BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

One can google bicyclist+killed+no+charges+filed, which returns twenty seven million hits, and just start reading.

I also have a google news alert running for "cyclist killed" and a single day doesn't go by when I haven't gotten at least 6 hits

When I google for "Cylist killed" and "no charges filed" in quotes, I get 251 hits, not millions.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22cyclist%20killed%22%20%22no%20charges%20filed%22&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=nw

Still, that represents too much death and not enough law enforcement.

Google doesn't think the word "cyclist" and the word "bicyclist" are the same thing. "Bicyclist" and etc. returns 27 million or so hits.

I'm not suggesting 27,000,000 people have been killed on a bike where the driver has not been charged, but only that there are more pages on the Internet than one could read in several lifetimes describing such things. Many describe the same event, some even talk about cases where charges were filed.

Sticking quotes around it gets rid of tons of otherwise relevant articles, "cyclist was killed", "killed a cyclist", "no charges will be filed", etc. permutations are endless and will all be excluded from your search... The original query will probably give you all those results.

I'm not suggesting 27,000,000 people

Indeed not. There's HUGE, nay COLOSSAL amount of duplication in there. Just for perspective

In 2008, 718 "pedalcyclists" were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes nationwide. Offhand, I don't know how to find out how many drivers were charged though..

http://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Main/index.aspx

@kathi, if he does investigate it, he'll learn that it's true. Maybe he'll even try to do something about it. If he lets you know he's introducing some sort of bill--please let us know. I'll write to my rep to co-sponsor immediately.

I wasn't going to post this originally, but decided to do so after reading this thread. This is another Wisconsin incident involving an experienced cyclist on local roads. He's the 8th Wisconsin cyclist to be killed in 2010. That's 8 too many, in my mind. The reason it seemed relevant here was the reference to sunglare as an "excuse", and the "consideration of charges" against the driver.

The other thing that was noteworthy was that the State of Wisconsin has apparently taken notice of this unfortunate "trend."

From the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel this morning:

Local bicycling leader Jeff Littmann died on Tuesday from the injuries he suffered when a car hit him on a training ride in Waukesha County last week, a spokeswoman at Froedtert Hospital confirmed.

The well-respected racer and owner of Attitude Sports in Pewaukee was riding eastbound on Wisconsin Ave. with Lauren Jensen when a car struck both of them from behind. The driver, Kyle Dieringer, 25, of Nashotah, told sheriff's deputies the bright morning sun blinded him, and he didn't see the bicyclists until after he hit them.

The crash remains under investigation. The Waukesha County district attorney's office will consider possible charges or citations.

Littmann, 56, encouraged and coached dozens of area athletes. He was regarded as a leader and ambassador for the sport, particularly in the Lake Country of Waukesha County. He served as president of the WIsconsin Cycling Association and competed on the Chirpopractic Patners/LAPT team in the road racing series.

In March, Littmann and his wife, Kelly James, opened Attitude Sports. Dozens of cyclists turned out at the shop on Friday night for the grand opening of the fitness area and to console and encourage each other while their friend fought for his life.

Littmann is the eighth bicyclist killed by a motor vehicle in Wisconsin in 2010. The total for 2009 was seven.

The crash involving someone reported to be a skilled and safe rider has prompted a valuable discussion of cycling safety on area roads. Both the State Department of Transportation and the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin have produced safe riding guidelines for bicyclists, and tips for motorists.

"...safe riding guidelines for bicyclists, and tips for motorists."

And even in that, inequity.

Well... I hesitate to add to the dirge, but if you really want to follow all the cyclist fatalities in the English-speaking world:

http://opusthepoet.wordpress.com/

Kathi - Deluca is my rep too. I've sent him emails asking him to co-sponsor transportation bills and amendments and whatnot over the past year, never heard back from him. Don't let him drop it - I'd check in on him to ask for progress. Not daily, but maybe weekly isn't unreasonable. Seriously - you've got his ear.

Please let him know there are plenty of living cyclists in his district who could use his help in remaining so.

Ellie and all......I will not let this drop. He is going to be in Penn Hills on Friday doing

a senior citizens event that I was thinking of dropping in on. ( Can I pass as a senior citizen??) Even if I can't, I am going to try and make it.