Chilling at the first regroup...
Once again, the weather brings out the riders! The end of winter brought a record March crowd of over 2300 riders.
Cyclists showed the amazing solidarity of the bike community by dismounting and walking our bikes to honor a fellow cyclist. A reckless driver killed Joshua Ryan West and left his 7 year-old daughter without a dad. The sight of a sea of flashing lights walking quietly past the memorial site was poignant and moving. We hope that this highlights to cyclists and drivers alike how careful we need to be – one careless act behind the wheel of a multi-ton weapon leaves a terrible and preventable tragedy.
As usual, Bike Party riders brought great attitudes and a lot of people stepped up to help out, whether BIRDs or not. First-time volunteers made the ride great – we need a lot more of this! Thanks to all those who helped stop the ride to let cars through – many of you stepped up and made a lot of folks’ night better. We need more volunteers. Get Involved!
Memorial to Joshua West @ Lark
We need to share the road and ride legally and more courteously at all times. When we show respect to our car driving “brethren” it comes back in unexpected ways – including lots of cheerful honking and hollers of joy from area residents last night!
The start and regroups were amazing as usual, this time with more riders riding deep into the regroups, especially the one after the memorial on Lark. We did the best we could to get cyclists out of that regroup – even with a malfunctioning traffic light. Shout out to MoGo BBQ and QuickDog for their great eats at the starts and regroups. Please show your support with a Yelp review (MoGo & QuickDog)!!
Of course, not all is so rosy. We all need to be on the lookout to correct and remind inexperienced & thoughtless riders how to ride predictably, stay to the right, and let other traffic through. Remember, we learn through repetition, so your reminder to a fellow rider might be the one that finally teaches the lesson.
Victim of a Hit & Run
If anyone has seen the crash incident on Race Street, please comment on this thread with useful information and/or contact one of the persons involved. First-hand accounts of riders that actually saw the incident are needed immediately.
She has asked us to post this specially made email for this: feel.goodlost@hotmail.com
Please be respectful. IF anyone doesn’t like BP, etc. , please do not send hate mail to this person or this thread. No one deserves to be hit or have unkind words – especially after a harrowing ordeal. Thank you!
Please add your comments about how this ride was impactful, fun, etc. to us. This is our chance to not just hear about the ride but how each and every one of us can also “step up to the plate” as so many did last night and at every Bike Party.
If you have pics or video from last night please post them on the sjbikeparty flickr account. Keep in mind that for ethical and legal reasons, pics of the crash incident may not be appropriate to post. Thank you.
Timmypink
March 20, 2010
Hey everyone, we are looking for witnesses from last nights ride.
If you witnessed the White Chevy Cobalt hit the young lady on her bike before he sped off and hit the Silver Honda please contact me at thegreenhatt@aol.com. thank you
Hit & Run Victim on Race St
March 20, 2010
I was one of the many enthusiastic bikers that took to the road last night. Unfortunately, my ride was cut short while riding on Race St. when a car sped down the street, hit me, and took off.
First and foremost, I am grateful to have my life today. If anyone witnessed this, please email me your name and a contact number you can be reached at as well so I can get in contact with you if needed. Contact me at: feel.goodlost@hotmail.com
perducci
March 20, 2010
to the victim of the hit and run i say you take his ass to court! he have the legal right to take the lane.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21202.htm
furthermore:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21656.htm
i know this does not make lastnight’s events any less serious nor will it prevent an igorant driver from breaking the law and lashing out, however the more cyclist and POLICE OFFICERS who are educated the better off we will be.
saw some of the incident
March 20, 2010
I saw the incident after hearing the car hit the other car. When I looked at the scene, there was a mob of angry bikers, kicking, cursing, throwing their own bikes at the white car. Eventually pulling the guy out, and beating him up with a big group of people. I’m not sure what happened before, but I really think those young men acting out in that manner should get arrested.
That is unacceptable, and some of the men actually looked like they were enjoying the moment by smiling after kicking the guy.
Just very wrong… I’m sorry for the lady that got hit by the car, but that’s no way to be treated by anyone.
I really hope those men get arrested.
Bill
March 20, 2010
I’m very sorry to learn about this hit and run.
My expereince of last night’s Bike Pary was mostly positive. I was thrilled to see so many people step up to help direct cyclists at intersections.
At the memorial, many of us BIRDS had feared it would be difficult to get cyclists to walk, but from where I stood, it looked like over 99% of Bike Party attendees did so.
We still have too many people running red lights and/or not staying in the right lane. We need a new strategy (or at least some new tactics) do deal with that. These douchebags give a bad name, not only to Bike Party, but to cyclists in general and make it more difficult for us to get the respect we deserve from drivers, from City Hall, etc.
But on the whole, from what I saw, it was a good ride.
Bill
March 20, 2010
@Saw Some
I didn’t see it, but if the perp took off after hitting a cyclist, I’m glad some people caught him and kept him from escaping.
Dan
March 20, 2010
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28589791@N03/sets/72157623658987284/
Best wishes to the h&r victims. I hope this all resolves for the best.
Spliffer
March 20, 2010
@ = comments: #4, #5 & #6
Great comments. I would only disagree with the statement that the “maniacal” driver was roughed up.
Let me tell you. That dude was a tough guy and, from my assessment, a tenacious street fighter.
Your classic ‘junk-yard’ dog.
I recall that my first visual upon arriving on the scene, where folks had the ‘perp’ surrounded, a good half-dozen of them had a bloody noses, while he was clean as a whistle.
We were begging and screaming at folks to avoid vigilante justice and briefly got things to calm down.
We then started barking out orders for folks to call the cops. Take photos of him, his car, his girlfriend and license plate.
Emotions were running high and it boiled over when one bicyclist coaxed his girlfriend to open the driver side door and the cyclist removed the key from the ignition.
The raging driver attacked and bloodied another nose, but was swallowed up in a swarm of about a dozen cyclist who subdued him until the police arrived. I am sure he got a little roughed up but it wasn’t overdone — only enough to subdue an individual with a most truculent and irascible personality.
Billy Cool (Bill H)
March 20, 2010
As a new Bird, I was impressed by the crowd continually stopping when asked to let motorists at stop signs through.
Also very appreciated was the 2-3 people at the front of the crowds yelling “STOP” so it wasn’t a one person show.
I met the girl riding with the big poster of Joshua West (who was one of his close friends) and her friend Matt (one of Joshua’s best friends) who owns the bike Joshua was riding when he got hit and they were overwhelmed that SJBP and the crowd were honoring his life.
Also, it was great that bicyclists supported their fallen comrades on Race St. but beating up the drunken, dangerous, arrogant SOB still wasn’t right thing to do. I pulled a few angry bicyclists off the SOB and a few bicyclists with cooler heads managed to keep the situation under control. 1/2 of me was happy that he was getting punished but 1/2 of me realized that it just wasn’t right… we are not the law!
Lastly,@ hit and run…with the cops treatment and attitude towards you, it sounds like you were hit and run twice last night.
Ashley Cushman
March 20, 2010
Thank you all who came out to support his memory. I am a very close friend of his and I think its amazing what this community has done for his memory. It is misfortune on a night already bitter sweet some other asshole drive pulls and hit and run but it is important to remember to stay to the right.
Thank you.
If you want to support his daughter college fund you can do it with Pay Pal at JoshuaWestMemorialFund@gmail.com
Rapid Robert
March 20, 2010
I have to say I’m happy to hear that driver was caught. He deserved to be beaten to a bloody mess, hopefully loose some teeth, and certainly be left with pain in his knees for life for what he did. He is exactly the kind of asshole driver that killed the cyclist we were memorializing. He deserved to be made into an example, that would’ve generated the kind of national press attention that his behavior deserves.
So now we must be certain he gets the maximum sentence possible for what he did. Just like the guy who killed Joshua West.
[moderator note: the reckless "hit and run" driver did leave the scene of the crime at a high rate of speed swerving in and out of cyclists. if he didn't hit another car his identity would probably not be known. but no matter what you think someone "deserves it", it is up to us to not be violent. the "hit and run" driver should have been detained until police arrived. no more no less. further, it is unknown the injuries suffered by the cyclist, as she was described as being in a state of shock. it is also unknown if other cyclists were hit or injured by this driver]
iheartBP
March 20, 2010
There was an accident in front of Chase bank in Los Gatos, in which a young guy was riding too far to the left and by riding over the yellow double line ended up riding over some cement bumpers that were put there to discourage drivers from turning left from the nearby parking lot.
I witnessed him fly up over the handbars, landing chest first into the road, winding him. 911 was called. He wasn’t wearing a helmet…
It was an shining example of what could happen when riders fail to pay attention and choose to drift over double yellow lines and the such. The traffic laws are for everyone’s safety, not just cars, and shouldnt be scoffed at.
That said, it hope he is OK. It was scary to witness and a good reminder of how important it is to stay alert.
Greg Potwin
March 20, 2010
To the victim…I commend you for your clear mind and tactful approach to this situation. I am great-full that you are ok. We need more people like you in this world!
LaVics
March 20, 2010
http://liveridesj.tumblr.com/post/461819896/sjbp-march-2010-the-green-ride-the-act-of-all
http://liveridesj.tumblr.com/post/461844183/sjbp-march-2010-the-green-ride
The Green Ride was a mixed-bag for me. I witnessed a lot of foul stuff from riders this month. But, the walk-by on Lark was awesome. I just hope that as summers comes….the db’z don’t come along with it.
Greg Potwin
March 20, 2010
As far a keeping people in the right lane, I think we all need to constantly inform those who take a second lane to get back over. Also lead by example. I will try harder not to pass others by going into the next lane. It’s tough on a single speed to not make speed when I can and need to in order to make the next hill.
Wuss912
March 20, 2010
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/south_bay&id=7341039
jonathan krier
March 20, 2010
to the girl with the purple fixie;
you told me that i had a cool tattoo, and i told you that i was getting a new sleeve devoted to the karate kid. we talked briefly about little dogs and how you wanted one because they were oddly brillianty looking. i ran into another person infront of me because i was looking into your eyes while you smiled. you kept riding and got a rather large scrape on my shoulder. if you read this, i would love to take you out sometime. maybe get some falafel, a nice cup of coffee, or even check out the flea market. you should email me
jonathankriertran2@yahoo.com
Ian XstaC
March 20, 2010
I didn’t see the crash but i did see the beating after. it bothers me to see how quickly a bike ride can turn into total chaos and violence. the driver acted selfishly to leave the scene, and as a fellow cyclist this angers me. hovever the beatdown went a little too far in my opinion. i’m just glad everyone went home alive to ride another day!
Bill @ Gunston and Leigh
March 20, 2010
I have never ridden in a Bike Party ,but plan to do so soon. I live near the corner of Gunston & Leigh and watched the parade for about an hour. The Bird at this intersection was busting his ass ,sometimes to no avail. I fired off a couple highway flares which seemed to slow traffic, but not necessarily riders.
I was shocked that so many young people had neither lights nor helmets. Some of the lighted bikes were spectacular . A 3 dollar LED flashlight zip tied to the bars is cheap and works well. Highway flares
dropped in the center of an intersection are .33 cents at OSH. Some pretty cheap safety.
The SJPD outreach program might be a win-win with their need to restore their image and BP’s need for traffic control. After all, it’s a party not Critical mass. If everyone reads and adheres to”How We Ride” this whole thing could even more amazing.
See you out there, Bill
scott
March 20, 2010
well this was indeed a great ride for the most part…
except a cyclist who was hit by a crazy driver may end up not getting a fair shake from the SJ Police…. the guy who purposely hit a cyclist and fled the scene is a criminal, not a victim! this has got to stop! cyclists have rights!
we need to do a better job policing our own… and the SJ Police needs to be held accountable and do their job!
witnesses are needed ASAP to help the victim… otherwise nothing’s gonna happen to the “hit and run” aggressor! after hearing how she’s not been treated seriously by the SJ Police, she’ll probably need a lawyer to ensure her rights are kept and this cretin is brought to justice … any pro bono resources for her?
now bikers shouldn’t have intervened and gotten physical with the guy, but seeing how his blatant actions could have killed her and he didn’t give a damn, it is easy to see how pissed off other cyclists would be.
Hoping to join you
March 20, 2010
I was really happy when I read about San Jose Bike Party and hope to join the next time I get a chance. However, I had to drop off my brother in Willow Glen last night and was really discouraged by the behavior of the cyclists. His house is right in the path, and when I stopped (in the middle of the road because pulling over to the right was impossible) I was called names and cyclists began passing me on both sides, making it really unsafe to start moving again.
The bottom line is you need to keep your party under control. It’s in your best interests for a number of reasons, all captured in your own “How We Ride” section. 2200 people is a huge group. If you become a mob, I have no doubt the city will shut you down. And that would be a shame, because I believe in what you’re doing.
Witness
March 20, 2010
To the H&R victim,
First off, terribly sorry! Secondly, having been just inches in front of you at the time of the incident, I can honestly say that I’m more certain that this was intentional than I am about my own hair color. Hell, it may have just as easily been me if you weren’t behind me. Though I have to agree that a gang bang like that was probably not necessary, this whole thing was without a doubt the driver’s fault. Anyway, if you desperately need witnesses, I can be reached at: josh72390@sbcglobal.net.
Amy
March 20, 2010
I am interested in knowing what damage and injuries you acquired from the “hit and Run”? The driver may not have seen you and it may just be an accident. Many bikers were being forced into the middle by the rest of the group because they failed to follow our own rules of staying to the right. It is possible he did not realize he hit you with as many riders that were there. He did not hit you head on, correct? He did stop when he rear ended the silver car who had to slam on their brakes suddenly because of the large group and the way everyone was all over the street. As I understand it for my point it appeared to me that he started to get out of the car to check the accident but was then pulled the rest of the way out . His wife was very scared and has obviously become a victim just like him and you. I am sorry you were hit but are you sure you were not pushed into the car by other riders? This has happened before as we all want to ride by our friends and such and forget our own rules. He was a victim of the group as part of the group took on the mob mentality and beat him so an ambulance had to take him to a hospital. Did you go to a hospital? Definitely not at the time the police were there and definitely not by ambulance when the police were there. So who really was the victim of the night? The group members must obey the group rules and as you expect him to be held responsible for his actions should you not be held responsible for yours and the mob attack against him? This is a very sad issue that I think many people are blowing out of proportion. Josh you can’t be a witness if the accident happened behind you. You need to have seen it. Who is willing to identify the men who beat up this man like she is asking for witnesses for herself?
Lets all move forward and put this behind us and find a way to make the rides safer for both bikers and drivers. Bikes don’t own the road and cars don’t own the road. we need to rethink how we can be safe. Re-read the bikeparty regulations and remember you can still get a ticket for drinking and driving on a BIKE!
Rapid Robert
March 20, 2010
@ #12 & 19: Helmets do nothing to increase safety on a bike. Nothing. They might help in a narrow range of falls, but do nothing to help PREVENT a fall. In all the rides held by SJBP, and with all the falls on them, there’s apparently been no serious head trauma.
Safe riding technique, watching where you’re riding, and not riding STUPID like those blowing red lights and riding on the left or on the sidewalks is what prevents falls. I hope we can drop the automatic helmet mantra and focus instead on safe riding.
moo
March 20, 2010
@11 Rapid Robert,
I agree with you in that I am also happy to hear that the driver was caught, and I hope that he gets a punishment that’s appropriate for his crime. However, beating the driver into a bloody mess is not the type of “justice” that we should be seeking. Nor would national press about cyclists taking the law into their own hands and acting as judge, jury, and executioner generate much sympathy for the real victim, the cyclist who was attacked by the car.
The driver who killed Joshua West will see his day in court. Just as we were not calling for witnesses who witnessed that act to beat that driver on the spot, it’s inappropriate to condone beating of (or use of force beyond was required to detain) the driver of the white Cobalt.
I think the victim said it beautifully at the end of her post @2. We should follow her lead.
LaVics
March 20, 2010
Maybe it would be a good idea to have a quick SJBP meeting ASAP to discuss this HIT AND RUN and to see what we can do to help out.
Not everyone saw the accident, but everyone that rides with us does have a voice. We can all do our part to make sure that this doesn’t get swept under the rug, be it writing our city council representatives or doing something else along those lines.
All of us have family that live and work in this community and the rider that got hit could have been anyone of us. Expressing that fact to our friends and family can not only raise awareness to this incident, but it can create a bigger web of support and a stronger voice for us to be heard.
iheartBP
March 20, 2010
Rapid – I wrote #12
Agree with what you said about prevention and safe riding. i thought i mentioned that it was his bad judgment by going over the double yellow and his not being alert which caused the accident… ? I only mentioned the helmet as an observation. As far as I’m concerned, people can take whatever risks they choose with their bodies – use helmet or not…
Keep this in mind though: it is CA state law (since ’94) for minors under 18 to wear bike helmets.
Lets be Honest
March 20, 2010
There were several victims of the night besides yourself. Such as the man who other bikers beat and his girlfriend having to watch as the mob mentality that acted like critical mass scared her while he was beaten. I am sorry you feel you were “hit and run” on but I do not see it that way. I believe other riders forced your bike to the middle or you just happened to end up in the middle of the street. Unfortunately accidents happen and that is why they are called accidents.
The man stopped when he rear ended the silver car. The silver car slammed on their breaks to avoid some of the bike riders due to the way the group was all over the street instead of off to the right like the rules state. He went to get out of the car and the mob pulled him the rest of the way out. I believe he was going to check on the other driver. Did anyone else notice that the other driver was also scared to death as he saw the man being beaten by 20 plus bike riders.
This mob mentality and all of you who support it should think about it. This is not what Bike Party wants to be about, is it?
For those of you who are asking for witnesses against the alleged hit and run driver I will expect you will provide the police with the names of those individuals who beat this poor man and have caused mental distress on his girlfriend. If you want justice you must ask for justice for all not just those who you deem worthy. Do you know if he knew if he hit you or not? Everyone seems to be making allegations that he is guilty but our country is founded on innocent until proven guilty. It is common in large group of bike riders that a rider is pushed into a car either moving or parked.
Lets be honest…..who is the real victim here? The man who went to the hospital in an ambulance? the woman who had to witness her boyfriend being beaten by a group of men? A man scared to get out of his car until the police arrived because he could see the man who just rear ended him being beaten? All of these people are victims. And so are you if he truly hit you and ruined your bike under no fault of your own (however, you already admit riding in the wrong place). However, who knows if this man will even remember what happened if he was in and out of consciousness during the beating.
Lets move on and focus on safer rides in the future.
[Moderator's note: All opinions are welcome on this forum, but there's no such thing as an "accident" when one individual pilots a several-thousand-pound mass of steel into a rider on a 20-30-pound bike. Cyclists need to ride responsibly and following the law (which is in this riders' favor, as there is no stop or signal at Race & 280), and drivers need to control their vehicles - no excuses.]
Bike Friends!
March 20, 2010
@ Rabid Robert #23
Even though helmets won’t prevent you from falling, they will still add crucial protection in the case that someone does fall due to recklessness on their part or others. Sometimes a helmet is the deciding factor between life or death, and I see absolutely no reason why someone would ride without one.
Whether a person practices safe riding or not, bad things can happen. And if a head injury suffered could have been prevented by wearing a helmet, then there’s no one to blame but oneself.
gofnride
March 20, 2010
Wow, Robert that a pretty ignorant thing to say about helmets. There is a reason they are made and sold to consumers, they work. I work for a major helmet manufacture in the bay area and the statistics don’t lie they prevent cyclist from serious injuries.
I have seen a number of letters from our consumers that say that doctors have told them that if it wasn’t for your helmet you might be a around. That is one of the greatest things to hear from a consumer. “Your product saved my life!”
And your brain is one of your vital organs. You can’t do much with out it and I don’t believe they’ve mastered the brain transplant yet!
Everyone should be wearing a helmet! I consider myself to be an expert rider, and I still wear a helmet because you have no idea what experience others have on a bike around you. And to the fact that safe riding technique will help, is true, but there are reasons that they are called accidents. People can’t prevent accidents all the time.
From my past experience at bike party, most people don’t seam to know how to ride, so I’m going to take every step to make sure that I make it home. This might not be for everyone, but I believe that safety and rider technique go hand-in-hand.
eric wong
March 21, 2010
Me and my wife came out of a movie at the Pruneyard last night at around 11:30 pm. As we approach downtown Campbell, we had to slowed to a crawl as hundreds of bikers were riding on the wrong side of the street and heading towards us. We eventually decided to stop in the middle of the road since I deemed it to be too dangerous to continue.
Almost all the bikers were wonderful but there were clearly some jerks who muttered insults even though they were clearly on the wrong side of the road.
Here is a suggestion. Downtown Campbell is tricky since the main street is relatively narrow with parking on both side. It is actually relatively easy to divert the traffic away from downtown at the streetcar rail junction so the biker can use both lanes through downtown. The organizer can either do it formally with the police or just have volunteers wave the traffic to the downtown by-pass.
BTW: Me and my wife may actually join you guys in April!
ryan
March 21, 2010
let’s not forget what last night’s ride was about: it was about paying tribute to a fallen cyclist and cyclists who have died at the hands of automobiles throughout the South Bay, and about building a community of friends.
let’s not allow a few bad things to cast a shadow over what was mostly a great evening. I’d say the ride was pretty positive. I didn’t see too much drinking and I didn’t see anyone “trashed,” which made me happy. On a personal level, I caught up with a lot of friends of whom the busy life in our valley often prevents me from doing, and I am grateful to SJBP for that.
MOTORISTS and CYCLISTS alike: CA law mandates that the road be shared by cars and bikes. the road does not belong to either group, it belongs to both equally. that means that, even if motorists hate what we’re doing, our rights as cyclists must be respected. But that also means the we as cyclists, whether on our own, in small groups, or at Bike Party, have a FUNDAMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY to uphold our side of the deal and those not sharing the road don’t deserve to be on it.
I’m pretty certain the angry driver who hit the poor young lady on her bike on race street was stuck on the freeway offramp at BIRD/280 beforehand. Whatever you think about the incident, it needs to be recognized that northbound traffic on Race Street has no stop sign there (while the exit ramp does) and anyone using northbound Race Street has the right-of-way there, be it automobile or bicycle. We absolutely did not need to stop there and no one should believe that we did. I would also like to point out (and give a shout-out to) the BIRDS, and super-BIRD scott, who did stop bikes to let these cars go, even when we didn’t have to, an example of SJBP trying to work with motorists and not against them.
To the HIT and RUN victim: I’ve been hit before. I was blamed by the driver and initially the driver and I were both at fault. It tore my MCL in my knee. This was 7 years ago and I still have aches occasionally. You are one lucky person.
My ADVICE: go to the doctor ASAP. get a full examination. go back in three months. GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING. go online and start searching for lawyers. tons of san jose-based lawyers will give you a free over-the-phone or e-mail consultation. I’ve taken advantage of this before and it works well. lawyers get a bad rap but there are some amazing ones out there. go to the police station in person and file a report of a hit-and-run. give your full story. in fact, right it down beforehand so you have all the details at the station. don’t rush into a civil suit but be sure to pursue it. mine was a success (settled out of court, actually) and judges are a lot friendly than the police. and please, any pain you experience in the next month should be a prompt trip to the doctor. (and keep riding bike party!)
EVERYONE else – thank you for stopping at lights, helping at intersections, and being cool. for those who don’t ride “how we ride,” I thinks it’s time we cast you aside by creating some difficult routes that you can’t handle when you’re drunk, make so that if riding with BP is worth it to you, you’ll come back the next month and ride properly (i’m thinking of getting you lost in some rural part of south county with no route map because you didn’t check the website first, no lights because you’re an idiot and we’re in a rural area so there’s no street lamps so you can’t see how lost you are, and no tools to fix a flat because all you packed was beer). Bike Party is supposed to be inclusive, but I don’t want to include anyone who’s going to get this shut down.
Other than that, it was a nice route and a beautiful night.
0-0
March 21, 2010
This was my first SJBP. I was told by my co-worker and I saw part of the previous ride.
About the hit and run(am glad she is ok and that it was not worst), I am very surprised it doesn’t happen more due to the amount of idiots riding around. I would not insults other cyclists by calling them,one.
Also because there were idiots in their cars instead of biking.
I saw idiots getting baked, what is it with weed that the general public viewed as ok?
I saw idiots drinking. Ever heard of DUI?
Those are the major items that will make us reminisce of the SJBP.
I thanked all the volunteers(birds) that I rode passed because without them the day would be a complete lost to me. I also thanked every vehicle that gave me space or waited until I passed.
That being said, at the section where we were asked…sorry, told to get off our bikes to walk was lost to me as well. I am sadden for your lost but sadly forcing/commanding that others get off their bikes to show respect to the deceased confused me. I did it out of respect but did not appreciated being TOLD to do so. It altered my feelings slightly.
Anyhow, I hope this becomes a San Jose tradition but with big difficulty of enforcing the unwanted? I just don’t see a longevity.
Rapid Robert
March 21, 2010
@ Gofnride, you have a vested commercial interest getting more people to wear helmets. It’s a commercial thing. The focus on helmets as the end-all and be-all of bike safety is, in my opinion with 40 years riding experience, the biggest scam ever perpetrated on cyclists.
There are many reasons not to wear a helmet but the biggest one is that it’s just not necessary the vast, vast, vast majority of the time. Witness the thousands and thousands of rider miles on SJBP alone without any benefit from any helmet (except maybe keeping the head warm).
Wear one if YOU like, but don’t push them on anybody else. Helmet requirements prevent people, especially those between 13 and 18 from choosing to ride their bikes. Helmet requirements by bike clubs isolate them from everyday riders. Helmets encourage riders to ride riskier, and that promotes falls. Helmets worn improperly, or with metal attached on top increase neck injuries. And unknowingly defective helmets offer a false sense of protection.
I agree that helmets do the job they’re intended to do, when hit as they’re designed to be hit. I have nothing against helmets. I have everything against helmet REQUIREMENTS and peer pressure tactics to push them.
Spliffer
March 21, 2010
I am actually surprised by several comments attempting to justify that maniacal driver’s behavior last night and claiming he was also a victim.
The operator was “visibly enraged” and acting out of that state of mind, he was attempting to carry out mayhem on the streets.
He endeavored to use his automobile as a weapon against any and all bicyclists in his path.
He never targeted any single individual cyclist. He just saw red and lost control of his faculties akin to road-rage. I see a strong case, in this instance, for “attempted vehicular man-slaughter”.
How do you justify driving a car on a city street at high rate of speed crowded with bicyclists. The maniac’s car blew by my group in a blur and I instantly felt a sudden “chill of DANGER”.
I did not sense the presence of a car but a 1300 to 1500 pound deadly missile accelerated at highway speed on a city street aiming to mow down any and all bicyclists who — in some instances — where just inches away from the raging and maniacal operator’s vehicle.
One lady beside me let out a primal scream for her friends to bail out and broke into loud uncontrollable sobs when she saw the bicyclist got hit and go down.
Another guy close by was screaming: “Oh God, oh God, I think he got my friend Tanner!”
I felt so sick and braced myself for my worst nightmare.
Believe me, it was a horrific experience to watch that situation unfold in real-time.
The anguish and helplessness was palpable — not knowing how it would end or play out, nor what the eventual body count would be.
It’s so sad that a fellow human could be so heartless — so affected — as to “willfully and wantonly” use his automobile against vulnerable bicyclists.
It’s analogous to using a “gunship” against villagers armed with mere sticks and stones!
I am surprised that just 24 hours after the incident, folks are saying that this obviously “affected” and mentally deranged individual is a… victim?
And that we should should make nice and let bygones be bygones.
That maniac should not be allowed to legally operate a vehicle.
Such sociopathic behavior should never be excused nor cavalierly dismissed — as some would have us do — because I assure you we have not heard, nor seen the last of that maniac’s despicable actions!
I would contend that he is a fruit from the same poisoned tree as the guy who took out Joshua West.
How ironic our encounter with a raging road maniac — bent on destroying lives — given the focus of last night’s memorial ride!
The lesson here is that folks need to follow the “BIKE PARTY RULES OF THE ROAD” as detailed in: How we Ride.
We should take heed that an encounter with one maniac has the potential to unleash serious mayhem — inflicting multiple casualties — on groups of bicyclists any and everywhere.
Lets profit from this experience, my brethren, so history doesn’t repeat itself.
I say a prayer for peace and safety on the streets for all my bicycling brethren…
BIKE PARTY FOREVER!
Rapid Robert
March 21, 2010
As many of us as possible should send an email or otherwise contact the District Attorney and demand that this driver be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. He tried to kill people because other people GOT IN HIS WAY. He is why we build prisons.
scott
March 21, 2010
@spliffer – these are just my opinions as a rider, nothing to do with me as a sjbp BIRD.
The main person who is saying that road rage driver is a “victim” is in fact a person purportedly called “Amy.”
This is just my personal gut instinct. But I do believe “Amy” is in fact the road rage driver himself. I don’t mean to be sexist, but I don’t know any woman that talks/writes like that. Women almost always have tons of common sense and this writing is more like a “justification” of someone who is deep, deep into denial. Which means he’ll probably be a repeat offender. A car with an enraged driver can be a lot more deadly than a gun.
It is just pure luck that many people were not killed by his road rage behavior. Victim? He (Amy) has got to be kidding. Witnesses to back up his claim or any cyclists that saw the car blast by need to make their case.
If the cyclists are in fact correct, I do hope a lawyer offers quality pro bono assistance. If the car driver is correct, I’ll offer an apology.
ryan
March 21, 2010
@ o-o,
I’m glad you had a good time.
We planned out the walk on Lark Avenue to be done as a community of bikes. Because not everyone checks the website before the ride (unfortunately), and because the walk came so quickly after the hill down winchester, it was necessary to have volunteers there to help make this possible. in the minds of most people I’ve spoken with, the memorial was a big success, and I am glad that BP has so many great volunteers, though we always need more. Newcomers and old-timers alike are encouraged to step up and lend a hand. The more people working on this, the better.
gumby
March 21, 2010
i would have to say that i agree with scott…i think “amy” must be the driver or a friend of the driver…we were just ahead of the incident…but we saw the car waiting at the intersection just before honking and angry about having to wait for bikes who were legally traveling down race street…we witnessed the ugly aftermath and spoke with several people who say the driver was swerving to hit cyclist…it’s insane to think that anyone would justify this driver’s behavior…unfortunately it sounds like sjpd, in typical sjpd style, tried to make the cyclist victim feel responsible simply because sjpd doesn’t like having sj bike party in their city…as i’ve said before, sjbike party people should contact city officials and the sjpd and voice their concerns about how riders are treated by sjpd…especially after something like this…i am writing a letter to the mayor, city officials, and chief of police to voice my concerns…sjpd should be there to support sj bike party and keep us safe and keep the “bad” cyclists and drivers in line…sorry, it’s their job, like it or not…we’re not going away…it would have been nice if cyclist could have just held the driver until authorities got there, but unfortunately too many people became an angry mob…people who were trying to break things up actually became victims…
to the driver “aka amy” you are going to lose this one…you were in the wrong no matter how you lie…you need help and honestly you probably deserved the ass-kicking that you received…you are lucky it wasn’t worse…i know if i were the one you hit, my husband would not have gone easy on you, nor would the guys i was riding with…you are actually lucky you didn’t hit me!
all on a night that was intended to be a memorial…wow!
[moderator note: whether you think someone "deserved" it or not, noone should advocate or participate in violence. we do note a car driving in a reckless fashion repeatedly into the path of a stream of cyclists is downright dangerous for all involved and would surely seem intentional to other cyclists]
Timmypink
March 21, 2010
@12 this is not the accident we are talking about.. please read before you proceed.
testrides
March 21, 2010
Please keep the conversations going regarding the accident… if someone can post the email addresses, etc. that “gumby” and “Rapid Robert” talks about, letting officials know that cyclists have rights is important.
Going forward, if you do not volunteer yet, why not? We are run by volunteers and we need volunteers of all ages and types of riders: http://www.sjbikeparty.org/who-we-are
Volunteers are needed during the ride and between rides on many activities. You are invited to join any test ride or open volunteer meeting or email us at sj bike party to learn more.
Ben
March 21, 2010
About the driver..
He swerved around me and my friends coming off 280 after telling cars in front of him in line to go and not care about the bikes… he was OBVIOUSLY angry and he INTENTIONALLY swerved in and out of the stream of bicyclists and a very high speed until he hit the silver car ahead.
He may have hit 1-3 cycles, but he was very clearly not caring if he took out dozens.
You’re wrong, Amy.
b5125125
March 21, 2010
Road with the wifey this time and she had a little case of the jelly legs but she manage to stay up right the whole ride. Finishing it off with some tacos can’t say this enough thank you sjbp volunteers. I’ll be working on getting my wing soon.
moo
March 21, 2010
@28, Lets be Honest -
First of all, I didn’t witness the incident nor what happened immediately afterwards, so I can’t comment on the actual event or the intent of any of the parties involved. However, I don’t understand why you are writing that the woman who is initially been hit was wrong to ride where she was riding. Since I did not witness the incident, I am assuming she was riding somewhere inside the single northbound lane on Race Street and not on the middle section (there doesn’t seem to be much dispute about this). IF so, there is nothing wrong with her being in the middle of the lane. See http://www.cyclelicio.us/2010/california-driver-manual-and-bicyclists/ and http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffdl37.htm for reference. Specifically, this quote from the DMV page seems to apply:
—–
When to Take the Traffic Lane
If there is no shoulder or bicycle lane and the traffic lane is narrow, ride closer to the center of the lane. This will prevent motorists from passing you when there is not enough room. You should also take the traffic lane when you are traveling at the same speed as the traffic around you. This will keep you out of motorists blind spots and reduce conflicts with right-turning traffic.
—-
While I didn’t witness the separate accident with the white car running into the silver car, I did see where the cars were stopped when I passed by the scene. The silver car was stopped on Race Street just south of Auzerais Avenue just before the right turn lane starts. For bicycles were not turning right on Auzerais Ave, the proper path is for them to be in the middle lane, which is the only lane that continues northbound on Race Street. It’s proper for the bicycles to shift from the right to the middle to do this. In any case, rear-end collisions are usually the fault of the car in the back, since all drivers are expected to maintain a safe following distance even if the car in front stops short.
I agree with you that mob mentaltiy is not what Bike Party should be about (see my response to Rapid Robert above), and that the courts, not riders, are responsible for deciding innocence or guilt and specifying punishment.
One more question in the spirit of “being honest” – in reading your comment I can’t tell if your beliefs are based on actual first-hand observations or if you’re just making assumptions. Can you clarify? I’ve made it clear in my post exactly what I saw and what I’m basing on what I’ve heard. It would be useful for everyone else to do the same.
To the Girl Who was in the accident with the car
March 21, 2010
Hello to the girl who was in the accident with the car. Have you gone to the police for the guys insurance information? His insurance should cover your damages and injuries which might be the best way to handle this issue.
Thanks.
LaVics
March 21, 2010
Link to all San José City Council Elected Officials and Mayor: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/council.asp
If you are unsure of what District you live in and whom you should contact, here is a link to find out what District you live in: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/planning/data/council_dist/council_districts_map.pdf
I would suggest everyone writing Mr. Oliverio, being that this happened in his District…even if you don’t live in that area.
LaVics
March 21, 2010
Can someone draft a generic letter to an official that we could copy and paste our info into?
scott
March 21, 2010
As a public service we should keep a log of the reckless (accidental to purposeful) behavior that drivers are placing on the bike party community.
This “starter list” is just meant to highlight “only” five (5) instances on bike party events, test rides to the fri night events. I know we can get this list very long indeed… the local police and politicians need to know and ACT to protect us.
You may post aggressive behavior here of instances when you biked alone (which is even more dangerous) or on bike party (or other) events on this thread.
Here’s the start, please add to it in your repostings (if my memory is slightly off on the ride, please feel free to correct me, thanks):
1) white Chevy Cobalt on this month’s “Green” ride swerving in and out of cyclists at high rate of speed
2) guys in red (make/model?) truck on “Lightrider” ride in ESSJ swerving into riders passengers throwing objects at riders.. they came back 2x after the first pass!
3) white Lexus LS400 in November Ride on Blossom Hill & Almaden Expy — very few riders, in the bicycle lanes, over a one mile stretch of two roads!
4) white Ranger pickup truck swerving into a test ride on Old Oakland Rd (1 of 2 separate instances on same test ride) on an almost empty 4 lane road on a Saturday morning
5) black BMW 750Li yelling at test riders on Almaden Rd as she passed us almost hitting Honda Accord in oncoming lane (this month’s sat test ride)
gumby
March 21, 2010
thanks lavics for the link…if you are going to contact city officials, please include all districts in your correspondence since sj bike party rides all over san jose…be sure to include the mayor and chief of police-
each official contact email is their first name.last name @sanjoseca.gov
chuck.reed@sanjoseca.gov or mayoremail@sanjoseca.gov
chief of police…
rob.davis@sanjoseca.gov or chief.sjpd@sanjoseca.gov
san jose WANTS to be a bike friendly city and they have made GIANT steps in this direction…sjbike party can help!!!
btw- agreed that no one “deserves” an ass-kickin…sorry about that…but he does deserve to go to jail and lose his license…he should have to ride a bike for punishment…haha…that would be a reward!!!
thanks to everyone who tried and even risked getting hurt to get the situation under control!!!
gumby
March 21, 2010
to add to scott’s list:
6) Green ride-Old beat up white motorhome/overhead camper RVish vehicle hauling 6×10 trailer with some kind of equipment tried to hit cyclists on the corner of woz and almaden at the start…we tried to stop him and hit on the side of his passenger door to get his attention…he sped off up the curb and nearly hit several riders…10 minutes later he came back to where we were still waiting for friends and he parked and got out of his vehicle with a massive 3 foot chain and came at us swearing and threatening to hurt all of us…we called the police and eventually he backed off and again tried to hit us by going up on the curb as he sped off…he nearly missed several more riders…his license was hard to see…started with an A…we also have a blurry picture…