Springtime in December?

Wow...talk about wanting to play hooky!

One of my assignments today? Talk to people who ride bikes all winter long; those intrepid 'Winter Weather Warriors'* Well, today it was easy to be a cyclist--it was sunny and 48 degrees. It felt like one of the first, early days of spring and I was wishing my vacation were already underway.

Check in on WTOP for the story New Year's Day...and enjoy your New Year's Eve, safely.

*Capital Bikeshare: the program that's trying to get users to enjoy riding bikes on even the coldest of days..from January 1 through February...more on that in the next post.

The Snow That Did...and Didn't Fall..

...almost as soon as it was declared, weather restrictions on the Capital Bikeshare program were lifted.

I visited the folks at the Dupont Farmer's market.

What's interesting is how many vendors decided to come, even as weather forecasts fluctuated. I was struck by the image of lovely flowers and colorful vegetables for sale, despite the frigid temps.

Need a reason to brave the icy blasts of winter to head to a farmer's market? Sometimes, you get two-fers..two-for-one deals. I got two loaves of bread for the price of one.

At twice the price, I'd say many of the treats on sale are more than worth it. If you've ever done any agricultural work, you can appreciate what it takes to get that food from farm to table. They work in blazing heat and bitter cold, and then do the same as they vend it at markets throughout the region.

Even Winter Weather Warriors...

...have to play it safe.

Capital BikeShare  could be implementing their severe weather policy---given the predictions of snow we're getting. Will we see this again? Fire up the hot cocoa!

You know I'm going to plug WTOP here, right?

Check out the  winter storm warnings in effect as of Saturday night. Hope you get to settle in for a long winter's night before we wake up to whatever shoveling is ahead of us. 

Christmas @ Capital Bikeshare

Bike Balance...remember learning to ride? You had to learn to balance on that bike. But there's a different kind of bike balance that has to be achieved to keep the Capital Bikeshare Bikes rolling..check it out...

Catching Up...Because I Fell Behind

From the But-Wait-There's-More! file...

More CapitalBikeshare bike-sharing in the region's future. Here's the latest from DDOT.

No matter what your politics are, Karl Rove has something to say about bikes, veterans, and the sweat-soaked inspiration they provide when matched up. Check out Ride2Recovery and prepare to be humbled. Really, really humbled.

The Trip Home After the Trip Home From NYC

Multi-Modal Me...

I am not a holier than thou biker/walker/city resident, so I don't say that in a smug urban-dweller who plays the 'greener-than-thou-game'. See below...

Bikes, NYC and City Sidewalks...

Raced up to NYC for a quick visit with the family...And while I love biking--and am happy to see bikes become a viable way to get around in NYC-- there are some things that walking lets you see in a way you just don't on a bike. When I take photos or record sound, or even videos, it's nice to just stop, reach in my bag, and start shooting.

Winter Warriors? We Got 'Em...

Kate's 500 Update...

Mileage today:

• On foot: 3 miles
• By bike: 9.4 miles

Today's total: 12.4 miles
Total so far: 41.4 miles

I won't lie: coming out of a toasty restaurant into the dark, drizzly night to unlock the bike and head home? A bit of a challenge mentally. Like leaving your warm bed for a workout on an icy morning. 

But as always, once you get going, you warm up. And at one point, I was laughing just because it was fun. Riding a bike can do that for you. 

Updates...

Maybe you've seen it on the WTOP website

...DDOT changes start at the top. What will that mean for bicyclists in DC?

also:
...Quinzy Fraser, the Clarksburg man who was arrested in the death of cyclist Stanton Miller last summer, has entered a guilty plea to a charge of manslaughter by motor vehicle. The crime carries a possible 10 year jail sentence. Sentencing has been set for January 14th in Montgomery County Circuit Court.

and:
....an elderly pedestrian struck by a bicyclist in a hit-and-run last month has died from his injuries. The Washington Post reports DC police are looking for he cyclist who struck the man --and the woman he was with. The elderly couple was walking in an alley in the 600 block of Mass Ave NW when they were struck by a cyclist wearing dark pants a grey hooded jacket. Police say he was riding a BMX style bike, and that he had dark hair.

Yoko Ono Shares a Bittersweet Memory

This excerpt was taken from an interview I did with John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono when she prepared a show of her late husband's works here in Washington DC.

Today's Mileage..

Walked to the bike shop to pick up the Trek: 2.8 miles.

Biked home from the bike shop: 3.8 miles.

How did that happen, you ask?

I will do a lot to avoid a hill.

Plus, it gets me closer to my goal of 500 miles by April 16th.

Total so far: 29 miles.

Kate's 500 Update...

This is about my pledge to cover 500 miles (on foot, by bike) before April 16th when I join with other volunteers in the MS Walk here in Washington, DC.  I will cover 500 more by June when the Bike MS events are held.

Yesterday's mileage: 3.2 on foot, 1.5 by bike.

The idea is that I get contributions going before the day's events. You can help out: decide to take part in the walk yourself, or kick in to my effort. No amount is too small.

Here's where you do it: Kate's 500 Miles

More mileage to come, but first, some coffee!

A Ghost Bike and Information from FABB

Bruce Wright over at FABB (Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling) sends the following along:

Ghost bike placed in honor of Christopher Benton

FABB was very saddened to learn that Christopher Benton died on November 22 as the result of a collision with a motorist at Fort Hunt and Belle Haven Roads. The crash occurred on November 14. A ghost bike has now been placed at the site of the crash. A ghost bike is a white bicycle set up as a roadside memorial in a place where a cyclist has been killed. Besides acting as a memorial to Christopher, it is intended as a reminder to passing motorists to share the road.

Christopher was an avid cyclist who discovered bicycle touring in 1993. From 1994 to 1999 he toured throughout the U.S. and Canada. In 2001 he started cycling to work four to five days a week, twenty-six miles round trip. Christopher also used his bicycle for transportation on short trips around his neighborhood.

The type of crash in which Christopher was killed, where a motorist turns left in front of an oncoming cyclist, is a very common cause of bicyclist/motorist crash.  Motorists may not be looking for a bicyclist, may underestimate the speed of the oncoming bicyclist, or may ignore that the bicyclist has the right-of-way and assume the cyclist will stop. Cyclists need to be aware that this type of crash is common and always proceed with caution through intersections.

Motorists when turning should yield to bicyclists. They should approach and pass bicyclists at a reasonable speed, allowing at least two feet when passing. Cyclists should wear bright clothing to increase visibility and always use lights when riding at night. They should ride 2-3 feet from the edge of the road in a visible position. If there are parked cars, they should ride 4-5 feet from cars to avoid being hit by a door that could open suddenly. If the lane is too narrow to share (less than 14 feet), cyclists should take the lane, riding in the center or just to the right of center of the lane.

In all states in the U.S. cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists when using the road. Motorists need to be aware that cyclists often travel at speeds in excess of 20 mph, especially when traveling downhill. We must all share the road.

FABB continues its ongoing work to improve safety for all bicyclists in the county through our work on infrastructure design and road user education.

###

What's Black and White and Wiggly All Over?

...and back at the Washington Humane Society after being 'dognapped'?

Update: Death of Stanton Miller Audio

Here's what aired on WTOP Thursday morning: my update on the death of cyclist Stanton Miller. A plea memorandum has been filed in Montgomery County Circuit court. 

A second version of the same story, which also aired on WTOP:

A hearing on that plea agreement is set for next Tuesday. 

I'll file more info this weekend. 

Home Sweet Home...For Now

Ivan the pit bull pup is back 'home' with the folks at the Washington Humane Society.

I got a chance to meet him and talk to WHS President and CEO Lisa LaFontaine. It's clear this little guy's destined for a great home.

He got in some play time with staffers after his morning media blitz.

You'll hear more about it when I file a special weekend piece for WTOP.

Here he is getting in a workout, and then sacking out on the floor at the WHS offices. So until the weekend, feel free to adore this pup!

Update: The Death of Stanton Miller, Gaithersburg Cyclist

A plea memorandum has been filed in Montgomery County Circuit Court.

WTOP spoke to Barry Helfand, the attorney for 34 year old Quinzy Fraser, whose SUV struck 48 year old Stanton Miller last summer. Miller died as the result of his injuries.

Tune in to WTOP, 103.5 FM to hear the reports starting at 5 a.m.

Phew! That Was Scary!

But the good news is: Ivan is back, safe and sound, after being dognapped on Monday.

Foggy Day...

..in Washington.

It's actually pleasant walking weather for me. I don't mind gray, I don't mind drizzle. Heavy downpour? Not a fan. But I can cope with the gray days. As a matter of fact, I rather like the cool temps, the quiet of the gray.

So how'd I do? Just 1.2 miles on foot today. So that brings me to 17.7 for my total.

Not quite the Turbo Tuesday I'd predicted...we'll keep tweaking the predictions/performance.

But today, I saw something that gives me a good swift kick for those mornings when I'm dragging.

Did any of you see this?

Today, @ 9:30-10am along Wisconsin Ave/355 just across from the Naval Medical Center, a jogger.

Ok, that's not so unusual, but by his side? A companion. On crutches. With one functioning leg. The other, it appeared, had been amputated, somewhere above the knee. And yet, this young man was keeping pace with the jogger.

To that man I wanted to say: I don't know who you are, but please know this-- you really made me feel great. Seeing you speed along with your running buddy inspired not pity, but respect, even awe. I was really impressed by the matter-of-factness you projected. The way you handled the crutches as though they were second nature, something you don't even think about anymore. You had me focusing not on your disability, but your ease of movement, and the fact that you were eating up the pavement with your buddy.

So thanks. You were focused on your activity. You weren't looking to impress anyone. But you filled me with admiration. And you made my day.

They Stole WHAT?!

Sadly, it's not WHAT but WHO was stolen by three dognappers who hit the Washington Humane Society's New York Avenue Shelter.
Check out the story on on WTOP.COM they've even got some video of the thieves. Paws crossed for the safe return of Ivan, the 4 month-old pit bull puppy.

Low Mileage Monday...

...the name sort of says it all.

Let's call it a rock-solid quarter-mile.

My friends who've done marathons say the commitment means you don't pencil in time for your workouts. You carve out the time. With a sharp object.

Got it.

So today's walk? Quarter-mile.

Grand total on the Walkmeter app? 16.5 miles.

Looks like I'll have to make it a Turbo-Charged Tuesday.

Hey Thieves! Don't Touch My Junk!

Ok, after more than a week of hauling the bikes up the stairs each day, I've opted to place them back on the bike rack provided by management where I live.

But I'm not counting on the thieves deciding to change their behavior. Instead I've invested in hardware. Lots of it.

I've always had good, heavy duty locks, but now I use multiple locks on each bike so the thieves don't steal the wheels off of them, like they did last time.

It's just that now--between the chains and the U-locks-- it looks like my bikes have gotten a thing for bondage.

Daily Download: Early Mileage

Some days are walking days, some days are biking days. Today, with a need to get some grocery shopping done, and some work on the Trek needed at one of my favorite local shops, it was bike day.

Today's mileage: 11 miles on the bike.

Grand total so far, 16.4.

Only 483.6 more to go on the first leg of my 1,000 mile journey. Remember: it's 500 by April 16th and another 500 more by June 11.

16.4...It's a start, just like my modest fundraising goal of $500. I'm betting on all of you doing just a little bit and helping me make an impact. Here's the place to do it:

My MS Walk fundraising page

No contribution is too small, and every contribution gets the MS Society closer to its goal of beating this disease.

I Will Walk 500 Miles...

...and I will bike 500 more.

And if you are hearing the old "Proclaimers" song in your head, you have it right. But this is bigger than a pop song's promise. It's about fighting Multiple Sclerosis.

So here's the deal: my promise is to log 500 miles by April 16th, the date I'll be joining thousands of volunteers in the National Capital Chapter's Walk MS event on June 16th.

And I'll  log 500 more by the time the National Capital MS Society holds its June Beyond the Beltway biking event.

I'll use a combination of activities, biking and walking to reach that goal. One, because I like to mix it up, and two, because the April fundraiser is a walk, the June fundraiser is a bike ride.

This is where you come in. You can help me raise money for the National Capital Chapter of the MS Society. You can donate by the mile, you can donate by the month, you can just kick in whatever you can, whenever you can. I've started a fundraising page that makes it easy.

Can you help me reach my goal of giving MS a serious kick in the pants? We do it with dollars. Research dollars. MS is a disease that can be treated, but I'd love to see the day come when it's a disease that's relegated to medical history books. And research is helping that day come.

My promise to you is that I walk the walk...and ride that bike. I'll report my progress to you regularly. And there will be no fudging of the numbers: I'll be using an iPhone app that logs everything from my mileage to my pace.

I've already started. I logged 5.4 miles today. I'm on my way. Are you with me?

Police Search for Cyclist in a Hit and Run...

No one likes hearing that there's been a hit-and-run; this time police say it's a cyclist who committed the offense. And it's serious.

Here's the official release from the Metropolitan Police Department:

Bicyclist Hit and Run with Pedestrian Injuries

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Major Crash Investigations Unit are investigating a hit and run crash in which a bicyclist struck two pedestrians in the 600 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW.
At approximately 10 am on Friday, November 26, 2010, a male and a female pedestrian were walking in the south alley of the 600 block Massachusetts Avenue NW, when they were struck by a bicyclist. The impact caused the pedestrians, who are both in their 70s to fall. The bicyclist failed to stop. The bicyclist appeared to be a Hispanic male, with black hair, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, dark pants and possibly riding a BMX style bicycle. The bicyclist was last seen traveling south through the alley towards I Street, NW. Personnel from DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services transported both pedestrians to a local hospital. The male pedestrian was admitted in critical condition.
Anyone with information about the bicyclist or this crash is asked to contact police at (202) 727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIME (1-888-919-2746).

Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to DC CRIME SOLVERS at 1-866-411-TIPS and to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411. If the information provided by the caller to the Crime Solvers Unit leads to an arrest and indictment, that caller will be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Lighting Up The Night...

Ever hear the phrase "It's better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness"? The folks at FABB, Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling, sure have. And they went one better.

Did You See Something? One Cyclist Hopes You'll Say Something...

Were you around New Hampshire Avenue and 17th Street NW around 8:30pm on October 21st?

If so, Doug Kandt wants to talk to you.

He's looking for the witnesses who called the ambulance for him after he was hit by a cab...why? I'll let him tell you...



If you witnessed the collision, you can contact Doug at dkandt@gmail.com

Helmets Part 2: One Rider Makes the Case in Favor...

Doug Kandt tells WTOP how being hit by a cab made him awfully glad he's been in the habit of wearing a helmet...


...and he's making an addition to his gear: a bright front light.



But that's not all...check in at WTOP for Doug's search for witnesses to his crash. Seems despite getting hit by a car, he's the one who got the ticket. Did cops make the right call? I'll post more here later....

Helmets: The Debate Over Your Brain Case

Ok, so here's the deal. I grew up way back when it was common for bikes to have chrome fenders and no more than 3 speeds. Banana seats were new and featured 'flower power' designs. And no one, I mean no one wore helmets.

Post Tweed Ride...

It was a postcard-picture-perfect autumn day. Warm enough to enjoy sitting in a park, cool enough to want to wear that tweed jacket so critical to finishing the look for the annual Tweed Ride.

But some serious thoughts. The organizers of the Tweed Ride made it clear: this was not some bike-rights statement, this was literally, a ride in the park...the park being the lovely city of Washington, DC. Riders were to stay in small, manageable groups, and obey the traffic laws. That meant stopping at stop lights and signaling intentions to drivers. This gentle reminder appeared on waivers riders were to sign before the event, and announced at the start of the ride as groups were 'launched' in clusters of no more than 30 at a time.

Tweed Ride: a Look

Everything Old is New Again...

For the second time, Dandies and Quaintrelles gather in DC to go on a very civilized, dress-in-your-best Tweed Ride.

The mood is well, very like this.

The waiver for the ride and the invitation calls for riders to ride in groups no larger than 30, and to obey all traffic laws. Last year, the ride went out without a hitch, and today, the weather is perfect...

Now, where's my tweed?

Upon Closer Inspection...

...it looks to me like we do indeed have a match.

I believe the tire taken off my Gazelle Medeo is the very one that is now sported by a bike confiscated from a group of youths by the Metropolitan Police at 2-D. I'm working with the police on confirming it and making that claim.

I have become more sure since getting my Gazelle back from the bike shop where I took it for repairs (the thieves also tried yanking my rear wheel off the bike, never a good thing to have someone force the works on your ride.)

The good news is, after recovering my bike, I took it for a ride, and the mechanics did a fabulous job. It rides beautifully and they came up with a really good match for the front tire (though they said they weren't able to find the same kind of reflective sidewalls on the tires.)

It was also nice to know the guys working on it loved it too. The words "awesome" and "sweet" were used more than once.

I know it's an object, but I really do love that bike. It's a beautiful piece of machinery, and it's a pleasure to ride.

Smithereens...

...which are little bits and pieces, and that's what I have here, little bits and pieces of news.


First, more bike light giveaways, this one from the fine folks at FABB: they'll be doing a bicycle light giveaway at St Anthony's in Falls Church/Baileys Crossroads on Nov. 22 at 5:30pm and they need volunteers.

Second; still working on the 'aftermath' of bike theft and vandalism. One of my neighbors who was also hit by the thieves (they got bike parts, his frame was still in place thanks to a serious U-lock) kindly called me to tell me he would be meeting with police to check the four bikes they recovered and invited me to come along. Police thought some of the missing parts would show up on the bikes, and they were right. He will recover his seat, seatpost, seat cover and bike lights. (This stuff adds up.)

I went along and for a second, thought that maybe that was my missing wheel on one of the bikes, but upon closer inspection, I'm not so sure. My Gazelle is still in the shop (I'm waiting for the estimate on it) so I'll have to see if I have any photos that can help me out on that score. So far no sign of the Dahon.

So, nearly a week after finding my bike stolen, and a second vandalized, I'm still working on recovering any parts, completing the process of reporting to the insurance company. They want the receipt from the Dahon, and darn it, I have all the info on my other bikes, but can't find that particular file and paperwork. Kills me because I can picture both the brochure and the receipt. I'll be contacting the bike shop to see if they kept records from 2008.

Note to all you bike owners: after purchase, KEEP the receipts, PHOTOGRAPH your bike, especially the serial number (flip your bike upside down, there on the sprocket, you'll find it) and register it with the National Bike Registry.

After this, I can only imagine the grief that victims of more serious crimes go through; for me this is limited to the paperwork, the time lost to following up, the frustration of the loss, and the dent it can put in your sense of security. In the big scheme of things: small potatoes. Still, grinds my gears.

...and not bikey, but pedestrian-y: I'm walking 500 miles for MS. Ok, not all at once. I've set a goal for myself: I will walk 500 miles by the April 16th and shoot for another 500 by June.

Can You See Me Now?








Check in at WTOP. 103.5fm and our website. We've got a piece on the value of bike lights and the strategies that groups like BikeArlington and WABA are using to make sure that cyclists are seen.

More on what I find works for me later. Right now, news could be breaking, and WTOP needs to be there with the patch kit when it does.

Did You Catch This Cyclist on WTOP Monday Morning?

Meet John Farrell of Chevy Chase.

I did. Ran into him at his polling place election night. He was on his bike. I asked him about that, and he explained he's one of the thousands of folks who opt to make every day Bike To Work Day. He makes it sound like non-stop fun.

Dear Bike Thief,

First things first.


Stolen bikes November 2010 from kate ryan on Vimeo.

I know, I live in the city. Crime is part of the landscape. A stolen bike doesn't compare to a violent crime. I'm in a position to replace the object that was stolen. I get that. I get all that. But that's not the point. Let me help you understand.

Dahon gone...

...but not forgotten. Here's a video featuring my now-missing Dahon bike. If you spot it for sale on E-bay or Craigslist, just give me a holler.

Dahon Gone...

...Gazelle vandalized.

I hustled out of work today to meet up with friends when I was stunned to see one of my bikes had been vandalized and the other stolen from inside a secured garage. My Dahon fold-up was taken, my Gazelle Medeo, which served me so well last Saturday as I covered the Rally for Sanity/Fear for WTOP, was vandalized. Someone stole the front wheel, and did some damage to the front end when they did.

But I wasn't alone. And that didn't make me feel better. It seemed there wasn't a bike on that rack that hadn't been vandalized; seats yanked out of tubes, wheels ripped off frames and dumped, some twisted like potato chips, others just cast up against a wall.

That indicated two things to me: the people who did this had time, and I'm guessing weren't working alone. There had to be a group. A bike rack that had been packed with bikes of all kinds was suddenly looking pretty spare.

Building staffers were notified, police contacted, reports filed.

One small positive: I met more of my neighbors. Nothing brings people together like a shared problem.

More on this later.  But now I need sleep: I'm headed to the HeartWalk fundraiser to walk, and to support my colleague Jamie Forzato, who got me on her team "Left Side, Strong Side!" And yes, that's a Remember the Titans reference. We hope to beat Heart Disease...one step at a time.

Before I sleep: register your bike, get a rock solid lock (my Bianchi wasn't touched, I had some serious chains on that one--same with the Gazelle) and keep your eyes peeled for a blue Dahon fold-up bike. If you see it on Craig's list...let me know. Oddly, they took the frame without the seat. (I often take my bike seat with me...foolishly assuming that makes it a less likely theft-magnet.)

Answering Your Need for Tweed...

It's that magical time of year, when the fall colors dazzle and the desire to wrap yourself in anything but lycra as you glide through the streets of Washington on your bicycle signal that the Tweed Ride has come 'round again...

The always gracious Eric Channing Brewer is inviting us all to become Dandies and Quaintrelles--even for just a day--and to enjoy the second annual Tweed Ride here in DC. The theme this year: "Betweed You and Me" .

As always, you'll be asked to turn out in your tweedy best, and put your best bike manners--along with your fashion sense--on display.

And if you're wondering; yes, some folks really do know how to rock a bike helmet. Really.

No, This Is Not More Post-Election Analysis...

...unless by analysis you mean a thought. And it's this: my earliest memories of election days have nothing to do with politics, but everything to do with community.

It's not the talk of party politics I remember most. What I do remember are the hellos from neighbors, the gossiping in line, the comments from the grown-ups about how big someone's child had grown since the last time they'd voted.

It wasn't as though there weren't conflicts, of course there were.  But on election day, the community came together for one thing: to vote. And even as a little kid, I got the very clear sense that no matter our differences, we were then, as we are now, all in this together.

Is it Election Day Yet?

It is! Some thoughts on that in a later post. But first, a look back at an 'experimental' approach to radio news coverage.

In the latest 'bike-centric' news: I covered the Rally to Restore Sanity And/Or Fear by bike.

WTOP and its staffers are pros at covering live events like the rally in DC this past weekend. But times and technology are changing, and we change with it.

I've always hated the hassle of trying to drive and park downtown in heavy traffic (uh, like any day of the week) but facing major events with restricted access can be a real pain in the...driver's seat. Now that I live where I work, and have gone carless, I proposed covering the event by bike. My boss, Jim Farley, who's embraced the changes in our industry and put us way ahead of the curve in so many ways, gave me the thumbs up. And hey, he knows an opportunity to cut fleet costs when he sees it.

So I kitted out my Gazelle Medeo and took off for the Mall. Along the way, I noted lots of folks taking advantage of Capital Bikeshare Bikes, others trying without much success to hail cabs, and many others who decided to go old-old-school and walk.

The bike valets were not available on the Mall, though WABA did make the pitch to Comedy Central, so finding bike parking was actually, a bit of a challenge. Good news in a way--a signal that many folks are indeed finding bikes a viable form of transportation.


My first stop was getting my credentials--a very hot commodity. The line was a bit long and I had a noon deadline, but I was able to put together a quick report via iPhone.



I had some scrambling to do throughout the day. Getting cell service was a challenge, so we figured the bike would allow me to hightail it off the Mall and better my chances of being able to file electronically.

At one point, after my 2pm filing deadline,,a man seated next to me on a bench said he'd just come from the L'Enfant Plaza Metro station where, as he described it, there had been an escalator "collapse". I snagged some sound from him, hopped on my bike, shot on over to the Metro stop, and found ambulances and Metro Transit police vehicles at the 9th and D entrance. Click here to listen to DC Fire/EMS spokesman Pete Piringer and the man who initially reported the trouble to me...



For reporters, the day was a challenge in one way: getting cell service. We are all so dependent on being able to file electronically. We knew we'd face this challenge going into the event. That's one reason I opted to experiment by bike coverage (I've covered events by bike before, but not when expected to go live, thoughout the day).

Even using the tactic of speeding off the Mall to find a more 'open' signal in cyberspace, I ran into trouble electronically. It was frustrating to have sound that I could not get to air as quickly as I'd like.

But the upside was how easy it was to get around. Traffic was of course light, as people wisely opted to leave the cars at home. Foot traffic was heavy, but I was able to cut through fairly easily. My Gazelle Medeo had an effect similar to that which you see when mounted police move through a crowd--the sheer bulk of the thing helped cut a swath through the crowds--in the streets. The Medeo is a lot like a good police horse: It's solid, not speedy. Of course, I'm not a speed demon either, so I suppose we are a perfect match.

I don't know that covering news events in blazing heat or pouring rain would be as much fun, but I have to say this experiment in sound (iPhones, Twitter) and mobility (pedal power) was a blast.

And biking to meet deadlines? A definite fitness booster.

And yes, if you are curious, I wore a helmet, outfitted the bike and myself with lights (I'll get a pic of that at some point for you) and abided by traffic laws. I always try to operate under the premise that any time I'm on the bike I am a bike ambassador, and that's especially true when I've got the WTOP logo on display. And no, the WTOP lawyers don't make me say that. It's just good, common sense.

For pix of the event, head to my Flickr page @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/kryan1035/sets/72157625276242000/

Woman Dies As A Result of Hit-and-Run Injuries

22 year old Danny Elizabeth Alay-Mateo died Tuesday morning as a result of her injuries in a hit-and-run in the Piney Branch area of Silver Spring. Police are continuing their investigation into the fatal pedestrian collision. They need the public's help.  Emphasis in bold font is mine. Here's the release from Montgomery County Police:

Piney Branch Pedestrian Collision Now Being Investigated as a Fatal

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) are continuing to investigate a serious pedestrian hit-and-run collision that occurred in the Piney Branch area of Silver Spring.

This morning at 10:30 a.m., the pedestrian, Danny Elizabeth Alay-Mateo, succumbed to her injuries at an area trauma center. She was 22-years-old and resided in the 9100 block of September Lane in Silver Spring.

On September 25 at 8:13 p.m., 3rd District officers and fire/rescue personnel responded to the 8700 block of Carroll Avenue for the report of a pedestrian struck. The preliminary investigation revealed that for unknown reasons, Alay-Mateo was in the northbound portion of the roadway of the 8700 block of Carroll Avenue. For reasons still under investigation, a dark colored vehicle struck her and failed to stop and remain at the scene.

The description of the striking vehicle is a 1994-998 GMC Jimmy, Chevy S-10 pick-up truck, Chevy Blazer, or Oldsmobile Bravada. The vehicle could possibly have minimal damage to the right front headlight, the hood, and/or the windshield. The right side exterior mirror was located at the scene and the plastic housing compartment is believed to still be attached to the vehicle.

Detectives have interviewed several witnesses, but would like to hear from anyone else who may have information about this collision and/or the suspect responsible. Those persons are asked to call the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 301-840-2435. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest and/or indictment for this felony crime.


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Road Rules: A Change, And A Chat With Peter Moe

Who is Peter Moe? He's Maryland State Highway Administration's Bicycle Safety Coordinator. Didn't know Maryland had one? Don't feel bad, it was news to WTOP's own Bob Marbourg, Dean of Washington Traffic reporters.

WTOP talked to Moe about Maryland's new rules of the road regarding cyclists. These are rules drivers need to be aware of and cyclists need to keep in mind as they travel the roadways.

One law welcomed by cyclists is the 'three foot rule'. Moe explains what that means for drivers. "What you need to do now in the state of Maryland is give bicyclists at least three feet of space when overtaking them."

Another change repeals the law that basically forced cyclists to stick to the shoulder of roadways. Why shouldn't cyclists be required to stay on the shoulder? "Because sometimes on that shoulder, there may be debris or obstacles that a cyclist has to avoid in order to travel safely." Moe says the repeal of the law means that cyclists now have some discretion. They can stay on the shoulder if they feel safest there, but can now 'take the lane' on the road if they prefer. Isn't that having it both ways? Many drivers feel bikes should not be on state roads in the first place. Moe says the law is on the side of the cyclist. "You can and should expect to see bicyclists on any roadway, apart from our interstates. Bikes are considered a legal vehicle, and they have a right to the roadway."

But Moe adds, they have responsibilites that come along with those rights: they are required to obey all traffic laws. And yes, that means stopping at red lights and at stop signs. "That's really for eveyone's benefit. For the bicyclist and for the motorist." It's the predictability, the understanding that you can expect the other guy to do the expected thing that helps keep everyone safer.

Roads: There's More to Know About Sharing Them...

If you felt that the people responsible for doing things like building the Inter County Connector just don't pay attention to bikes and cyclists, this might comfort you. Here's the release from the Maryland State Highway Administration, and listen to my interview with Peter Moe from the Maryland State Highway Administration this weekend on WTOP, 103.5 fm/103.9fm/107.7fm.

SHARING THE ROAD TAKES ON NEW MEANING FOR BICYCLISTS AND DRIVERS

New Bicycle Laws Take Effect Today

Wolf's Bus crash I-270

Wolf's Bus crash I-270
Originally uploaded by kryan1035

This was the scene coming up to the site of a bus crash on I-270. One of the most unusual crashes I have ever covered: the 26 passenger commercial bus, from Wolf's Bus Lines of York Springs, PA crashed through the guardrail of the NB HOV lanes on I-270 flyover, rolled, traveling down a 45-ft embankment, came to rest--upright--on jersey barrier. 12 were on board including driver. Driver Joseph A. Clabaugh, of Hanover PA was killed, but all others survived. Passengers were parents and children: the kids from Carlisle PA were home-schooled and this was their field trip to DC.

MOCO Police ID Hit-Run Victim in Silver Spring

Here's the press release from Montgomery County Police:

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) are continuing to investigate a serious pedestrian hit-and-run collision that occurred in the Piney Branch area of Silver Spring.


The pedestrian has been identified as Danny Elizabeth Alay-Mateo, age 22, of the 9100 block of September Lane in Silver Spring. She remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.

The description of the vehicle has been modified to a 1994 -1998 GMC Jimmy, Chevy S-10 pick-up truck, Chevy Blazer, or Oldsmobile Bravada. The vehicle will most likely have damage to the right front headlight, possibly dents in the hood, and cracks in the glass windshield. The damage may be slight. The right side exterior mirror was located at the scene and the plastic housing compartment, of the exterior mirror, is believed to still be attached to the vehicle.

On Saturday, September 25 at approximately 8:13 p.m., 3rd District officers and Fire/Rescue personnel responded to the 8700 block of Carroll Avenue, near Piney Branch Road, for the report of a pedestrian struck.

The preliminary investigation determined that for unknown reasons, Alay Mateo was in the northbound portion of the roadway of the 8700 block of Carroll Avenue. For reasons still under investigation, a dark colored vehicle struck her and failed to stop and remain at the scene. She suffered significant injuries and was transported to an area trauma center.

Investigators believe that there are members of the community who know more details about this collision and they are urged to call in. Please contact the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 301-840-2435.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest and/or indictment for this felony crime.

CaBi: My Test Ride

They're red, they're shiny, and they're just as cute as can be. The Capital Bikeshare bikes are parked in my neighborhood and despite the fact that I own what I jokingly call a 'wardrobe' of bikes, I've been eager to take one out for a spin. 

Sunday night, I got my chance. 

Pedestrian Hit and Run: Montgomery County Investigating..

Saturday night, a 24 year old woman was struck by a car in Silver Spring. Montgomery County Police issued the following release:

...at approximately 8:13 p.m., 3^rd District officers and Fire/Rescue personnel responded to the 8700 block of Carroll Avenue, near Piney Branch Road, for the report of a pedestrian struck. 

The preliminary investigation determined that a 24-year-old woman was walking in the northbound portion of the roadway of the 8700 block of Carroll Avenue.  For reasons still under investigation, a small, dark colored passenger vehicle, possibly a Honda, struck the woman and failed to stop and remain on the scene.  The woman suffered significant injuries and was transported to an area trauma center when she remains in serious condition. 

The vehicle was damaged in the collision and the right side exterior mirror was located at the scene.  Additionally, the vehicle may have damage to the right headlight, the right side of the hood, and the right side of the windshield.

Anyone who may have information about this collision is asked to contact the Collision Reconstruction Unit at 301-840-2435.  Callers may remain anonymous. 

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WABA's 50 States Ride...

The Washington Area Bicyclist Association's 13 Colonies and 50 States tour went off today.

No, I didn't take part. I was dutifully doing household chores--because sometimes I'm not smart enough to dump the chores and get out and play.

But one bright spot among the checkbook-balancing and dusting? Watching the riders passing by my home. It was fun to cheer them on from my window. I hope they got a charge out of it: I know I did. Maybe next year I leave the housework for a day...

Congrats to all those who got out for a challenging ride!

Friends and Family Hold Vigil for Cyclist Killed on Rt 202

Update:


If you haven't seen Natasha Pettigrew's campaign website, take a look. Not for the political content, but for how it gives a flavor of who the woman behind the headlines was. 


Here's what Natasha Pettigrew wrote on the "Personal" section of her site:


"During my free time I enjoy swimming, biking, and running.  I was never happier than when I found out about triathlon, which puts all three sports together at once as a sporting event.  When I am not training for a triathlon, I enjoy knitting and crocheting blankets to give to those who need them, and I enjoy reading.  When our schedules allow, I spend as much time as I can with my friends.  However, law school sometimes makes that difficult.  My greatest joy is spending time with Bill.  No matter how stressful a day gets, his wagging tail and pure joy about everything in life make me smile."


Bill wasn't your average, ordinary hound. According to her site, Bill was the family's 11-year old, 3-legged Chocolate Lab. 


Dozens turned out to honor the memory of Natasha Pettigrew. I was still finishing work on a variety of assignments and weekenders for WTOP, so was unable to get out and cover it. But you can see info on the WTOP website. 

Family friend John Clendenin tells WTOP that the vigil will be held off Rt 202 in Largo, not far from the crash scene, but I'm working to pin down a bit more in the way of precise location/ direction. The vigil will start at 6pm.


Reporting on this now for WTOP, will file more here later. The vigil for Natasha Pettigrew, the cyclist and Green Party candidate for US Senate, will be ON the property of the Prince George's County Community College, not far from the crash scene were 30 year-old Natasha Pettigrew was killed. Details to follow.

Bikes and Cars: We May Struggle to Share the Road...

But after talking with Shane Farthing of WABA and John Townsend of AAA Mid-Atlantic, I learn that both agree: Maryland's vehicular manslaughter laws are in need of an overhaul.

Natasha Pettigrew's death is still under investigation: as is the death of cyclist Stanton Miller of Montgomery County. But the cases have both Farthing and Townsend talking about the need to focus on the obligation that drivers have on the roadways. AAA Mid-Atlantic was right there with Prince George's County State's Attorney Glen Ivey in Annapolis back in March: fighting to change the laws that allow drivers to --in the words of Ivey--"walk, even drive away" from a fatal crash with nothing more than a traffic ticket.

You can hear the pieces on WTOP at 103.5 fm.

And I'm just thinking:

Who hasn't heard from police that 'Driving is not a right, it's a privilege."? Yet don't we all act as though it's our right? I mean after all, a car is the thing that can empower us to travel as far as we want whenever we want. I know as a young reporter working at suburban  and rural stations my reality was: no car--no job. It was a lifeline to my livelihood. A car allowed me to work crazy shifts and head to out of the way destinations at a moment's notice.   For many people, including former teaching colleagues in Montgomery County, the car was the only way home: to affordable housing in Frederick or Washington Counties. Or even to homes in Pennsylvania.

Every driver I know will cite the examples they see of cyclists who zip between cars, blow through stop lights, or stop signs, or generally treat traffic laws as things that apply only when convenient. I've been frustrated myself when a pedestrian darts out into traffic outside of a crosswalk, or a cyclist who decicdes to thread the needle in gridlocked traffic. But what of  the drivers who drink and drive, who text and drive, who speed, who travel in the shoulder or  make the decision that make their attitudes clear: the laws apply--but not to me, not at this moment?

So I ask: how willing are we to admit our own transportation transgressions? And how willing are we, as a friend of Natasha Pettigrew's family says "to treat life as though it really is precious"?  At what point do we look at that motorist next to us, that cyclist in the bike lane, that pedestrian approaching the crosswalk, as someone's child, wife, husband, parent? Can we give each other a break?

I'm a reporter. I don't have the answers.  I'm just asking.

Capital BikeShare on a roll..

Here's what was posted on the WTOP website yesterday..and I'm posting a bunch of photos now, well, just because.

I didn't get a chance to take one out for a spin, I had a tight deadline, but I'm eager to see what these things feel like, and what residents think about them. I got an email from a WTOP listener who suggested that given crime, this idea could never work in the US. I called Jim Sebastian at DDOT who told me in the two years they were operating the SmartBike program, they lost 2 bikes out of a fleet of 100 to theft.

Bikes ready to roll...

Waiting for the biking to begin...

From left: DDOT Director Gabe Klein, USDOT Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy Polly Trottenberg, and DC Mayor Adrian Fenty

Saddle Up for a Bike Rodeo...

Fairfax County Police and Trails for Youth are teaming up to help your child develop safe biking skills at a Bike Rodeo on September 25th. The event starts at 9am at Clermont Elementary School at 5720 Clermont Drive, Alexandria.

Capital BikeShare Set to Roll Into Town

Capital BikeShare, the pick-up-drop-off bike network that will provide a way to get around town*, gets ready to roll, literally, on Monday.

Off the Bike, In the News

Bikes are not my beat, everything is. So there are times I fall off the bike...this week has been one of those times.

The week was crammed with news...including the hostage-taking at the Discovery Communications building in downtown Silver Spring. As someone who's been at this business of covering news for a good long time, covering a breaking event like this has a certain familiarity. Racing to a scene, trying to keep out of the way of police while gathering news, but making sure you get the story, balancing the desire to report all that you see with the concern that the person at the center of the barricade or hostage taking may be watching or listening and therefore influenced by those same reports, and more. All of this while making sure your equipment is working, that you don't lose your tiny bit of real estate before the microphones (we reporters get up close and personal with each other while jockeying for space before the microphones) and making sure you don't blow a deadline for a live feed.

As a reporter, it's not my job to be a cheerleader, as a matter of fact, should you ever catch me in that mode, you'd have to wonder if the watchdog had its teeth removed. But I must say I was impressed by the challenge the police and fire marshal's office faced  and the response to that challenge.

If you heard the WTOP broadcasts live, or the WTOP reports on the release of the 9-1-1 tapes on Friday, you probably share my appreciation for how tense and difficult that job was. Police and first responders had conflicting reports, and little information to go on, and they had nearly two-thousand people to get out of a building in the middle of a downtown with a Metro stop nearby. They didn't know if James Lee was alone. They didn't know exactly what he had with him. And they had very little time to piece things together and try to bring this to a close safely.

Friends and family asked me about my day, how stressful it must have been, how scary. I have to say the stress was felt by the people inside that building facing a life-and-death situation--the hostages. And stress was felt by the people outside the building responsible for trying to keep the public safe. Know how hard it is to get a group of people to agree on something as basic as what kind of pizza to order for lunch? Imagine the challenge of having to coordinate first responders from state, local and federal agencies (police, fire, ATF, FBI, transit agencies) in the middle of a downtown at a major transportation hub.

Also evident: the care and concern that ordinary citizens had for others as they helped each other out of the building, handed cell phones back and forth, called 9-1-1, trying to get police as much information as possible. Many of the 9-1-1 callers displayed real calm in a scary and rapidly unfolding situation. And the 9-1-1 operators juggled those calls, sifting through information, working to make sense of the sometimes scrambled calls. Daycare operators made sure the children in their care were kept safe and calm as they hustled out of the building. And the nearby businesses opened their doors to people struggling to contact and reassure each other.

As a reporter, sometimes you see the best of people in the worst of situations. I hope that's a part of the story that stays with our listeners and web followers. There are people among us who race towards a problem to solve it so the rest of us can be safe. And they do it with the hope that everyone gets to go home to their loved ones.  I am grateful to have been a witness to those efforts.

The Problem with Blogging: Not Blogging...

I'm not egocentric enough to think that anyone's sitting by the light of their computer screen waiting breathlessly for the next blog entry, but since I have the work ethic of a border collie--which is to say finding the off switch is tricky-- I tend to feel bad when not blogging more regularly. As in daily. Or close to it.

Bike-Car Communication: Not Always a Single Finger Salute...

When discussing this blog with a bike advocate, I heard him say he hoped it wouldn't devolve into a "car vs bike" blog with U-locks and coffee cups hurled over handlebars or launched from rolled-down windows.

Happy to say, it hasn't. At least I hope this blog doesn't appear to do that. Instead, I've been interested in what works, and how we can get to where we're going--mostly on time, and completely intact.

And today was one of those days where I once again found that gestures helped. Not the kind that can lead to road rage and a police report, but the kind that tell the other guy what you're up to. Some examples:

Thanks to the driver who, upon discovering she needed to slide into the right lane from the left, turned on her blinker before doing so,  then actually checked for traffic in the right lane before making her move. This was in marked contrast to the cabbie who decided to make a sudden U-turn on a downhill on Wisconsin Avenue, nearly taking out cars in both directions.

Thanks to the drivers who didn't try to lane-share or press me into the dreaded 'door zone' as we all  threaded our way through rush hour traffic.

Thanks to the bike cop who waved as we headed in opposite directions on the road. It wasn't a necessary traffic signal, just a nice friendly gesture.

Yes, these things really do happen. Sometimes the forces of goodness and niceness really do win. Even in traffic in this town.

Lights at Dusk...

Noticing something interesting:

Lots of drivers fail to put their lights on at dusk. I'm not talking sun-still-up-in-the-sky dusk, I'm talking it's-getting-hard-to-pick-out objects in the roadway dusk. The kind of dusk that made you call off your kickball game as a kid, cause you couldn't follow the trajectory of the ball, or find the bases anymore dusk. The, I didn't see that car in front of me until I was up on it dusk.

As a cyclist, when the light starts to fail, or when it's rainy or foggy, I think I look like a manic Christmas tree...three rear blinky lights strategically placed and blinking, and a front white light that is in strobe mode. The idea: to be seen. I'm very squeamish and would get really, really grossed out by being squished like a bug. And I'm no different in the car---I've seen people plow into cars ahead of them, and covered enough crashes to have it make me a little twitchy when a car comes up too close, too fast on my bumper, so I just wonder.

What's with the failing to turn lights on at dusk? Does it seem wasteful? Does it seem premature? I'm just curious about that...

Back to the Bike...

I have more than one bike, but just as when my car was in the shop, it makes me edgy when one of my bikes isn't available--as if you could ride more than one at a time.

That said, when I got the call that my bike repair was done, that it came in MUCH cheaper than I'd anticipated, I was racing to get from work down to the bike shop before it closed to pick up my hybrid. Bonus: great weather meant a quick after-work ride on one of my favorite routes.

Happy Chickens...

Do happy chickens lay better eggs? Maybe, but what about that massive egg recall? Hundreds of millions of eggs are being recalled after a salmonella outbreak, find out more.

But the folks at the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair weren't alarmed, they say if anything, the recall underscores the benefits of buying local.

Here are the stories I filed for WTOP and for CBS News today.