-----Original Message-----

Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2005 3:02 PM

To: usctri@yahoogroups.com

Subject: [usctri] Digest Number 2

Message: 1

Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2005 21:39:58 -0700

From: "Matt Armstrong" <matt@...>

Subject: RE: Cycling on PCH

First off, congratulations to all those who raced the LA Triathlon yesterday. Well done! For those who did a triathlon for the first time, hopefully the bug bit deep because the sport is really fun, plus misery loves company!

On a serious note, there were two cyclists killed on PCH yesterday. Below are a few email from the La Grange club email on the subject. The first is the most comprehensive description we have right now. One was a local resident with family who hung out at Peet's w/ his dog, Kona. The other rider was apparently a scientist at HRL, the lab near Pepperdine on Malibu Canyon Road. As you'll see by the message below, the riders were riding 'legally'. An earlier report had the driver of the catering truck (who was chased down by other motorists) apparently unaware he'd struck the cyclists and was alleged to have fallen asleep. Regardless of whether his story changed or the "sleep" story was errorneous, two cyclists were killed.

Give a moment to think about these riders and their families and their dogs.

Ride safe and defensively out there. Remember to wear your helmet. Most of all, remember that no matter how safe of a rider you think YOU are, there is somebody out there who may be taking you out regardless of your actions.

Matt Armstrong

_____

From: VeloClubLaGrange@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 4:55 PM

To: VeloClubLaGrange@yahoogroups.com

Subject: [VeloClubLaGrange] PCH and Senator Kuehl's Office

Laurie Newman, District Deputy for Sen. Kuehl just called and told me what she has learned. She is still working the preliminaries of this case. She talked to representatives from Caltrans, L.A. County Sheriff, and the CHP.

Report from the Sheriff and CHP indicate both riders were in the car lane. She reported that complete fault is currently assigned to catering truck driver as the cyclists were legally "in" the car lane (taking the lane --sharing the road) as the law enables and allows when the highway shoulder is obstructed. Upon being interviewed by CHP and Sheriff deputies, the driver claimed the reason he could not "hit the brakes" was "because the crew was busy cooking in the back of the truck." (Oh Lord!)

Caltrans and the Sheriff both claim there IS a warning sign prior to the dividers that informs drivers the shoulder ahead is closed to traffic. The dividers are "reportedly" placed in thier current position, conforming to Caltrans requirements.

Laurie and the office will be making an on-site investigation tomorrow or Wednesday and will provide more details including whether the dividers' positioning actually conforms to Caltrans safety regulation -- and whether more or other warning signs are needed.

Thanks to those of you who are working other angles of this and talking to other agencies. Again, I encourage any of you want to speak with Laurie, please call her (310-441-9084) and simply share what you know or ideas of what you may think will make this zone more safe for everyone. Laurie appears very open minded -- asks for suggestions -- and is not the least dogmatic that because something "conforms to regulations" that it means it addresses or covers all the real needs!

Ride safely,

Jeffrey

_____

From: VeloClubLaGrange@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 8:21 PM

To: VCLGW

Subject: [VeloClubLaGrange] Website for safety tips for riding in traffic

For anyone (particularly newer riders) interested in reading some articles about riding safely in traffic, check out the articles listed at:

Sadly and ironically, the author of these articles, the well known bicycle safety expert and bicycle advocate Ken Kifer, was himself hit by a drunk driver and killed a few years ago while riding his bike - - but that doesn't mean that his articles aren't worth reading.

Simnsez8@... wrote:

To: lee.dribin@..., VeloClubLaGrange@yahoogroups.com

From: Simnsez8@...

Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2005 21:55:39 -0400

Subject: Re: [VeloClubLaGrange] Areas where cyclists are forced to ride in the traffic lane..

Lee - everything you say is absolutely correct. However, those of us who have been working on improving the safety of the roads for cyclists have learned that we are not exactly high on the list of priorities for traffic planners and road construction designers. The automobile rules in this area and we are not even a poor second class citizen (maybe fourth).

But, what we have found is that when we come at these agencies as a group we can make a difference. Our work with LADOT has netted great results for improving Sepulveda Blvd. (the new plan will begin construction in late 2006). Tackling PCH is a much bigger problem. It is a major State Hwy. and funds are very limited for constructing bike lanes.

One thing we might want to do is take the time as a club to put our more information about safe riding practices. I think our ego's will say "I'm a safe rider and know what I'm doing" but the truth is we all take chances we shouldn't some times. No matter how good well we handle a bike the car is going to win 100% of the time if we make a mistake or challenge them.

Is it the job of the Board or a Safety Committee or some sort to hold skills sessions for safe riding? We hold them for handling for riding in a peleton etc. why not for safety training.

Something for everyone to think about while this tragedy is still on all of our minds.

Jay

-----Original Message-----

From: lee dribin

To: VeloClubLaGrange@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Tue, 13 Sep 2005 01:36:04 -0000

Subject: [VeloClubLaGrange] Areas where cyclists are forced to ride in the traffic lane...

Those k-rails have been there for more than a year. I remember having to

ride

in traffic

last year when i was riding PCH rather than attending High Holiday services.

Why is the

construction taking so long? Who knows?

But what about the many other points on PCH when we have to ride in the

traffic

lane:

1 -- Just north of Sunset when the shoulder suddenly ends.

2 -- Going north on PCH on the steep hill just before Zuma Beach.

3 -- Going south/east on PCH after Topanga where Cal Trans HAD been working

on

the

hill, but they have disappeared for the last two months.

4 -- The short span just north/west of Gladstones when the shoulder suddenly

disappears.

5 -- The much longer span further south on PCH before Temescal when many of

us

slip

into the parking lot.

6 -- A little further south there is another non-shoulder stretch just

before

the light at

Temescal.

Lauren is correct. It is time that fault be placed not just on the driver of

the vehicle, but

on the organization or the agency that places us in Harm's Way.