Blog

Words of wisdom from one of Charlotte’s friendliest cyclists. And featured stories of interest. Submit yours.

National Bike Challenge Charlotte Awards Event

This entry was posted in Blog Pam's Blog Uncategorized and tagged awards Charlotte Spokes People CSP National Bike Challenge rankings on by

 

 

 
sumposterSaturday, December 17th, we hosted the Charlotte awards and celebration event at Advent Coworking Space.  We had lots of prize packages to award to top riders and to raffle off to everyone who could attend.  It was great seeing and meeting some of the riders that were on the leader board.  I met the guy who beat me by 60 points for #8 on the Charlotte team.  He rides a lot!

We posted full challenge rankings for the Charlotte challenge as well as for the Charlotte Spokes People Team and Crank Mafia.

fullresultsrankings  These are the full results rankings for the Charlotte Challenge.

csprankings  These are the rankings for Team Charlotte Spokes People.  Join our team next year!

2016summary  This is a summary of the Challenge.

Kevin Caldwell spoke briefly about his masters thesis, which will research bike commuting.  Please contact him at kcaldw19@uncc.edu if you can contribute.

img_20161217_201048-01

 

Milton and Sarah awarded the prize packages.

 

A big thank you to the Bike Benefits businesses who donated prizes.

Bicycle Benefits

Bicycle Benefits

  • img_20161217_203137-01Queen City Bicycles
  • Common Market
  • Legion Brewing
  • Birdsong Brewing
  • Brixx Pizza
  • Blue Blaze

img_20161217_203232_1-01

Spring 2016 CSP Newsletter

This entry was posted in Blog Newsletter and tagged newsletter on by


Charlotte

Spokes People Newsletter

April 2016

Special Event:

BIKE! Charlotte and Bike Fest


Bike!Charlotte is from April 29-May17. Almost 3 weeks of events of fun bike stuff culminating up to Bike Fest on Thomas Ave on May 15th. Check the BIKE!Charlotte website (http://bikecharlotte.org/) for details. Keep an eye on our calendar for events throughout the year.


Here are the events we’re hosting:

April 29: 4 – 7 pm: Cycling Savvy Workshop – Day 1 : An adult master class teaching how to drive your bike as a vehicle. Spoke Easy, 1523 Elizabeth Ave.

April 30: 2-5 pm: Cycling Savvy Workshop – Day 2 : bike skills and drills in a closed course. 932 Seigle Ave.

May 1: 1-4 pm; Cycling Savvy Workshop – Day 3: on the road bike tour of Charlotte (Both Class 1,2 prerequisites for Day 3.) Legion Brewing, 1916 Commonwealth Ave.

May 3: 2 – 3 pm: Tues at 2 ride. Advent Coworking, 933 Louise Ave.

May 3: 8 pm: Plaza Midwood Tuesday Night Ride – PMTNR B.O.A.T. Ride: Bikes On A Train! (Meet at 7:30 for safety meeting prior the ride.) Common Market, 2007 Commonwealth Ave.

May 7: 4 – 5 pm: Kidical Mass from Midwood Park

May 8: 2 pm: Sunday Slow Riders – Mother’s Day ride to McGill Rose Garden; Legion Brewing, 1916 Commonwealth Ave.

May 10: 2 – 3 pm: Tues at 2 ride. Advent Coworking, 933 Louise Ave.

May 10: 8 pm: Plaza Midwood Tuesday Night Ride to Charlotte Cycles (Meet at 7:30 for safety meeting prior the ride.) Common Market, 2007 Commonwealth Ave.

May 15: 12-5 pm; BikeFest: Come enjoy this open street festival in Plaza Midwood! Events include Bike swap, Bike Drive for Trips for Kids Charlotte, a Kids Bicycle Roadeo, Bike races – cargo challenge, snail race, track stand challenge, kids crafts and activities, Panel discussions on bike camping, social rides, commuting, Cycling Savvy. 1400 – 2000 Thomas Ave. (behind Zada Jane’s)

May 15: 12:30: Kids Bike and Pet Parade; depart at at 12:45 PM. The Vine, 2101 Belvedere Ave.

Upcoming Event

BikeFest

BikeFest is the original open streets event in Charlotte! This will be the 6th year. Come out and celebrate all things bike. Pump up your tires and enjoy Thomas Avenue free of cars. Volunteers are needed. Email pamlikestobike@gmail.com to help out.

For more details about BikeFest, click here.

 

About Cycling Savvy

Cycling Savvy is a three-day workshop teaching traffic skills and crash avoidance strategies. Workshops are scheduled monthly in Charlotte, and there will be a workshops on April 29-May 1, as well as dates in June and July. Check CyclingSavvy.org for details.

Quotes from Cycling Savvy students:

“Before taking this class, I had been bike commuting 3-5 times a week for a few years, and felt quite confident about my abilities to ride on the road. But since taking it, my confidence has soared and I have learned a ton about different traffic situations and how to be communicate with motorists. I now have more space and far more positive interactions with motorists I can’t recommend it enough!” – AR

“This class was great! My confidence on the road skyrocketed. If you ride or want to – you should look into this. I was in class with triathletes and daily bike commuters. Everyone learns something!!” – CW

“I have never felt such a sense of equality biking in traffic. Thanks for keeping me and other students safe!” – GF

Cycling Savvy scholarships are available for those in need. Scholarships are funded by CLT Spokes People and Charlotte Bike Benefits. Support local businesses and help to support Cycling Savvy scholarships through the purchase of helmet stickers. New this year are Cycling Savvy helmet stickers, which also support scholarships. Last year CLT Spokes People funded 12 Cycling Savvy scholarships. Please email Pam at pamlikestobike@gmail.com for details about scholarships.

 

National Bike Challenge, 2016 Edition


The National Bike Challenge starts May 1 and goes through September. Sign up for the Challenge and join the Charlotte Spokes People team! Help us get Charlotte on the leaderboard again. Last year, we were in the Top 20 cities based on Challenge points. Let’s show the nation that Charlotte is a great place to bike!  

Click here to join our team: Charlotte Spokes People. http://cltspok.es/winNBC, and come ride with us three times a week:

  • Tuesdays at 2 from Advent Coworking (932 Louise Ave.)
  • Tuesdays at 8 from Common Market Plaza Midwood
  • Sundays at 2 from Legion Brewing.

Bike Benefit Bingo

 Bike Benefit Bingo is returning from May 1st until the 15th. Get your cards at the Advent ride, PMTNR, or Sunday Slow Ride. Some cards also available at some participating locations including Rhino Market, Three Spirits, Queen City Bicycles, Spoke Easy. Suggested donation of $1 goes towards Cycling Savvy scholarships. 

How to play:

Ride your bike to the participating locations and get your card stamped.

How to win:

Bingo players can email finished cards to pamlikestobike@gmail.com before May 15 or drop them off at BikeFest on Sunday, May 15 from 12-5 on Thomas Ave., behind Zada Jane’s. Look for the CLT Spokes People / Bike Benefits / Cycling Savvy table.

New Bike Benefits Businesses

  • Pure Pizza – Central Ave.
  • CLTCH
  • Camille’s Sidewalk Café
  • Tip Top Daily Market
  • Red Clay Cidery
  • Codescape
  • Legion Brewing
  • Bulldog Beer and Wine – South End
  • House of Lemond
  • The Broken Spoke
  • Cast Iron Waffles – South Park & Ballantyne
  • Powderly/Vuchnich CPA
  • One Life Raw Juice Bar
  • Three Spirits Brewery
  • Pasta & Provisions on Park
  • Dr. Tony Peters
  • Abari
  • Nothing Bundt Cakes
  • Sabor – NoDa
  • Sharon Luggage – both locations
  • Inner Peaks – both locations
  • First Ward Beverage

Check out the pocket list (http://cltspok.es/CLTpocketList) on the Bike Benefits website for the full list of businesses and offers. We are the largest program in the country! Support local. Ride your bike for your benefits.

PMTNR

Come ride the Plaza Midwood Tuesday Night Ride. We ride every week at 8 pm from Common Market. The ride is never canceled. Meet your neighbors, ride on the quiet streets of Charlotte at night, discover new Bike Benefits businesses. Support local businesses.

As a refresher, here are the Rules of the Ride:

  • Don’t pass the leader.
  • Ride in one lane.
  • Obey all traffic signals.
  • Communicate.
  • Be prepared to stop at all times.

Upcoming Events

  • Bike!Charlotte is 4/29-5/15
  • PMTNR Bikes on a Train ride is 5/3/16
  • BikeFest is May 15 on Thomas Ave in Plaza Midwood

Contact Us

https://cltspokespeople.org/

CLTSpokesPeople@gmail.com

Please share this newsletter, and as always…

Come ride with us!

Winter 2015/2016 CSP Newsletter

This entry was posted in Blog Newsletter and tagged newsletter on by


 Charlotte

 Spokes People Newsletter


Special Event:

Bikes vs. Cars Documentary Showing

The CLT Spokes People ensured a strong start to 2016 by hosting a showing of Bikes vs. Cars, a provocative documentary that is generating a lot of discussion, here in Charlotte. Many of us rode to the showing in freezing temperatures, making an impression on the other moviegoers! We’ll be posting about the film on the Spokes People blog. See the first installment here.

 

Featured Ride:

Bicycle Fridays at Park Road Montessori

Last year, CLT Spokes Person Bethanie Johnson started a Bicycle Friday ride at Park Road Montessori. Since then, students, teachers, and parents have gathered to ride their bikes together almost every week. According to Bethanie,

This winter we’re averaging between 8 and fifteen riders, but in the nice months we’ve averaged 18 per week. I think our highest number (for bike/walk to school), was around 30 children–add in adults between 40 and 45. We joke with the kids about the “chance of donuts.” As in, “There’s a 70 percent chance of donuts on tomorrow’s ride.” I sometimes make them, or my co-leader springs for donuts. We’ve had some great parent support, and one parent told me last week it’s the only day her son gets up on his own, “because I have to ride my bike today!” Dick Winters has been on several of the rides and is cooperating with CMS to get new bike racks installed at our school. We’re very excited about that. Trips For Kids ran a booth with us at the fall picnic, and I’ve encouraged parents to get replacement bicycles at the Recyclery because children are always growing out of bikes.

12670095_10208469557045692_3295094498068533861_n

These kids are the next generation of cyclists!

 

2015 In Review:

PMTNR Recap

Since April 2013, over 10,000 people have ridden PMTNR. We ride every week, and the ride is never cancelled. Sometimes a dozen people ride; sometimes, it’s more than a hundred. Come out for some fun riding your bike, exploring hidden neighborhoods, and discovering great Bike Benefits businesses with us. PMTNR was also mentioned in various publications in 2015. I think the Charlotte Agenda article captured the spirit of the ride best. Click here to read their story.

Largest PMTNR in 2015: 150 riders to Goodyear Skyline Artists exhibit with King of Pops on August 25th.

Smallest PMTNR in 2015: Eight riders in the rain on October 27th.

We always have fun. Thanks for riding with us.

Bicycle Benefits

The Charlotte Bike Benefits program continues to grow.  We are fortunate to have so many bike-friendly destinations and so many businesses that support bike riding.  With 156 participating locations, the Charlotte program is the largest in the nation. This year we introduced Bike Bingo to introduce and highlight Bike Benefits businesses. Bike Bingo ran from May-Oct during the National Bike Challenge.

Ride your bike for your benefits! Here are the last 10 businesses to join the program:

  • Powderly / Vuchnich CPA
  • Cast Iron Waffles – South Park
  • Cast Iron Waffles – Piedmont Row
  • The Broken Spoke
  • House of Lemond
  • Bulldog Beer and Wine – South End
  • Legion Brewing Co.
  • Codescape
  • Red Clay Cidery
  • Tip Top Daily Market
  • Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe
  • CLTCH
  • Pure Pizza – Central Ave.
  • Law office of David Demers

To see a full list of participating business, print off a pocket list.

Cycling Savvy

In 2015, Charlotte has held 10 classes with about 60 students completing the bike workshop. This makes Charlotte the fastest-growing Cycling Savvy location. For those who don’t know, Cycling Savvy is a three-day workshop that helps people learn how to recognize and handle traffic situations to safely and comfortably ride on any road:

  • Day 1: Classroom presentation – bicycle law and safety strategies
  • Day 2: On-bike skills – inside, closed course
  • Day 3: Bike ride of Charlotte.

There will be more Savvy Cyclists in Charlotte’s future.

The next Cycling Savvy class is March 11-13! Take the first step toward confidence to ride your bike anywhere by visiting register.cyclingsavvy.org/groups/north-carolina to sign up.

Upcoming Events

Save these dates!  Mark your calendars!

  • Cycling Savvy Feb 5-7, March 11-13, Apr 29 – May 1
  • Bike!Charlotte is 4/29-5/15
  • PMTNR Bikes on a Train ride is 5/3/16
  • BikeFest is May 15 on Thomas Ave in Plaza Midwood

Please subscribe so you can keep up to date and help us continue to improve your biking in Charlotte


Contact Us

https://cltspokespeople.org/

CLTSpokesPeople@gmail.com

Please share this newsletter, and as always…

Come ride with us!

Bikes vs. Cars: CLT Spokes People Reactions

This entry was posted in Blog and tagged Bikes Vs. Cars movie screening on by

bikesvscars

On Monday, January 18, CLT Spokes People hosted a screening of Bikes vs. Cars in Charlotte. 125 of 146 seats were sold, and about 11 people rode bikes to the screening.  Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket and helped bring the documentary to Charlotte. The patrons who were there for other movies noticed and commented on the number of cyclists arriving at once. Most people I spoke to seemed to enjoy the movie. Bikes vs. Cars was a provocative film, with strengths and weaknesses noted by the attendees, and I’m glad we all got to watch the movie together.  My intention was to help spur a dialog about how we can all help each other ride more and support riders in our effort to make bike riding a normal and expected daily occurrence.

The following are some comments (lightly edited for clarity and brevity) shared by people who saw the film. These are examples of the lively and thoughtful dialog among Charlotte bicyclists!

 

Join the dialog by sharing your comments with us at: pamlikestobike@gmail.com.

If you missed the showing, you can watch Bikes Vs. Cars online on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/bikesvscars.

Bottom line: We all win when people ride bikes.  

Lexi Watt: “You own a car, not the street. The street belongs to all of us. It’s not war. It’s a city.” –Bikes vs. Cars. Thank you Pamela Murray and Ryan Stachurski for promoting this film showing. The worldwide bike community is an eclectic, beautiful one. Hope to see it grow….  It’s nice to see bikes acknowledged, in some capacity or another, as a solution. As a way of life.”

Pamela Murray: “Bikes are a solution and a way for me and many others. It’s great to see so many at the movie.”

Stephen Gilbert: “I’ll say Charlotte’s got more work to do towards improving bike transportation, but wow, I can’t even imagine living in San Paolo or LA.”

Amanda Jill: “Charlotte is at a critical point in its development. The population is growing rapidly and if Charlotte wanted to do it, it could become the bike capital of the US. Weather works in its favor and people are active here. I think many would come to enjoy bike commuting if we had some great elevated trails like the old one in LA in the movie. Charlotte simply isn’t laid out for cars. (As obviously the best laid cities can’t keep up). I hope the bike movement is embraced. Keep riding. Every time you ride you help spread the word that streets are for people and that includes people on bikes! They didn’t even discuss how biking fights obesity and improves mental health! Lower health care costs no matter who gets elected! Ride ride ride!”

James Coleman: “Wonderful film. Should be required viewing for all government officials.”

Kristina Blake: “I’d love to see LA refurbish and open parts of that bike highway back up. Charlotte may not be known as the best cycling city, but we’re ooodles ahead of some of what we saw tonight.”

Amanda Jill: “Charlotte has a dedicated community. We actually came in 20th place in the country in the national bike change last year, a competition where individuals log their miles and represent their city. The competition starts in May if you would like to participate in 2016! smile emoticon www.nationalbikechallenge.org This is one way to have a voice and show our nation that Charlotte bikes! Join the Charlotte Spokes People team if you choose to sign up to get in on our local competition as well.”

Steve Doolittle: “Thanks Ryan…..makes one reflect on the global crisis we are all headed toward as the number of cars on the planet doubles….and as gas prices plummet encouraging even more driving…..”

Christine Weber: “Best comment i heard ‘I learned that there’s a Pamela Murray in every city.'”

Kim Brown: “My takeaway was that cities should install a complex series of tightropes to ease car traffic congestion.”

Trudy N. York: “Had a great time. I found it very informative! ?”

Todd Blake: “My overarching takeaway was that any under-represented group within a society needs to represent themselves in order to affect change. The folks São Paulo had to do that and at one point even commented that they needed to get organized. Though my wife and I agreed the change that happened may have been partially been due to the fact that the government feared being in a documentary.”

Kar In: “Thank you Spokes People!. 1) good movie – I was pumped after: wild (riding) characters, interesting histories, messy cities; 2) after sleeping over it: extremes were exposed; after soaking those up, I am eager to know how the DCs, the Portlands, the Viennas, and Paris’ are doing it. 3) Applied to Charlotte: yes, we are a city hitting adolescence: there is potential here, and I didn’t become US citizen because I thought every elected official was trapped in the Koch Brother lasso, but because citizens can work constructively with them (which I am crossing my fingers for with HB232). Compared to other cities CLT advocacy is small in numbers, but persistent and on the right path. I don’t think there is a war and definitely not with the car industry but if there is an industry that needs education it is DEVELOPERS – we have to get our elected officials to make them act according to smart planning ordinances 4) re: “organized” as an advocacy group – I think in the movie when the group sporadically protested in front of the mayor’s house on Sunday after the disgusting accident, it was in order – they were under shock and just did what their humanity told them to; I also think it had an impact: the mayor send down his son (their age) and let them talk out their emotion. Soon after, Sao Paolo got bike lanes although previously the city council said it was “very difficult”. Not saying CLT bike advocates don’t need to be organized, but occasional outrage is ok. Otherwise constructive dialogue with decision makers is better.”

 

Stay tuned for the CLT Spokes People review of the Bikes vs. Cars film!

-Pam12540866_10153503352891559_7576050631577115311_n

Cranksgiving 2015: Results and Pictures

This entry was posted in Blog Cranksgiving Sunday Slow Riders and tagged community cranksgiving Sunday Slow Riders on by

Cranksgiving Winners: Tate, Grace, Shelly, Carl, and Andy

We’ve had a rainy fall here in Charlotte, but on Sunday, November 8, the clouds mostly parted, and 24 riders set out on their bikes for the fourth annual Charlotte Cranksgiving—the third Cranksgiving hosted by Charlotte Spokes People. Altogether, the participants brought back 660.9 pounds of food on their bikes to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank. Additionally, we received $48.72 of donations, purchasing a further 341 pounds of food for a total 1,000 pounds!

All of our riders’ contributions were invaluable, but we did have some winners who earned prizes from our sponsors:

  • Top Team: Tate, Grace, Andy, and Shelly with 268.4 lbs
  • 2nd Place Team: MFB (Mighty Fine Bikes) with 109.5 lbs
  • 3rd Place Team: Rascio family with 101.3 lbs
  • Top Individual: Carl with 65.2 lbs

Thanks to Amanda and Bethanie for officiating!

Thanks also to our Cranksgiving sponsors for their generous prize donations!

See photos of the event below and come ride with us next year! Our goal next year is to collect 2,000 pounds of food – literally, a TON of food.


Gratitude

This entry was posted in Blog Uncategorized on by

It’s fitting that it’s November and this article (Charlotte Agenda article Nov 2015) popped up on the CLT Spokes People facebook page.  It was posted by awesome Christine.  I’m thankful that people are enjoying the Tues. Night Ride as much as I am.  And I am thankful there are so many people who come together to help plan the ride, help lead, sweep, run Glympse, help lead, make the safety announcements, mark turns.  We all work together to make the ride work and enjoyable for all.  We’re all so busy planning the next ride, the next event, etc that I haven’t had time to work on posting the mission statement, etc.  I’m too busy riding.  But I did want to stop and thank each person who comes to ride and to each person who helps in some way each week.  Let’s keep riding.  It’s nice to be noticed for the good work we’re doing.  Pile on some layers and keep riding with me through the cold.tonycamsnow

By the way, Sunday Nov. 8th is Cranksgiving, a food drive on bikes.  Join us at Okra at 1:30 (registration).  Ride starts at 2 pm.

 

Charlotte is #20

This entry was posted in Blog on by

The local challenge of the National Bike Challenge just ended midnight last night.  I’ve been tallying up the results and stats.  Charlotte made it to the Top 20!  Wow.  We’ve come a long way.Screenshot from 2015-10-01 14:05:01

History:

I first found out about the National Bike Challenge from David Spranger, my bike hero.  He is always on the leading edge of all things bike to me.  I saw him post about it on facebook.  In 2012, I started the CLT Spokes People team and recruited David and 6 other bike heros of mine.  In 2013, I signed up to manage the local challenge in hopes of getting more people involved.  I remember looking once and seeing Charlotte ranked 59th.  I managed the challenge in 2014 with the Bart Stetler of Queen City Bicycles.  2015 Bart and Pel Deal of Crank Mafia Social Club joined in to help.  And last night we managed to get on the Leader Board in 20th place for Charlotte.

 

Charlotte 2012 2013 2014 2015
Riders 7 12 248 479
Points 311,344 401,482
Miles 12,638 15,184 142,404 179,762
CLT Spokes People
Riders 7 12 66 135
Points 123,079 150,189
Miles 9,022 11,703 55,599 67,329
Crank Mafia
Riders 78 128
Points 119,471 162,191
Miles 56,078 68,171

Screenshot from 2015-10-01 14:05:30

 

 

 

The National Bike Challenge – Charlotte celebration will take place Thursday October  15th at Birdsong Brewing from 7-8 pm.  Join Bart at Queen City Bicycles at 6:30 to ride over.  There will be a ride afterwards as well.

Now, let’s keep riding.  Let’s see who can ride every day until the end of the year.  I hope to see you out riding.

Note: The Challenge used to run from May through August.  In 2014 the Challenge was extended through Sept.  Some numbers have been estimated.

In honor of Al P. Gorman

This entry was posted in Blog Pam's Blog and tagged Charlotte Plaza Midwood on by

I must admit, I never personally knew Al.  Everyone always saw him riding his bike around Plaza Midwood.  This is a picture from July 4th, 2015 that my daughter took of Al as he rode down The Plaza.  As you can see he was on his way home from Harris Teeter.  He rode his bike everyday.  Just as many of us do.  Slow down, pay attention and put down the phone.  Rest in peace, Al.

alcd

Bike Lanes Are A Bust For This Cyclist

This entry was posted in Blog on by
by Dave Roberts
There used to be a time when I loved sprinting down East Boulevard aiming to time the lights so that my exodus from Uptown would be quick and have off to much more peaceful riding home. It was a guilty pleasure to shoot past so many cars stuck in stop-and-go traffic. I had a nice wide lane, seldom used, stretching for several miles. I was supposed to be here and it was safe.
The first incident quickly made me realize that people totally forget that bike lanes are there. Just because cars are stopped doesn’t mean the bike lane is jammed too. As I came rolling up to an intersection someone who had grown tired of waiting for traffic to move took an opportunity to pull a hard right into Dilworth. I barely had time to react but I managed to stop and avoided a collision. I’m certain the driver never knew I was there. I carried on.
The second incident affirmed the first and established a theme. A driver pulling left on to East from a side street swung their vehicle very wide and way into the bike lane just as I was approaching the same spot. There was about a foot left for me to use but I managed. The close proximity gave me a chance to smack the truck’s doors hard enough to truly frighten the driver into slamming on the brakes. I carried on — shaking my head.
The third incident established once and for all that riding on East Blvd in the bike lane was pretty risky. It was the Friday before Memorial Day 2014 and traffic was very light due to the holiday. I zoomed through the green light at Scott Avenue picking up a good amount of speed. I noticed a car in front of me slowing down but no turn signal was blinking. I thought, “probably lost or on their phone,” so I backed off a teensy bit. This continued for several blocks and caused other cars to catch up and build-up behind.  After passing Cumberland Avenue the car drifted a little on to the white line of the bike lane — which caught my attention — but still no turn signal. I began to prepare for a much slower descent down the hill because of this driver.
Then it happened… the driver made a hard turn into the Showmars parking, still no signal, and after my attempts to brake without flipping over the bike — all while yelling for the driver to stop —  I slammed into the car and went down. Luckily no part of me — or the bike —  ended up under the vehicle. My head did hit the pavement but the helmet did it’s job well and I buy good gear.
All I could hear was the thudding of my heart in my ears as the driver asked me if I was OK over and over again. He was very shocked and scared but courteous to me as I looked for damage first on myself and then on the bike. I wanted to yell at him but quelled that urge. Anger would not make this accident go away. I escaped without road rash but knew that I had hit the car very hard, bracing against it with my left arm before slamming against the pavement onto my left thigh. Parts of me were a little numb but I could move and there was no blood gushing everywhere. What a relief.
With all the adrenaline pumping I felt OK. I got the driver’s number and assured him and the other bystanders that it was likely I could ride home. But I couldn’t. Once I mounted the bike and tried to put any weight on the left arm the pain made me see stars. I would later learn at the urgent care that I had a radial head fracture. My elbow was broken. I was off the bike for more than 2 months and it took another 2 to rebuild my strength and stamina. I had lost a Summer of riding. What a real bummer.
So… bike lanes don’t really do much for me now. I’m extremely wary when I use them and I don’t feel safe. There are no guarantees that a driver will pay attention to the lane or its occupants. Also, the lanes are constructed in such a way that vehicles aren’t prevented from entering them. To me, this just means that the road is a little wider, there are some markings laid out that folks should notice but the cyclist is never safe. I may as well ride in the road where I can be seen both as a cyclist — and a true obstruction — and not be forgotten about until it’s far too late.

Call for Assistance

This entry was posted in Blog on by

I’m sharing this message from Stacy Williams Dugan regarding Bethanie Johnson.
” Bethanie was hit by a car while riding her bike home last night [Thursday]. She is ok, home and resting but needs support. A link has been created to help with meals and assist in any monetary way possible (link in comments)….please share but use this one link so we have a central location. Reach out to me if you’d like to help in another way, too. Thank you! Blessed to have a strong tribe that will surround her now ?”

 

Here is the link if you are able to help out with meals: SignUpGenius

And here is a fundraising link for Bethanie: http://cltspok.es/BethanieGive