City of Flagstaff vs Cyclist: Part 2

Posted on: February 3, 2010 at 11:33 am
Author: Gnome
Categories: Bicycle Advocacy, Video, Where's Randy?
Comments: 67 responses

67 Responses to “City of Flagstaff vs Cyclist: Part 2”

big jonny Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:58 pm
If you are in the bike lane, you can be overtaken by a margin of less than three feet. So, it follows that if you are out of the bike lane, you will be afforded that same three foot margin?

This is insane.
Brad Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Glad to see the cops and town are out to protect people and interpret their own meaning of the law…what a bunch of fucktards
el jefe Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Flagstaff just went down a few rungs on my list of places to end up…
big jonny Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:17 pm
This is a cut & paste of what I wrote on Facebook regarding this same video.

“When you overtake a cyclist and almost impact that same cyclist with your vehicle, the proper response is a denial of that cyclist’s rights under Arizona Law. Good work on this video. The record does not lie: 1) speeding, 2) failure to yield, 3) fabrication of physical threat, 4) in furtherance of point #3, if you were physically threatened, why would you leave the safety of your vehicle and confront the cyclist on the sidewalk? The only conclusion one can reach is that the bus operator was not physically threatened during this encounter.”

If you care to follow the FB convo, I believe this link will direct you correctly: facebook.com.
dave Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:34 pm
You know, an Uzi fits in a water bottle cage pretty good.

Thermite grenades fit in a handlebar bag with room to spare for snacks.

Jersey pockets will hold maybe six clips of ammo.

Legally, you can cut a shotgun barrel down to sixteen inches. Wigh a folding stock, you can sling it just fine when you ride.

A Kabar knife will ride on your frame with a couple zipties and some duct tape.

Self defense is still legal in most (some*) jurisdictions.

*For now. At least while that Kenyan goatherding motherfucker is still preoccupied with trying to tax us into oblivion.
dave Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Oh, and the audio on my Intardwebnet movie hickamaboober done took a shit. If there’s words and stuff that matter, ‘preciate someone letting me know.
bikepunk Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:38 pm
fuck you dave.
dave Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:44 pm
You wouldn’t like it, Skippy. I’d just lie there and sweat like your Mom.
ColonelSandersRetired Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 2:46 pm
“You wouldn’t like it, Skippy. I’d just lie there and sweat like your Mom.”

Sorry to say but I am soooooo going to use this someday.

Sucks I got it from dave.
dave Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 3:03 pm
I got a million.
mikey Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Most excellent Jersey Shore humor, lads. Stay classy.
Ray Walker Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Awesome vid. Based on the outcome of that video, for my safety, from here on out I’ll be sure NOT to ride in the almost always semi-obstructed bike lanes and take up a full car lane on my bike in Flg. I’m tired of getting buzzed, and based on their legal reasoning, trying to ride in the bike lane would only put me at fault for getting sideswiped and/or hit.
E Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 5:01 pm
Hey BGR:

Thanks for taking steps (a lot of them, it turns out, and good ones) to make Flagstaff safer for everyone.

Instead of just, you know, lying back and engaging in childish fantasies involving firearms and contributing nothing like some lazy dipshit.

E
cary Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 5:22 pm
shut the fuck up dave. talk all big and shit motherfucker, when the real deal goes down in your neighborhood you’ll be crying.
little bitch, fucking know what I’m talking about!
guns and shit…you are a coward!
el jefe Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 5:38 pm
He’s on his nightly bender. He gets extra angry and talks all tough when he’s hitting the bottle of Beam…
judi Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 5:39 pm
big jonny – is that your facebook page?
judi Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 5:50 pm
i just watched the video and i agree. insane.
john Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 6:13 pm
This is why things are so backwards here… everybody thinks they know the laws. The entitlement is unbelievable. These are the people that get killed. Scary.
big jonny Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Judi, no, that’s Dean Hill’s page, not mine.
deejaybee Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:23 pm
I watched this vid and then went on a ride and contemplated it.

This scenario happens every second of every day in every city in North America, for you Americans that includes Canada..

Flagstaff city is to be at fault for not clearing the bike lane, that is where the problem starts.

As far as arguing with a bus driver, dude you might as well talk to a 2×4 piece of wood. The guy is a bus driver!! (unionized at that) He is not doing that job part to become a brain surgeon, same goes for supervisor dude. He was a bus driver also for 20 years and he got promoted!! They have arrived at life and this is it for them till retirement.

If it’s not some bus driver than it is a semi driver and if not that its some asshole in his F250 with smoking a butt and talking on his cell phone.

There you go, there is my rant. Fuck!! as a cyclist we all go through it here in North America. Live with it, North America is a car culture…

We should all move to Europe where cyclist are all treated with respect..except for England.
Sid Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:42 pm
F Flaggstaff – if you email them include the Flagstaff Convention & Visitors Bureau at cvb@flagstaffaz.gov – they don’t care unless they think they are going to lose money.
sean Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Just sent a few emails to the police chief, mayor’s office, and city council bashing them for having a bunch of morons providing public services. ALSO THREW IN A FEW “SHAME ON YOU”‘S. Evan nees to go back to bus drivers’ school.
mikey Says:
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:21 pm
Sid speaks truth… I’m not a resident, but I will email the CVB and tell them the stories out of their town are scaring my spandex-clad, craft beer-swilling away… That’s dollars lost, chumps. Speak a language they understand.
Andy Says:
February 4th, 2010 at 6:37 am
Very sad to see something like this, especially after the tragedy that happened up in Flag last year with the trash truck. Being from Flag makes this even worse for me because it it supposed to be such a Peace and Love town. Sending a few emails as we speak. The worst part is that nothing is likely to happen unless a few more of us get hit or killed.
-dan Says:
February 4th, 2010 at 7:47 am
Cyclists are second class citizens in America. The “me first – get out of my way” culture must change before cyclists will ever see respect. But it is much bigger than that.

The people of America are lethargic and lazy, note the bus driver and the other two men were overweight. This lifestyle is shoved down the people’s throats every time they turn around. The bombardment of get rich quick advertising and instant this or that fosters – or sometimes rewards – a sedentary life. Unfortunately the masses rely on comfortable sofas and big screen TV’s for entertainment which ingrains self-entitlement.

When you are by yourself all the time, sitting alone with your TV, hating your boss and having no experiences outside of the job you hate, there is never a time to interact with another human being. Without personal interaction, it is impossible to have concern or compassion for another.

Instant gratification is the will of the people. Change won’t happen with laws, fines or conversation. Until the will of the people is no longer “get out of my way”, it will remain this way. You see it taking place everyday, whether it be in cars, in line at the store, or any other place where waiting is prevalent.

I wish I had a solution, but violence is not an option. Violence is a primal form of instant gratification, and it is also the most harmful.

Bravo to Randy for keeping his cool. Good job.
Michael Says:
February 4th, 2010 at 8:20 am
You can also submit a story to the Arizona DailySun, http://www.azdailysun.com

It also may not hurt to go to the following sites and email the three mayoral candidates here in town. Primary is March 9.
http://saraformayor.com/ – Incumbent
http://www.keltyformayor.com/ – Former City Council member
http://www.haughey4mayor.com/Haughey4mayor/index/index.html – Current Council member and former police officer, although not in Flagstaff.
yurib Says:
February 4th, 2010 at 9:00 am
Emails sent. Good work Randy on keeping your cool. Have you thought about contracting the Tucson Bike Lawyer to see if he can assist or advise?
littlejar Says:
February 4th, 2010 at 10:44 am
Flagstaff is not a place to end up. I went there, and was gone in a week – disgusted by the ‘playground of Phoenix’ status that it has, its streets choked with diesel fumes not only from commercial trucks but people drive to the bar in a dually turbo diesel – and that might be the capital of people doing that because the percentage of big old dually diesel drivers is very high there. If you like being in a region where there is only one type of tree – Ponderosa pine, and people burn the pine wood and further stink up the air. My throat was sore in Flagstaff. Toxic.

Tucson is a shithole and I kissed the Tucson dirt when I retreated from F-staff.
Snake Hawk. Says:
February 4th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
bgr definitely fucking ruled that. nice, rando.
Fire at Will Says:
February 4th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
Come on, there’s two types of trees.
littlejar Says:
February 4th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
I just read through the comments again – this is a message for Dave.
Dave – study some law. What he did was correct. He gathered evidence as the idiots were spewing their fat fucktard nonsense. He laughed at them instead of getting mad, and posted a video showing who was clearly in control. I’ve had so many interactions like this, but I would have bailed and not bothered to talk to the police. Fuck them. I also have never been savvy enough to gather evidence like this, but I’M LEARNING HOW TO BE.

I’ve had this “I feel threatened” shit pulled on me before. Basically, to question fucked up behavior makes them feel threatened, because big bad employed person carries their own ‘get out of my way’ authority.

Guns sure do have a place, but not in any interaction with municipal employees. It’s just plain stupid to talk like that. Study some law or end up behind bars just for carrying a gun the wrong way. And, for real – why even bring up such foolishness? Guns and bombs? NO! Video, audio, and photos. EVIDENCE rules the day.
Hellbelly Says:
February 4th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
A few comments on this post…

Nice job on handling & documenting the entire conflict BGR.

The real immediate problem as previously stated is the COF not clearing the bike lane of snow. It’s not just Butler Ave. that is a problem.

I find myself defending the fat pick-up driving individual from some preceding rants. Lazy and redneck need not always be associated with that profile. Some of us need big ass gas-guzzling trucks to get from our rural settings to work (by that I mean un-plowed dirt roads)and for work (any construction trade). The fat from lazy need not always be the case, in mine lately, it’s the fat from 5 x 12 hours of work (to compensate for short-staffing due to the current economic crisis). Bong hits and beers are about the only thing that rolls after 6pm, not a fucking trainer.

Ignorance is the big problem and you can be of any shape or vehicle to own that virtue. Making Flag more bike friendly should be a common goal. Im sure a barrage of letters to the editor about this issue from a riders perspective wouldn’t hurt.

Bike commuters also need to follow the rules of the road to build & maintain a better reputation. I watched some dude just yesterday track-standing right in between a left turn lane and a thru-lane at a light. No signal and no eye contact with drivers, just spacing-out & track standing, making drivers guess his next move. Horns and obscenities abounded. WTF?

Deejay Bus Driver Hater: Don’t knock it till you try it. I find it very relaxing driving 13 tons of fun. It fit 48 brain surgeons in it before the conversion.
Husky Midget Says:
February 4th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
Drop bars – not K-bars. Is K-bar like a clif bar but with special K in it? I’d like a case please.
I would be so pissed if we lost BGR to a bus – or anything for that matter. Stay safe out there. Maybe squeeze in a few extra safety meetns just to make sure everyone is safe enough.
Today a US Postal box truck lightly tugged his airhorn right as he was approaching me. I had music, knew he was there, and still got scared shitless. I nearly crossed up the bars and almost hit a parked car – then almost careened into his dually death rubber. Drivers and society are taking a big sailor dive in the common sense department.
dave Says:
February 4th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
That shit NEVER happens to me. Whatever. But spend a couple hours on my wheel in this stagnant little cesspool of inbreeding and I’m betting you’ll come away amazed at how much we have in common.

And the “uzi, thermite, kabar” reference was nothing more than a (hopefully) harmless shoutout the the Spike Bike stories. What, you’ve never read them? You should. Cathartic as fuck and deadon to the topic.

I know that famous liberal tolerance is only for folks who parrot your views, so I guess I’m expected the shut the fuck up now. Or something. Whatever. Rubber side down anyway, y’all.
The City of Flagstaff Hates Bicyclists @ Arizona Bike Law Blog Says:
February 4th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
[...] discussion here. [...]
pirata Says:
February 4th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
Some good damn points Hellbelly.

The vehicle isn’t the real problem, its the brainpower (or lack of) at the controls.

I’ve had dualies play the spyhunter move by blasting me with a big old cloud of exhaust, and had another guy pull over and give our soaked asses a bailout option after getting caught out in nowhereville in an apocalyptic supercell system that just continued to blow up and fan out. Saved us a bunch of wet, lightning/hail/hell miles by tossing the bikes in the back and our soggy lycra clad asses in the cab.

Douchebag drivers are a threat to anyone in their path–cyclists, pedestrians, pets, wildlife and other cars…

K-Bar is where we used to go to buy beer in high school. They would serve anyone and the shit was cheap.
Randy Says:
February 5th, 2010 at 8:08 am
Here is the letter I just sent to the American League of Cycling.

Hello,
My name is Randy Mason. I’m a full time car free commuter in Flagstaff, AZ a “cycling friendly community”. Recently I’ve been involved in a incident with a City Transit bus. I wish I could say this was the first time, but it was just the first time I was able to catch the bus and document most of the incident by a voice recorder. A local attorney also stepped forward and was able to formally request the video tapes from the bus, 6 cameras in total. Please take the time to watch the video I have created using these two forms of media.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8imU93A7mLk

I was Cited for disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace. The driver was told he did nothing wrong. I was informed by 3 bus officials and 3 cops on the scene that I did not have the right to 3 feet (a.r.s. 28-735) . After the first video concerning this incident the case was reviewed by a supervising officer at the flagstaff police department. Concluding his investigation he notified me that they would be sending out a memo to all enforcement officers. He then provided to inform me that after discussing the incident with the city attorneys office, they have decided that since I was occupying a bicycle lane the 3 foot law does not apply.

I went to the Flagstaff Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting last night to get on the agenda for the next meeting. One of the main topic of discussion was actually about filling out your form to reapply to be a Cycling Friendly Community. I was not allowed to get on the next agenda, and it was suggested to me, by the Director Martin Ince, that I wait for their local revisions to the cycling code to go though before pushing for re-education of city employees and police. They have been trying rewrite this code for over 2 years, but believe that it could happen as soon as 2-3 months from now.

Nothing in their changes at all apply to the 3 feet law with is granted by Arizona. And even if they did it would be in conflict with the A.R.S. code.

28-626. Uniform application of laws throughout state; local ordinances or regulations
A. The provisions of this chapter and chapters 4 and 5 of this title are applicable and uniform throughout this state and in all political subdivisions in this state.
B. A local authority:
1. Shall not enact or enforce an ordinance or regulation in conflict with this chapter or chapter 4 or 5 of this title unless expressly authorized by this chapter or chapter 4 or 5 of this title.
2. May adopt additional traffic regulations that are not in conflict with this chapter or chapter 4 or 5 of this title.
3. Shall adopt ordinances or regulations relating to the control and movement of traffic, including parking or standing ordinances or regulations that provide for the imposition of civil penalties on the violation of the ordinance or regulation.
C. Unless a local ordinance or regulation provides for the imposition of a criminal penalty, a violation of the ordinance or regulation constitutes a civil traffic violation.

It was suggest to me to contact you regarding these issues by Ryan Berg Tucson Bicycle Lawyer
He has also written about this on his website. http://azbikelaw.org/blog/the-city-of-flagstaff-hates-bicyclists/

This is a extra sensitive area for many locals as we lost a cyclist in a bicycle lane to a City bus just a few month ago. The driver in this case was never cited either.
http://azdailysun.com/news/article_9dd411e9-40a7-5cbd-bdd1-fadfd420a97c.html
I would greatly appreciate any help of direction you could offer, and will be waiting on you reply.

Randy Mason
Randy Says:
February 5th, 2010 at 8:28 am
To all that have been taken their time to send out email.

Thanks you so much, this is what is driving this case! There will be an article coming out in the AZ Daily Sun soon!

PLEASE ADD THIS E-MAIL TO YOUR LIST OF CONTACT REGARDING THIS INCEDENT

mince@flagstaffaz.gov

Martin Ince
Flagstaff Metropolitan Planning Organization
Title: Multi-Modal Planner
Phone: (928) 226-4850
Email

I sent Mr Ince a email requesting to be added to the agenda for this last meeting. He admitted to getting this email, but chose not to respond. I was still not allowed to get on the agenda for the next meeting.

Taken from the City website:
Bicycle Advisory Committee

The Bicycle Advisory Committee is composed of seven members appointed by the Traffic Commission. Members serve three-year terms. The committee investigates, considers, and makes recommendations to the Traffic Commission on items assigned to them by the Commission relating to bicycle issues in the community.

Meeting minutes for the last Cycling Advisory Board Meeting.

Jeff Meilbeck and Randy Biles, of the Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority, were on hand to address the recent incident between a bike and a Mountain Line bus. Mr. Meilbeck said there is a close tie between buses and bikes. Mountain Line provides racks for two or three bikes on all its buses, and parking is provided at many stops. He said that NAIPTA wants to be responsive to the community.
Mr. Ince said that it is important for the bicycle community to know that NAIPTA is responsive and has a process for addressing problems and issues.
Ms. Blackman suggested that Mountain Line host an open house for bicyclists and pedestrians.

I will be attending the next meeting and would like to encourage other to join me.

You can be added to the mailing list for notification of meeting by following this link.
http://www.flagstaff.az.gov/List.aspx

Thanks Again
Randy
Hellbelly Says:
February 5th, 2010 at 8:41 am
Martin Ince is a biker, so he’s probably just trying to be diplomatic about the whole thing while completely understanding the plight.
Randy Says:
February 5th, 2010 at 8:55 am
I would argue that to be diplomatic you must allow and encourage people to voice their views in a public forum.
big jonny Says:
February 5th, 2010 at 10:31 am
Two quick points:

1) The “Tucson Bicycle Lawyer” is named Erik Ryberg.

2) The wesbite listing in Randy Mason’s comment above (#37), azbikelaw.org/blog/, is run by someone other than Mr. Ryberg.

Mr. Ryberg’s website can instead be found here: http://www.tucsonbikelawyer.com/
Ray Walker Says:
February 5th, 2010 at 10:48 am
I’ll mosdef be attending BAC meetings from now on.

Yesterday on my ride home, I ghosted a city bus from a block behind pretty much run all the way up San Francisco St (~7 blocks or so) completely in the bike lane with no cars in the left hand lane to impede it’s travel in the right hand lane. (well the bike lane was 1/2 blocked by cinders and ice, but still…)
Randy Says:
February 5th, 2010 at 12:02 pm
Thanks for the corrections Jon. My fact check was slacking. Sorry for any confusion.
Ed Says:
February 5th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Just a quick mention: Tuscon bike lawyer’s (Erik Ryberg) site is excellent — http://www.tucsonbikelawyer.com/

My site is http://azbikelaw.org/blog/ and p.s. i am NOT a lawyer. But i am HORRIFIED at your city attorney’s attitude. I even called it (and i had to look this one up; and sure enough it fits the bill) malfeasance.
Ed Says:
February 6th, 2010 at 11:53 am
Hey can someone tell me who it is that actually operates this bus line?
there is this government agency called http://www.naipta.az.gov/

In other words who actually pays the bus driver? (the city? NAIPTA? some private company who subcontracts?)
Dean Says:
February 6th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
The driver works for NAIPTA, who is contracted by the city of flagstaff. I’m not sure who the cops work for though?
notme Says:
February 6th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
The cops work for We The People. Always have, always will.

hopethishelps
nick from flag Says:
February 8th, 2010 at 11:32 pm
Fucking whining in Flagstaff get so fucking bothersome.(I was Born and raised in flagstaff) Hippies in Flagstaff are always whining, that shit wears me down, and while the situation was handled poorly on both sides. The cyclist delayed the passengers on the bus, certainly doesn’t make a good ambassador for the bike community.

The Cyclist prolly shouldn’t have been on a bike, in winter conditions, especially. But hey, he get more hippy cred in flagstaff, while pretending he doesn’t live off a huge trust fund. We forget that people, work for living, and try to have some compassion for the bus driver, it must not be the funest job. We’ve all seen some retarded cyclists and that what this guy was doing.

But heres the two things that pisses me off most. and shame on you for pulling the “big fat redneck in a truck” card. Its closed minded and above all ignorant. the second is that this dude cries and bitches about this but does nothing to educate drivers about cyclists, no booths a community events, no flyers, nothing..hes just making a fuss.

Here’s an idea champ, if their is snow and cinders in the bike lane, spend an hour shoveling it and sweeping it. but that would requre some god damn initiative and take some responsibility, instead of expecting others to do your work. But no, beyond posting videos this eunich wont do anything because it requires work.
pete s Says:
February 9th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
So, Nick from Flagstaff, because of your dislike of hippies in Flagstaff… you think:

- They, the taxpayer, should clear the bikepath?
- Laws favor drivers rather cyclists and laws in place can be changed on the spot?
- There should be compassion for the driver controlling a 16 TON (32,000 lbs) mass of steel/rubber/plastic over someone doing nothing wrong on a 25lb bike?
- The bus driver shouldn’t have to know the local laws of the road? I mean it only is his JOB and all.

I was hit one time my a car while on bike and the driver said she had the right of way because she “pays excise tax.” Nick’s got the same mindset. Totally ignorant and close minded. Good luck in life buddy. Maybe get out of Flagstaff to get your head out of you a..
sean Says:
February 9th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Nick, sounds like you are a big, ignorant, self entitled red neck. You believe everyone should act like you. I have run into dorks like you on the roads many times and have walked away thinking, How can this moron come from a developed country. Know the laws and civic responsibilities before opening your mouth. First, all red necks need to give three feet, yes, even red necks need to. Next, why can’t the bus driver clear the roads? After all, Evan is doing more damage than 3,000 cyclists. Well, your ignorance runs too deep that arguing with each of your weak points would take years, and result in nothing because redneckedness is in your bones. Yeeee, Hawww!
nick from flag Says:
February 9th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Pete, thanks for the personal attack, its a great argument. But lets do this point by point.
-I am saying that instead of relying on someone else to clear the path… he should take some initiative.
-But lets also not forget that a bike is a vehicle under ARS 28-101, so the laws do not benefit either… they are the same.
-There SHOULD be compassion for the bus driver. Pete, assuming that you have a job, do you know every law that relates to your job? I doubt it… He made a mistake, maybe have him read a pamphlet on cycling and cars… educate him, not fire him
- No one, knows all the laws cyclists and drivers alike. Pete, i could follow you in my car and Ill be at least one point you will break the law, regardless of its your job or not.

Pete, I am sorry you were hit. Just last week I was riding in Tucson and was buzzed by a school bus on mccain loop. Ya know what I did? I pulled up next to the driver at a stop light, knocked on the door, and said “Hello Sir, I just wanted to let you know that you got sorta close to me and it scared the beejesus out of me. I think there a law that says your supposed to give 3 feet to cyclists, have a great day!” then i went on my way. I was respectful, not condescending, I didnt get on his bus. I was a good ambassador from the cycling community.

I think as cyclists we need to realize that there is risk EVERYTIME we get on our bike and the only way to reduce it is through educating drivers about us!

I just had to blow off some steam to the whole entitled hippy attitude in flagstaff… i grew up there, and it wears on me. theres an attitude in flagstaff that i cant wrap my writing around, and its annoying.
nick from flag Says:
February 9th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Sean, your comment does nothing to further this discussion, it seems a little redneck to me. Pete, made some very good points and I respect everything he has to say. Thus saying that I wont feed the troll so to speak.

Just a quick thought, what would be the most effective way to educate people on driving around cyclists, afterall we have both have a right to the road.
Snake Hawk Says:
February 9th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
randy, if you had more business in that shop/bar of yours, you wouldn’t need to go to all this trouble.

cheers.
Gnome Says:
February 9th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
nick, serious dude. Open a window.

how much lane does one have to shovel? I mean, I ride my bike more than 100 feet at a time. That’s a lot of shoveling. I’d have to put a snowplow blade on the front of my bike and then the gearing would have to be rearranged to deal with the added load. And if cyclists are the same as cars, why aren’t cycling lanes cleared using the same tax monies that pay to clear “car lanes”. Why if in the same vain, don’t the fat people in the carffin’s have to get out and shovel the snow with the heft of their lipogenesis?

Jees dood. Yer shits dumbstupid.

And well, why can’t dumb bus driver just swerve it a bit to the left and avoid the hazard of killing for the sake of slack.

You ain’t know cyclist. Punk.

The attitood in flagstaff that you deespies is the same moronic entitlement that Mr. Bus Driver has for his lane and his 44oz Dew.

“hellow sir, I just wanted to inform you that my back is broken because you’re uneducated about me being out here on your streets but without a million pounds of metal armada and dvd’s around me…”

weke schaush brow. Fah Reelz like SH!
Erik Ryberg Says:
February 9th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
A reporter for the Daily Sun just called me about this. I ranted at him. The cops and city attorney think that if you are in a bike lane, the three-foot rule doesn’t apply to you.

The story is being published on Thursday. Check it out.

By the way: BGR is owed a BG thank-you for what he is doing here, getting publicity and shaming the bus driver and just raising all kinds of hell. That kind of thing can save a life down the road. Maybe yours.

You owe him a beer, and so do I.
Snake Hawk. Says:
February 9th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
no doubt. randy is like a summer sausage wrapped in cheddar inside a 24 ounce can of icehouse times six in a big-block v8 hemisphere cylinder piston head 598 cubic inch piece of tomohawk patriot missile strapped to an aircraft carrier full of pit-bulls, IcyHot, and rabies shaped like brass knuckles and zena the warrior princess all in one going off the 10 meter wasted listening to GWAR.

thanks for fighting so smartly.
mikey Says:
February 9th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
Hawk— your description is perfect, except you forgot shotgunning five tall boys of Full Throttle. Keep it real, BGR.

Mikey

PS— that d00d nick is a moron.
Dean Says:
February 10th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
The latest in false info. If there was a meeting they didn’t invite me. As of yesterday the cops still argue the three foot rule. And I’m sure I haven’t recieved an apology.

Andrew, my name is Jim Wine and I am one of the Deputy City Manager’s here in Flagstaff. Mayor Presler and Chief Cooper have received numerous inquires about the incident involving a transit bus and a cyclist and unfortunately there has been some misinformation that maybe I can help correct.

First, the bus involved is not a city bus nor is the driver a city employee. The city has provided the Manager of the regional transit authority the information regarding his bus driver. Since the driver is not a city employee we are not in a position to know what action the manager has taken regarding this event.

Second, no tickets were issued to the cyclist by the City Police Department. In fact our department had the cyclist come to our department to meet with our officer and supervisors to go over the incident. At that time our police department agreed with the cyclist that the law does indeed require a three foot set back, just like the cyclist stated during the event. Further we apologized for any misunderstanding of the law that may have occurred at the scene.

Third, our officer was responding to a call that essentially was a disturbance so his primary objective was to make sure that no one was harmed.

Thank you for your concern and giving us the opportunity to respond.

Jim Wine
——————–
Sean Says:
February 11th, 2010 at 3:21 am
Is this letter from Andrew fer real? He sounds like a peon of the real masters of the game. Let me see, the bus driver is an employee of a contractor. Well, poor Nike if they would have the same blindness as Andrew. Now, they got in the deep septic tank for their contractors using like 8 year olds to do their hot, sweety, toxic gluing. Now those countries have a bunch of lost, brain tumored, lil’ yung’ins runnin’ around. What happened to responsibility of oversight. Heck, the contractor could be using a bunch of DUI drivers straight from the pen to drive their buses. Andrew, you should carry as much responsibility in this matter. And, answer the damn question we all have, did Evan have any consequence for his childish, reckless behavior?
Sean Says:
February 11th, 2010 at 3:22 am
Oh, no! I screwed that name. Cancel Andrew and replace with Jim Wine. Sorry all. Too many beers after too many miles.
Sean Says:
February 11th, 2010 at 3:25 am
Nick, my comments do nothing to further the discussion? What the heck did you originally post. A bunch of “whiney” this and ” hippy” that. Well, you just proved my stance. Can’t argue with a self-entitled, arogant moron. Peace
Randy Says:
February 11th, 2010 at 6:51 am
I have a meeting with Jim Wine this morning. Hopefully we can clear this up.
Randy Says:
February 11th, 2010 at 7:14 am
This is getting had to ignore now.

http://azdailysun.com/news/local/article_a5aeed98-7334-543b-a544-80eaa0547867.html?mode=story
Ray Walker Says:
February 11th, 2010 at 8:23 am
Randy, awesome work! I’m glad this is getting some recognition in the paper.

On a side note, I was bummed on my daily ride to work to have 2 cyclists cut me off in the bike lane on NAU campus, then proceed to blow 2 stop signs, even when I was stopped in front of them at one. When I explained my dismay that no one will respect cyclists if they don’t obey the law too, I got a curt “good day to you.” I’m guessing my message worked, eh? :) By the way, I am a firm supporter of the Idaho (rolling) Stop and it’s inception into AZ law, but it doesn’t matter when you do it illegally with cars in view.
Alex Says:
February 12th, 2010 at 9:45 am
These bus drivers think they are right because they work for the city. They need to realize that cyclins are not protected by a huge car or bus. I am glad this guy stood up to these guys.
LUCA POCIOLI Says:
February 12th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Cyclist dies in collision
StoryDiscussionPosted: Monday, November 16, 2009 11:00 pm | (0) Comments

Font Size:Default font sizeLarger font sizeA 23-year-old Flagstaff man riding a bicycle died Monday morning after he and a heavy, city-owned transport truck collided on Butler Avenue and Babbitt Way at the entrance to the recycling center.

Joshua Amos Pete and the truck driver were both traveling westbound on Butler Avenue at the time of the collision, with Pete in the marked bike lane, police said. The investigation so far indicates that the truck and the bicyclist collided at about 11:15 a.m. as the truck was making a right turn into the driveway.

Pete became entangled in the truck’s wheel housing and was dragged some distance before the vehicle came to a stop in the driveway of the recycling center. Reports indicate he was severely injured and was pronounced dead at Flagstaff Medical Center at 11:39 a.m.

The collision caused the closure of one westbound lane on Butler Avenue for several hours while accident reconstructionists conducted their investigation.

It is still undetermined who, if anybody, was at fault in the collision, said Sgt. Michael Terrin of the Flagstaff Police Department.

Investigators are in the process of interviewing witnesses to determine the color of the traffic signal at the intersection and whether the driver of the truck was properly signaling the right turn, Terrin said.

Per city policy, the truck driver will undergo tests for drugs or alcohol. The driver was behind the wheel of a “roll off” truck, a large, flatbed vehicle that resembles a tractor-trailer and is typically used to haul industrial-sized recycling or garbage bins.

Flagstaff City Manager Kevin Burke said Monday in a prepared statement: “As an organization, we are truly saddened as is our community by today’s tragic accident and loss of life. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Joshua Pete.”

He continued: “This tragedy is being thoroughly investigated and as public information becomes available, we will certainly work closely with the family to keep them informed.”

Burke then suggested the community support and pray for Pete’s family.

From the Arizona Revised Statutes

A.R.S.28-754. Turning movements and required signals

A. A person shall not turn a vehicle at an intersection unless the vehicle is in proper position on the roadway as required in section 28-751, or turn a vehicle to enter a private road or driveway or otherwise turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left on a roadway unless and until the movement can be made with reasonable safety. A person shall not so turn any vehicle without giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided by this article in the event any other traffic may be affected by the movement.

B. A signal of intention to turn right or left when required shall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred feet traveled by the vehicle before turning.

C. A person shall not stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided by this article to the driver of any vehicle immediately to the rear when there is opportunity to give the signal.

Posted in News on Monday, November 16, 2009 11:00 pm
Gene Holmerud Says:
February 13th, 2010 at 10:42 am
The applicable laws are very straight forward. One requires the driver of a motor vehicle to remain 3 feet or more from a cyclist when passing. The other riquires a cyclist to remain to the right as far as “practicable” (yes, that’s the word and has an entirely different meaning than “possible”). However, that rule has many exceptions, one of which is for obstacles on the road (A.3). These laws can be viewed at and .

Gene Holmerud
LCI #1193

City of Flagstaff vs Cyclist: Part 2

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