(Photo © J.Maus/BikePortland)
Here’s the bike news and views that caught our eyes this week:
Does punishing bad drivers even work? “We cannot address fundamental human failings by changing the law or proposing more punishment for failure while the underlying task that we are asking drivers to perform remains so difficult. … The way to address the problem of putting human beings in charge of any dangerous activity is to limit how often they have the opportunity to make catastrophic errors.” That’s David Hembrow in a post highlighted (and disputed) by commenter Paul in the ‘couve on Friday.
What’s with people who drive BMWs? Slate’s Department of Complaints offers up four theories on “Why BMW Drivers Are Jerks to Cyclists.”
iPods while biking: A person riding a bike playing music or podcasts over headphones can hear more ambient noise than a person in a car with the radio off, according to RideOn magazine. (Not that that’s a high standard.)
Bike planning podcast: Brainy Bicycle Transportation Alliance advocates Rob Sadowsky and Carl Larson visit the Sprocket Podcast to talk about the BTA’s new bike-project priority list.
Portland active transportation, envisioned: I’ve never seen a better visual explanation of what exactly the City of Portland’s active transportation office does than the one in this new brochure.
Sun glare excuse strikes again: In Palo Alto, a man who drove his truck into a bike lane while under the influence of meth and with a suspended license and then struck and critically injured a 12-year-old boy wasn’t charged with any criminal wrongdoing. He told police the sun was in his eyes and he could not see the boy.
Going the wrong way in bike lanes: Ulises Tamayo, 20, died in Pasadena last week after hitting a teenager who was pedaling in the opposite direction, against traffic. Tamayo suffered massive head injuries when they collided.
Seattle’s guerrilla bikeway: A team of anonymous Seattlites wanted a protected bikeway, so in the dead of night, they installed one in 10 minutes for $350. The city removed it – then built a permanent version three months later.
Seattlites prioritize transportation: 68 percent of Seattle voters are “very concerned” about traffic and transportation, making it the top local issue in a new survey. I don’t know of a similarly comprehensive recent survey in Portland.
CitiBike product placement? If so, we’ll endorse it. Bruce Willis rolled right into the Letterman set last week.
Bikeshare sponsorship pays: Thanks in part to constant attention like the above, consumer opinion of CitiBank’s “cares for customers” and “trustworthiness” tendencies has jumped 14 percentage points in one month.
A good life: “Bicycle Man” Moses Mathis of Fayetteville, N.C., dies at 76 after fixing up and giving away bicycles to thousands of children.
Why cars are history: Former New York Times Detroit bureau chief Micheline Maynard is Kickstarting an ebook that’ll explain why Americans are using cars less.
Dead freeway lessons: The NYT looks at the demise, at least for now, of the Columbia River Crossing and concludes that “the entire Pacific Northwest is developing its own unique transportation profile.”
“Zombridge”? The governors of Washington and Oregon both swear the CRC is dead, but “CRC officials are still pursuing the state and federal permits needed” for the highway-rail megaproject, Willamette Week reports.
Bikes in art museums: The Portland Art Museum’s Cyclepedia exhibit leads the way in a story on this new trend.
DUI lockups in Washington: Gov. Inslee just signed a law that would require arrest and jail time for anyone charged with a second impaired driving offense.
Pre-concert ride goes bad: Most of us have gotten a flat at a bad time. But if you happen to be Dave Matthews, you’ll have an easier time hitching a ride.
Rapha wins big in the Tour de France: Rapha is a UK-based company, but their North American headquarters is right here in Portland. The company continued their exciting growth with a big win in the Tour de France thanks to their sponsorship of Chris Froome and Team Sky.
The suburban ponzi scheme: One of the most fascinating new voices in the urban planning world, Chuck Marohn of Strong Towns, gets the six-minute Streetfilms treatment in your video of the week:
If you come across a noteworthy bicycle story, send it in via email, Tweet @bikeportland, or whatever else and we’ll consider adding it to next Monday’s roundup.