road.' Mr. Guiterrez's "dotted" markings along the lane drop aim to eliminate that problem by communicating to motorists that they may be merging w/ bike traffic in addition to auto traffic.

How many cyclists and pedestrians must die before we learn from our mistakes as a society and work to make roads safer for all?

Bike Coalition Executive Director Kathy Keehan Steps Down

Kathy Keehan, who served as the Executive Director of the SD County Bike Coalition for 11 years, has stepped down to accept a job at the Air Pollution Control District. Kathy was one of the most dynamic bike advocates in town. She understood all cyclists' points-of-view, remained posi-core throughout her career, and was never afraid to speak her mind. Kathy had mic control. She will be missed.

Jim Baross will be acting as Interim Executive Director until a long-term candidate is selected.

Awarewolfs Full Moon Ride Next Friday, Feb. 18

The organizers of this ride have decided to meet at 10pm (same spot) instead of midnight. Please let interested friends know. Note that the updated flier now appears above.

Wednesday Nite: "In Memory of Bike Prom" Queer Dance Party

If Kaya and Corrina aka Metal Unicorn and friends are throwing a dance party, you know it ain't gonna be no joke!

...And if I may:

Tomorrow: Punk Rock Mountain Bike Ride at Mission Trails!

Part 2 of the Punk Rock Mountain Bike Rider was amazing and super refreshing! Felt so good to be shredding trails in the kut! Was really looking for something different, too. Just what I needed. If you missed it, you can join us tomorrow! PRMTB Part 3 will be heading to Mission Trails tomorrow! Meet at Rebecca's at 1pm and then we're gonna mini-road trip it to Mission. All PRMTB Rides meet same place, same time, every other Sunday. In the meantime, here are some photos from the latest ride (i.e. Part 2):




In "The Kut."


Japanther and Swampy collabo spotted! What's more punk than this?!


Jordan bombing rocky drops on his first mountain bike ride ever! Jordan easily had the best quotes of the day--"I never knew this trail was even here!" and "I wanna build up a mountain bike now!" Exploring the gaps in our neighborhood is exactly what this ride is about.

Though, tomorrow we'll be heading to an area that not too many people consider their "neighborhood." We're heading to Mission Trails (as mentioned above). Here's a lil' 20 second trailer filmed at Mission Trails that Aaraon put together. We'll probably encounter some stuff like this tomorrow:

New Film Explores Benefits of Cycling on Parkinson's

A San Diego based Parkinson's advocacy team is directing a film that explores the benefits of cycling on Parkinson's. The film focuses on a man named Larry Smith who has had Parkinson's for over 20 years. Despite that, Larry is staying strong. Though he often needs assistance to walk across a room, Larry can still ride a bike up to 30 miles a day. This summer he'll be riding over 300 miles to speak to groups about the benefits of cycling.

More info at Ride with Larry.

You can add this to the long list of benefits that come from cycling.

Reward Offered for Info on Motorist Who Committed Intentional Vehicular Assault

These stories are disgusting. A motorist in Sonoma County allegedly intentionally struck a cyclist after harassing cyclists on the Gran Fondo for miles. The cyclist is now suffering critical head injuries. This is worse than a 'hit-and-run.' This was intentional. Please forward this message to friends in Sonoma County who may know more:

Send the message that you don’t tolerate the harassment and injury of cyclists…

Help build a $10,000 reward fund to catch the GranFondo hit-and-run driver.

Together, we’ve already raised $3,000 toward our $10,000 goal.

You can donate quickly and securely now at www.Bikesonoma.org.

Here’s a great article about the reward fund: http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/reward-to-find-king-ridge-granfondo-hit-and-run-driver--29108

Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition and
Levi's Gran Fondo offer reward for information
leading to arrest of the hit-and-run driver.

The community must not tolerate those who
harass and injure cyclists…

Let’s raise $10,000 to make sure
this driver is held accountable

Now is the time:
“The California Highway Patrol has reached a point in this investigation in which all reasonable leads have been exhausted,” says CHP Sergeant Robert Mota. “The CHP needs the public’s help in this investigation. I believe that someone out there has information that could lead to the arrest of the responsible person. The reward money will hopefully entice that person to come forward.”

Think you have information?
Anyone with any information regarding this incident can contact Detective Mike Phennicie or Sergeant Robert Mota at (707)588.1400 during business hours (M-F, 8-5 PST) or at (707) 551.4100 outside of business hours.

Background:
The hit and run occurred on October 9, 2010 in the eastbound lane of Graton Road, approximately 4:15 in the afternoon. Reports consistently describe the offending vehicle as a mid-90s maroon Ford Explorer.

A person or persons in a vehicle matching this description had been harassing cyclists along the GranFondo route from as far away as Coleman Valley Road, both verbally and with his or her vehicle. When the hit and run incident occurred, the cyclist, Anoush Zebarjadian, was struck from behind with the side mirror of the motor vehicle. Zebarjadian was hospitalized in Santa Rosa before being transferred to San Francisco with critical head injuries. While he is expected to make a full recovery, it will be a lengthy and challenging one.

---

Sandra Lupien
Development & Outreach Director
Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition
www.BikeSonoma.org
707-545-0153 (Office)
707-694-8702 (Cell)

The Punk Rock Mountain Bike Ride is here!