Archive for September, 2008

Did you know Kevin Robinson-Barajas?

Posted by Erik on September 12th, 2008 filed in Uncategorized, fatality

More is emerging on this young man. The AZ Star now reports:
Robinson-Barajas was remembered at school Friday as an “affable young man” who was well-liked and had lots of friends. His interests included playing guitar and physics.
His student identification picture describes Kevin perfectly, according to his global studies teacher Robin Batty.
Donning a tie-dye shirt [...]

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Pedaling for Ipod power

Posted by Lauren on September 12th, 2008 filed in Cool bikes

When I spotted this bike-powered Ipod charger, I had to post on it because our friend Mickey is currently attempting to make a homemade version of this device with my wheel that has a generator hub on it. Though I would not encourage people to listen to headphones while riding, this could be attached to [...]

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Not Your Typical Road Obstruction

Posted by Lauren on September 12th, 2008 filed in I am in slack-jawed awe

A bike-commuter from Missoula, Montana was riding to work the other day when he suddenly collided with a 300 pound bear.  Jim Litz, a 57 year-old schoolteacher, stated, “I didn’t have time to respond.  I never even hit my brakes.”  Litz estimates that he was going about 25 mph when the collision occurred.  He T-boned [...]

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Would an “underrun” truck guard have saved Kevin Robinson-Barajas?

Posted by Erik on September 12th, 2008 filed in safety

Portland, anyway, has installed these guards on many city vehicles. As the numbers of bicyclists increase, it may be time to consider these life-saving devices. It can’t be easy as a driver of a long vehicle to always be aware of who is on their right-hand side. They need to be, and [...]

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Tucson sophomore was “right hooked” and pulled under wheel of bus

Posted by Erik on September 12th, 2008 filed in fatality

The AZ Star has an update. The victim was 15-year-old Kevin Robinson-Barajas, who was riding his bicycle to school. He was southbound on Mountain when the bus made a right turn and he was dragged under the rear wheel.
Our consolations to his family and friends. This is such a terrible tragedy for [...]

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Teen bicyclist hit and killed by schoolbus in Tucson

Posted by Erik on September 12th, 2008 filed in fatality

Not much news on it yet, other than this article in the Citizen. Looks like it happened on Mountain Avenue.
–Erik Ryberg

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New bike-safety box at Mountain and Grant

Posted by Erik on September 10th, 2008 filed in Uncategorized, imminent death of car-based culture

I don’t think this is exactly the most dangerous intersection around, but it’s a high traffic one and it just got a little safer thanks to the City of Tucson. It looks good!
Here’s the message about it I got from Tom Thivener today:
This morning TDOT installed the region’s first green thermoplastic bike lane at [...]

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“Yesterday’s fashion statement” takes a tumble in one of its biggest markets

Posted by Erik on September 10th, 2008 filed in imminent death of car-based culture

One of the country’s biggest Hummer dealerships to close, with Hummer sales down nearly 50 percent for the year. It’s the eighth Hummer dealership to close this year.
A symbolic victory, but one to celebrate nonetheless. Thanks Maillotjuine for the link.
-Erik Ryberg

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Another Tucson bicycle fatality

Posted by Erik on September 10th, 2008 filed in fatality

And it was a hit and run. The victim’s name was Kyle Wassenaar. He was 50 years old. The article is here.
He was riding across Mission at West Irvington Place when he was struck by a small red sportscar, which fled the scene.
Our deepest condolences to his friends and family.
–Erik Ryberg

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Cyclist who covered distance from Earth to Moon, Killed in a Hit-and-Run

Posted by Lauren on September 9th, 2008 filed in Uncategorized

Ian Hibell, a famous 74 year-old bicycle tourer, was recently killed by a motorist in Greece that was attempting to race another vehicle. The driver fled the scene and was arrested and charged two days later.
Hibell wrote a book called Into Remote Places that documents his journeys through untraveled areas on all seven continents.  He [...]

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