Comments on: Another Very Bad Week to Ride a Bike in NYC http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:09:46 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: blindwolf http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/comment-page-1/#comment-1860 blindwolf Mon, 21 Aug 2006 19:55:25 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/#comment-1860 In regards to the individual who asked if John was using brakes, you should be rolled over by a thousand bikes! Seriously, these tin cans with wheels need to be regulated further. Its not a right to drive, its a privilege. Unfortunately, americans are lazy and continue to drive their death boxes with total disregard for the safety of others around them. Maybe, just maybe, we should lobby together and suggest stiffer penalties for people who kill with automobiles. Maybe, drivers will start being more aware of their surrounding instead of their palm pilots, cell phones, food, and liquor when driving. We here in San Francisco have a strong coalition in the city government and are fighting daily to preserve our existnence amongst the metal coffins. We can make life difficult for the automobile slaves by getting out and making things happen, CRITICAL MASS! Sooner or later they will get fed up and will find a way to accomodate us, or they will not get home in time for American Idol. :) I don't suggest doing this but in the city people are known to pop tires on bike lane blockers, bet it helps discourage them from doing it again... In regards to the individual who asked if John was using brakes, you should be rolled over by a thousand bikes! Seriously, these tin cans with wheels need to be regulated further. Its not a right to drive, its a privilege. Unfortunately, americans are lazy and continue to drive their death boxes with total disregard for the safety of others around them. Maybe, just maybe, we should lobby together and suggest stiffer penalties for people who kill with automobiles. Maybe, drivers will start being more aware of their surrounding instead of their palm pilots, cell phones, food, and liquor when driving. We here in San Francisco have a strong coalition in the city government and are fighting daily to preserve our existnence amongst the metal coffins. We can make life difficult for the automobile slaves by getting out and making things happen, CRITICAL MASS! Sooner or later they will get fed up and will find a way to accomodate us, or they will not get home in time for American Idol. :) I don't suggest doing this but in the city people are known to pop tires on bike lane blockers, bet it helps discourage them from doing it again...

]]> By: "Wild" Bill http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/comment-page-1/#comment-1624 "Wild" Bill Fri, 18 Aug 2006 03:20:49 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/#comment-1624 Let me set the record straight for all of you 'bike advocates' Jon Neese was not only one of the best damn messengers in the city but he was always a serious rider when he got on that bike. He never fcuked around. He watched where he was going and always respected peds and cars. He was also one of the best friends that I will ever have. Shame on all of you 'bicycle advocates' blaming the bikers for their own deaths. Ever seen a car obey the laws in NYC. Most don't so kiss my ass. As an 8 year vet and 13 years in the messenger business I can tell you one thing. I didn't survive 8 years on the road by being careless and stupid. I knew and still know what I am doing. Maybe if someone gave a damn then maybe Jon would still be here. Rest in Peace Bronxie....we miss ya!!! Let me set the record straight for all of you 'bike advocates' Jon Neese was not only one of the best damn messengers in the city but he was always a serious rider when he got on that bike. He never fcuked around. He watched where he was going and always respected peds and cars. He was also one of the best friends that I will ever have. Shame on all of you 'bicycle advocates' blaming the bikers for their own deaths. Ever seen a car obey the laws in NYC. Most don't so kiss my ass. As an 8 year vet and 13 years in the messenger business I can tell you one thing. I didn't survive 8 years on the road by being careless and stupid. I knew and still know what I am doing. Maybe if someone gave a damn then maybe Jon would still be here. Rest in Peace Bronxie....we miss ya!!!

]]> By: bo http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/comment-page-1/#comment-1515 bo Wed, 16 Aug 2006 21:19:10 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/#comment-1515 also. yesterday evening around 7 pm a young girl (10-11 y/o) was struck by a minivan at the intersection of Scholes and Leonard. I don't know if she will make it and I didn't actually see the incident, just the aftermath. However, i have a hard time (toby...disaffected) directing blame at a child (laying on the side of the road, bleeding from the nose and mouth due to internal injuries), when well over two thirds of this cities drivers speed with no regard for anyone outside of their own existance. Furthermore it is a shame that we allow our egos and schedules to affect the lives of others to the point of killing them. also. yesterday evening around 7 pm a young girl (10-11 y/o) was struck by a minivan at the intersection of Scholes and Leonard. I don't know if she will make it and I didn't actually see the incident, just the aftermath. However, i have a hard time (toby...disaffected) directing blame at a child (laying on the side of the road, bleeding from the nose and mouth due to internal injuries), when well over two thirds of this cities drivers speed with no regard for anyone outside of their own existance. Furthermore it is a shame that we allow our egos and schedules to affect the lives of others to the point of killing them.

]]> By: ryan the girl http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/comment-page-1/#comment-1455 ryan the girl Tue, 15 Aug 2006 20:59:38 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/#comment-1455 unfortunately, as far as i have seen, charges are never pressed--even when the driver did something illegal--unless the driver is drunk. i have been working with the family of andre anderson, the 14 year old hit and killed last september, and that seems to be the messed up truth of nyc. the family has been approaching everyone from the mayor down to "reopen" the investigation, which was closed 5 minutes after the accident, when a friend of the driver gave the witness report!!!! right now, u wanna kill someone in nyc and get away scott free--do it with a car because ain't nobody gonna care! look at elizabeth padilla--she was doored and then run over. did the guy who doored her even get a summons, let a lone a ticket for something that is clearly against the law--opening a door into oncoming traffic....NO! every single bike death in the last year has the same sad story: no real investigation, no consequesnces for the driver--(except for the killer of Angel Quizpa, who was driving drunk. no nothing from the city, the mayor, the DOT. hell, we dont even know where over half the deaths took place last year. most of the deaths are just a nameless statistic because they didnt make the papers. and the NYPD wont tell........ this isnt just about john....this is about every bike death. we need answers and we need them now! unfortunately, as far as i have seen, charges are never pressed--even when the driver did something illegal--unless the driver is drunk.

i have been working with the family of andre anderson, the 14 year old hit and killed last september, and that seems to be the messed up truth of nyc. the family has been approaching everyone from the mayor down to "reopen" the investigation, which was closed 5 minutes after the accident, when a friend of the driver gave the witness report!!!!

right now, u wanna kill someone in nyc and get away scott free--do it with a car because ain't nobody gonna care!

look at elizabeth padilla--she was doored and then run over. did the guy who doored her even get a summons, let a lone a ticket for something that is clearly against the law--opening a door into oncoming traffic....NO!

every single bike death in the last year has the same sad story: no real investigation, no consequesnces for the driver--(except for the killer of Angel Quizpa, who was driving drunk. no nothing from the city, the mayor, the DOT.

hell, we dont even know where over half the deaths took place last year. most of the deaths are just a nameless statistic because they didnt make the papers. and the NYPD wont tell........

this isnt just about john....this is about every bike death. we need answers and we need them now!

]]> By: Lauren http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/comment-page-1/#comment-1430 Lauren Tue, 15 Aug 2006 13:54:10 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/#comment-1430 no, I agree, I just haven't heard anything about it yet so I'm wondering what's happening. anyone heard? no, I agree, I just haven't heard anything about it yet so I'm wondering what's happening. anyone heard?

]]> By: ashira http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/comment-page-1/#comment-1370 ashira Mon, 14 Aug 2006 21:27:08 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/#comment-1370 why wouldn't charges be pressed? A driver was speeding and now our friend is dead. I don't understand how charges could/would not be pressed. can anyone explain please? why wouldn't charges be pressed?

A driver was speeding and now our friend is dead.

I don't understand how charges could/would not be pressed.

can anyone explain please?

]]> By: Lauren http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/comment-page-1/#comment-1360 Lauren Mon, 14 Aug 2006 18:10:32 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/#comment-1360 I talked to someone at the precinct who said he wasn't drunk and if he was, I would've been contacted immediately. Still trying to find out what's happening with that though, if there are charges being pressed... I talked to someone at the precinct who said he wasn't drunk and if he was, I would've been contacted immediately. Still trying to find out what's happening with that though, if there are charges being pressed...

]]> By: StreetsBlog » Comments Section Highlights http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/comment-page-1/#comment-1287 StreetsBlog » Comments Section Highlights Sun, 13 Aug 2006 23:25:58 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/#comment-1287 [...] JK's comment in Another Very Bad Week to Ride a Bike in NYC: [...] [...] JK's comment in Another Very Bad Week to Ride a Bike in NYC: [...]

]]> By: ck_bk http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/comment-page-1/#comment-1247 ck_bk Sun, 13 Aug 2006 14:01:31 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/#comment-1247 lauren (or anyone else w/info) - did you witness john's accident? if so please contact me at peoplesrepublicofbrooklyn@gmail.com. For the armchair transportation critics out there: John was a PROFESSIONAL cyclist. He was on the street day in and day out for 10 years. He rode thru weather, traffic and street conditions you wouldn't even walk thru. For your edification, john was capable of riding anything with two wheels, but usually rode a modified mountain bike (w/brakes!), as do many, many working messengers. I'm sure John survived more than a few close calls in his day - however, shame on all of you who suggest that he somehow deserves to die or who want to blame the victim b/c he is a cyclist and a messenger. By all reports, the driver of the car that hit john was drunk and speeding. If john was to blame for his injuries then I guess we should all just stay indoors when we are not racing our SUVs from red light to red light. God blessed John and will continue to. Peace. lauren (or anyone else w/info) - did you witness john's accident? if so please contact me at peoplesrepublicofbrooklyn@gmail.com.

For the armchair transportation critics out there: John was a PROFESSIONAL cyclist. He was on the street day in and day out for 10 years. He rode thru weather, traffic and street conditions you wouldn't even walk thru. For your edification, john was capable of riding anything with two wheels, but usually rode a modified mountain bike (w/brakes!), as do many, many working messengers. I'm sure John survived more than a few close calls in his day - however, shame on all of you who suggest that he somehow deserves to die or who want to blame the victim b/c he is a cyclist and a messenger. By all reports, the driver of the car that hit john was drunk and speeding. If john was to blame for his injuries then I guess we should all just stay indoors when we are not racing our SUVs from red light to red light. God blessed John and will continue to. Peace.

]]> By: doodoobrown http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/comment-page-1/#comment-1216 doodoobrown Sun, 13 Aug 2006 00:17:10 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/#comment-1216 Was he obeying the laws?!? Did he have brakes?!? What the FCUK is wrong with you people! Jon is an incredibly experienced rider here in a dangerous urban environment. the way he rides is his business and his business only. For the record, however ive only ever seen Jon ride freewheel with brakes. When someone is hurt it is no time for some "advocates" to come second guessing, i.e. blaming the cyclist just to further their stupid agendas or to seperate said rider from their personal ideology. believe it or not there are those of us who could care less if there were more bike lanes, etc. This is NY and it will suredly always remain a tough place to ride and work. Don't FCUK with the messengers and don't speak for us if we don't ask you too. Bronx Jon, my prayers are with you. Was he obeying the laws?!?
Did he have brakes?!?
What the FCUK is wrong with you people! Jon is an incredibly experienced rider here in a dangerous urban environment. the way he rides is his business and his business only. For the record, however ive only ever seen Jon ride freewheel with brakes. When someone is hurt it is no time for some "advocates" to come second guessing, i.e. blaming the cyclist just to further their stupid agendas or to seperate said rider from their personal ideology. believe it or not there are those of us who could care less if there were more bike lanes, etc. This is NY and it will suredly always remain a tough place to ride and work. Don't FCUK with the messengers and don't speak for us if we don't ask you too. Bronx Jon, my prayers are with you.

]]> By: bk cmer http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/comment-page-1/#comment-1155 bk cmer Fri, 11 Aug 2006 20:47:17 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/#comment-1155 hey all. . . some of us in the brooklyn biking community will be biking around brooklyn tonight in the monthly brooklyn critical mass nypd and cyclists have worked together for two years to make brooklyn's critical mass rides safe, fun and arrest free. tonight there is a pretty good chance that we will stop and memorialize fallen cyclists, bronx john, donna goodson (killed in june), and shamar porter (10 years old killed last weekend). meet at grand army plaza or the williamsburg bridge at 7pm wear black and bring flowers hey all. . .

some of us in the brooklyn biking community will be biking around brooklyn tonight in the monthly brooklyn critical mass

nypd and cyclists have worked together for two years to make brooklyn's critical mass rides safe, fun and arrest free.

tonight there is a pretty good chance that we will stop and memorialize fallen cyclists, bronx john, donna goodson (killed in june), and shamar porter (10 years old killed last weekend).

meet at grand army plaza or the williamsburg bridge at 7pm

wear black and bring flowers

]]> By: JK http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/comment-page-1/#comment-1145 JK Fri, 11 Aug 2006 17:35:28 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/#comment-1145 Mayor Bloomberg found the time to endorse Joe Lieberman. I would like him to find the time to make some simple expression of concern and sympathy for those cyclists killed and seriously hurt in the last week There is a great deal of harsh public rhetoric aimed at cyclists for irresponsible behavior. It is important that the mayor regularly remind everyone that cycling is good for New York, we want more people to ride, and reassure us that he cares and that the city is working for safer streets.Bureaucrats take their cues from their boss. When they see harsh new police rules being proposed and crackdowns in Central Park, it sends them the signal that cyclists are a nuisance and they deserve what they get. Mayor Bloomberg found the time to endorse Joe Lieberman.

I would like him to find the time to make some simple expression of concern and sympathy for those cyclists killed and seriously hurt in the last week

There is a great deal of harsh public rhetoric aimed at cyclists for irresponsible behavior. It is important that the mayor regularly remind everyone that cycling is good for New York, we want more people to ride, and reassure us that he cares and that the city is working for safer streets.Bureaucrats take their cues from their boss. When they see harsh new police rules being proposed and crackdowns in Central Park, it sends them the signal that cyclists are a nuisance and they deserve what they get.

]]> By: Lauren http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/comment-page-1/#comment-1136 Lauren Fri, 11 Aug 2006 14:00:30 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/#comment-1136 that driver was going really fast. I don't know Jon but I can get it off my mind. best wishes to him and his friends/family during this difficult time. I really hope he's okay. that driver was going really fast.
I don't know Jon but I can get it off my mind. best wishes to him and his friends/family during this difficult time. I really hope he's okay.

]]> By: ryan the girl http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/comment-page-1/#comment-1134 ryan the girl Fri, 11 Aug 2006 13:22:40 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/#comment-1134 tonite is BROOKLYN CRITICAL MASS looks like it will be heading out to Shamar Porter's baseball game and then over to his ghost bike. GAP 7 pm or Brooklyn side of Williamsburg Bridge tonite is BROOKLYN CRITICAL MASS

looks like it will be heading out to Shamar Porter's baseball game and then over to his ghost bike.

GAP 7 pm or Brooklyn side of Williamsburg Bridge

]]> By: richie rich http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/comment-page-1/#comment-1133 richie rich Fri, 11 Aug 2006 12:52:22 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/#comment-1133 toby... i don't ride, but i walk around williamsburg. one out of two drivers speed double the limit. most don't obey the stop signs. it's awful. the police need to be more vigilant about this. maybe even posting cameras at intersections. toby... i don't ride, but i walk around williamsburg. one out of two drivers speed double the limit. most don't obey the stop signs. it's awful. the police need to be more vigilant about this. maybe even posting cameras at intersections.

]]> By: BQE http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/comment-page-1/#comment-1125 BQE Fri, 11 Aug 2006 11:52:45 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/#comment-1125 Did Bronx John's bike have brakes? Did Bronx John's bike have brakes?

]]> By: c http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/comment-page-1/#comment-1111 c Fri, 11 Aug 2006 03:33:02 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/#comment-1111 Toby, following traffic laws for does not necessarily make bicyclists safer. Indeed, it often makes us less safe. This is not to say, of course, they we should blow through red lights either. Just don't assume that a bicyclist was breaking a traffic law (most, introduced in this City after MOTOR vehicles became a problem), or that if one was, that they're automatically at fault. Toby, following traffic laws for does not necessarily make bicyclists safer. Indeed, it often makes us less safe. This is not to say, of course, they we should blow through red lights either. Just don't assume that a bicyclist was breaking a traffic law (most, introduced in this City after MOTOR vehicles became a problem), or that if one was, that they're automatically at fault.

]]> By: Toby http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/comment-page-1/#comment-1109 Toby Fri, 11 Aug 2006 02:22:16 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/#comment-1109 I hate to say it, but were these cyclists following the traffic laws? Also, the ten year old was old enough to ride on the sidewalk, legally. I hate to say it, but were these cyclists following the traffic laws?
Also, the ten year old was old enough to ride on the sidewalk, legally.

]]> By: John Hunka http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/comment-page-1/#comment-1106 John Hunka Fri, 11 Aug 2006 00:17:37 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/#comment-1106 According to the July edition of Adventure Cyclist magazine, Adventure Cycling Association has joined a task force newly convened by the League of American Bicyclists to boost national safety efforts. For information about the League's intiative, contact Jim Sayer at jsayer@adventurecycling.org or Amanda Eichstaedt (chair of the task force) at amandaeichstaedt@bikeleague.org According to the July edition of Adventure Cyclist magazine, Adventure Cycling Association has joined a task force newly convened by the League of American Bicyclists to boost national safety efforts. For information about the League's intiative, contact Jim Sayer at jsayer@adventurecycling.org or Amanda Eichstaedt (chair of the task force) at amandaeichstaedt@bikeleague.org

]]> By: ashira http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/comment-page-1/#comment-1104 ashira Fri, 11 Aug 2006 00:04:13 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/08/10/another-very-bad-week-to-ride-a-bike-in-nyc/#comment-1104 Bronx Jon, you're in my thoughts and in my heart. You better be tough and get through this cuz we love you. Bronx Jon, you're in my thoughts and in my heart.

You better be tough and get through this cuz we love you.

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