From: Hank
Subject: Biker DownFrom the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (accident yesterday and today)
Woman arrested in bicycle death
Authorities have arrested the 43-year-old woman suspected of crashing into and killing one bicyclist and injuring another Wednesday night on Five Mile Road in the Town of Raymond.
Janell D. Gehrke of the Town of Norway allegedly was driving drunk, according to a release from the Racine County Sheriff’s Department.
She was booked into the Racine County Jail and released early this morning after posting $13,000 bail shortly before 1 a.m.
Less than an hour later, one of the cyclists who was struck, Nancy Sellars, died at Froedtert Hospital. The other cyclist, whose identity has not been released, remains in the hospital.
Sellars, 48, was a much-admired endurance athlete who lived with her husband in Franklin.
She most recently completed the Race Across America as part of an eight-man team, Badger Bikers, that raised nearly $70,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation through their eight-day ride across the country.
Wednesday was a particularly tragic day for bicyclists. David Brandenburg, 63, was killed about 6 a.m. when a semitrailer struck him as he rode on Highway A in the Town of Trenton, in Dodge County.
The driver in that crash, Richard S. Boehler, 34, of Manitowoc, was issued a citation alleging inattentive driving.
UPDATE: More @ the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Comments
60 Responses to “Killing Fields of Wisconsin”
Leave a Reply
matt on July 10th, 2008 2:53 pm
“was issued a citation alleging inattentive driving.”
- a freaking citation?! Does anyone have a link/details regarding this incident? There has to be more to it if just a citation was issued.
Gnome on July 10th, 2008 5:50 pm
link from original post: jsonline.com
don’t known if that helps…
edh on July 10th, 2008 6:15 pm
its a fucked situation here in the land of cheese and beer- noone sees bikes even when they are sober.
usually these fucwads are dwi or operating w/o a license or more typically dont have insurance. so on top of being near death- these people get off scot free.
inattentive driving my ass-
and my eyes are still burning from the hilton crotch shot- dammit.
Wine Dog on July 11th, 2008 5:12 am
Inattentive fucking driving? How about manslaughter? Or 2nd degree murder? But Inattentive fucking driving? Christ on a crutch!
Pfaff on July 11th, 2008 5:51 am
So if an automobile driver isn’t paying attention to the road, we’ll say he’s “inattentive”, and hits someone on a motorcycle, killing the person……what would the charge be then?
Why is there such a large gap between the charges being brought in cyclists deaths and the deaths of those whose vehicles have combustion engines?
It really is sickening when I hear news like this…..and its all too often.
Joe on July 11th, 2008 7:26 am
wow these autos are getting worse then guns.
Dara on July 21st, 2008 7:52 pm
RE: the 2 cyclists hit….I know Janell gehrke and she IS NOT the DRUNK the papers are making her out to be….She is a very lovely person who is giving and unselfish….she has 3 sisters and a widowed mother that she helps take care of and two nephews that she dotes on. In this situation there are alot of things that led up to this accident and it wasn’t just her. She herself is a cylist and knows the respect that cyclists deserve on the road….some think they deserve more than others……this whole thing has truly changed her forever
Kelly on July 25th, 2008 7:57 am
Wow I dont know what to say, here is a lady that has done, the bike rides to raise money for cancer,has run marathons to raise money for breast cancer and childhood lukemia, a lady that has taken the initative to raise money for a co workers child that was undergoing chemotherapy,donated not only money but gave her time and gave of herself (something that most people dont even think about doing) she has worked to better her community and has worked to help those around her to be better people.
This lady has been a great support to family and friends,she has lead by example and encouraged others to raise there standards wether that be in the workplace on horseback or in the athletic arena, knowing her has made myself and others better human beings, she has touched so many lives that its incredible,her name is Janell Gehrke.
Now through a horrible and tragic accident the lives of everyone on both sides have changed forever,before you sit in here and crucify this lady and run your mouths with your false bravado & hyperbole (see the post from the idiot that wants to carry a gun but needs a lighter one) perhaps you all need to sit down and say dam that could have been me driving down a road with no shoulders into the sun and coming upon two cyclists in the traffic lane.
Bad things happen to good people no one knows why but between some of the shit I have read here and in the media perhaps you all need to sit back and say dam I could have been driveing that car, and by the way how many of you have climbed behind the wheel with “just a buzz” I know we all have and if you are truly honest with yourselves you know dam well that you have too.
Darrel on July 27th, 2008 1:17 pm
I am amazed at reading these posts that the people in here who are shooting off there mouths like wine dog, edh and pfaff, can let there crocodile mouths runoff with there chicken shit asses about a situation that they have no clue about except for what they have read in a biased media that is looking for sensationalism but wont even post there real name when they do run there mouths there so freaking cowardly that they have to pick on a woman that they dont even know and then hide behind some phony nickname ………..you people sicken me if you really believe and stand behind the shit you are posting then at least have the balls to post your real name.
Sheela on July 30th, 2008 7:46 am
After looking at this website a few times and reading all the comments from people who know absolutely nothing..Maybe a poll should be taken of about 200 motorists who have come across people on bicycles who are riding two and three abreast in the traffic lanes..What about bicyclists? Arent they supposed to follow the rules also? When a driver is coming over a hill are they supposed to drive on the wrongside of the road just in case there is someone on a bicycle in the traffic lane and not where they are supposed to be? And if so…What about the oncoming cars? Is their life less important? As for Janell Gehrke,no one knows the real story of what happened. Only what the news tells you and they arent telling the real story. Janell Gehrke is NOT a drunk or irresposible peron..If it wasnt her coming over that hill that day..It would have been someone else..Like you or I or our mothers or grandmothers…The rules are for EVERYONE!..Not just motorists..
Darrel on August 1st, 2008 8:34 pm
Sheela I must say quite the interesting post it is amazing how little respect cyclists have when they are on the road, and how much respect they feel they deserve,even when they are not obeying the laws of the road which were written for everybody, not just for the drivers of the automobile.
I cant tell you how many times I have come upon a bicycle that was in the middle of the traffic lane completely unaware of there surroundings, hmmmmmm maybe the state of wisconsin should look at making cyclists go to an approved class , and then take a written and a road test so they can drive on the raod (like everybody else) ………why should only people driving gasoline powered vehicles have to have a test of there skill and knowledge not too mention there eyes on a regular basis. Perhaps if the cyclists had sme law they had to answer too they wouldnt be so belligerent and arrogant when they are on the roads. Just a thought………
Dara on August 4th, 2008 3:45 pm
Darrell, I must say I do like your thinking….it’s nice to see someone on Janell’s side…she has been given such a bad reputation since this ACCIDENT, by sooo many ignorant people who think they know what the hell they are talking about and actually know nothing. We are still talking about a human being who made a mistake. Like Kelly said earlier…aren’t we all guilty at one time or more for having few and driving….I belive all Janell is guilty of is driving under the influence…not murder, homicide or manslaughter. This whole incident is heightened because alcohol was involved….if it wasn’t the case this would just be another tragic accident. People need to know who the real Janell Gehrke is, not what the media is portraying her as.
Sherry on August 4th, 2008 6:01 pm
What about accountability? Accountability is a two way street. Kudos to Darrel for addressing the issue. Why not little license plates for bicycles? Testing would be a great idea. Here in Las Vegas many cyclists ignore safety rules. You know the rules you learned in 1st grade–ride single file with the traffic? The ironic thing is a cyclist stands to lose so much more when they don’t obey safety rules. I don’t know the exact facts of the accident with Janell Gehrke, but I do know what kind of a person she is. She is selfless and humble, not the drunk the news media makes her out to be. This situation is truly a tragic one….one that could befall anyone that I know, myself included. Before any of you start to judge-sit back and imagine yourself in her shoes. It could happen. Don’t believe what you read in the papers. THINK for yourselves. UNDERSTAND that newspapers are more concerned with selling more papers than presenting all the facts of a story. DIG a little beyond what you read–Janell has been my friend for more that 30 years–she’s kind and loving and a real friend–this kind of tragedy will be with her the rest of her life…if you truly knew her you would know that.
bifurcated monkey on August 4th, 2008 11:27 pm
i appreciate the concern for janelle, but she killed somebody riding a bike. if she killed someone riding in a car she would have more than an inattentive driving ticket and a bunch of people saying how she just had a couple drinks or was a great person so it wasn’t her fault. i sense some hostility toward cyclists here, and it seems like it would be more appropriately directed toward inattentive cyclists (or people), which seemsm to be not that big of a deal. being inattentive and all.
Kelly on August 5th, 2008 6:06 am
I think you are missing the point here Bi Monkey,as I stated earlier this is a tragic accident and no one will ever be the same.
Not one person on here has tried to place blame or minimize what has happened, what we are trying to get across is the fact that the media and other cyclists have painted a picture of Janell as a careless drunken vile person with no regard for human life.
Not one media outlet has mentioned all of the good things that she has done nor has anyone mentioned that Janell is a cyclist and has done the charity rides, and the cross country races, NO the news media along with many others have jumped to the automatic conclusion that Janell was an evil drunk driver who recklessly and wantonly went out and struck down an innocent group of bikers.
I ve known Jenny since the day she was born and I ll tell you right now that had she met Mrs Sellers under different circumstances that the two of them would have been riding together and the two of them would have probally become great friends.
However according to the media and the public at large its easier to trash Jenny than too look into her background and see what she is all about, its easier for the news media to call her mother an alcoholic (which is a blatant slanderous lie and should be followed by a slander/libel lawsuit) its easier to spread gossip, rumors and inuendo than to look at the facts or to report the facts.
There are mitigating circumstances here, that stretch of road is a blind spot waiting for an accident too happen,………add to all of this that the news media has had several different reports of what happened (they cant even get there facts straight)and there is no way that Jenny will be able to get a fair trial.
Television and newspapers make there money selling advertising, and by reporting something like this in the bias slanted manner that the media has chosen to use attracts viewers thus raising thier ratings hence the Tv stations make more money, and that in itself makes this situation even more tragic, do you think for one minute that the G.M. of channel 6 or 4 gives a rats ass about Nancy Sellers? No they dont they have a hot story with a hero and villian and that brings in revenue and that is all that matters to the newspaper and television station. Could they run a story on this tragedy compare the two womens lives and show how much the same they were? Could they use this tragedy to educate the public cyclists and motorists alike? Yes they could but lets get real it wouldnt sell becuase it wouldnt be sensational.
I ll donate 5 thousand dollars out of my own pocket right here and now to the charity of your choice if you can get one reporter to contact me who will do a story on this that will be fair non biased and help prevent this type of tragedy in the future. Believe me I wont sit at the phone wiating for a call because a story that could do some good and save some lives doesnt sell, its like the song “Bubble headed bleach blonde comes on at 5 tells you about the plane crash with a gleam in her eye…….give me dirty laundry”
As for the accountability issue well it speaks for itself, Jenny will stand up and take resposibility for her actions the remorse she is feeling right now is killing her, it has taken a toll on her physically and mentally,she will never be the same and she will and has taken resposibility for her actions.
I have no hostility towards cyclists, or any other group that uses the roadways that my fuel taxes pay for but as the signs say “share the road” which means that everyone cyclist, pedestrians, horseback riders, etc have a resposibility also and need to be treated equally under the law and held accountable for there actions as well.
to make this simple I am reminded of something my dad used to say.
“dont let your crocodile mouth run away with your jaybird ass” well thats exactly what has happened in this situation alot of crocodile mouths are flapping about something and someone that they know nothing about.
If you find the reporter that will step up and do the story you can contact me at bender22345@yahoo.com I wont be holding breath waiting for that e mail.
Kelly
P.S. Just a side note odd isnt it how the only people in here who are willing too stand up and use there real names are the ones presenting fact? Strange how all the bashers seem to hide behind a monicker that provides them annonimity………..makes me wonder how many cowards with crocodile mouths and jaybird asses are out there.
Kelly
el jefe on August 5th, 2008 6:11 am
I don’t know that I get that they have hostility towards cyclists. I get the sense that a group of her friends decided to defend her, and that’s fine that’s what friends do. They do not seem to be cyclists and do not understand the threat we are continuously under, and the lack of support we get from the general public and legal system. I don’t think the guy that hit me and filled my leg with titanium is a bad person. Just someone who made a bad decision and wasn’t willing to accept the consequences of what he had done, so he wanted to blame me, and get his insurance company to blame me, and get my insurance company to blame me. Which drug the legal process out for two years. The fact is that she killed a cyclist and was apparently tipsy when it happened. She made a bad decision and needs to accept that there are people who are going to say mean things about her because of it.
Every one of you who wants to defend her needs to spend a year bike commuting. See how cars treat you. See how people are very willing to threaten you with death on a daily basis, think it is their right to do so, and then blame you for it because you are on the road. You’ll see that there are some traffic laws you will start to ignore because it really is safer for you as a cyclist to get home more quickly than be stuck out on the roads with a bunch of angry people. You’ll see that most cars don’t obey traffic laws. You bitch and moan about cyclists obeying traffic laws, but I’ll start obeying them, when car drivers do and aren’t threatening my life. So you can support her all you want, it doesn’t change the fact that she killed someone. Sometimes good people make bad decisions. Support her, she needs it, but don’t defend her.
Sheela on August 5th, 2008 6:36 am
Your all missing the point…They were in the middle of the god dam road when she came over the hill…
el jefe on August 5th, 2008 6:42 am
Kelly,
First off, whether someone uses their moniker or their real name is irrelevant. I see you only used you first name and don’t have a blog link, as many of us do. See, completely irrelevant.
Second, you do not own the roads. It’s not just your taxes which pay for the roads. Most cyclist also drive, and pay taxes, so they own the same amount of the roads that you do. Cyclists aren’t freeloading on your roads. That’s part of the problem, maybe not with your personal attitude, but with the attitude of many drivers.
I’m glad to hear that Janell will be taking responsibility for her actions. Hitting a fellow cyclist is one of my greatest fears. I still think the 5 or so of you who came on this blog to defend her need to accept that your friend did a horrible thing, not intentionally, and that you may not get a warm reception to your defense of her here. Janell may be everything you describe, but I doubt you’ll get to many of us to accept that.
Sheela on August 5th, 2008 6:45 am
And that was a pretty stupid statement..”Ill obey the laws when cars start obeying them”..You will be the next one pushing up daisies if you think like that…
el jefe on August 5th, 2008 8:21 am
Sheela,
You have no idea what you are talking about. I do what gets me home safe. Period. How many times have you blown a stop sign or red light? A driver doing that is what almost got me killed. Believe me, I know the consequences of someone making a bad decision. Again, until you’ve spent some time commuting by bike, you have no concept of what it’s like to be threatened by people like yourself who think you are more entitled to the roads than anyone not in a car. I understand that Janell is your friend, and that it is easier to blame someone else for her bad decision. You want to put part of the blame on someone else, but it doesn’t change the fact that she killed someone, and that this blog is going to have a viewpoint that isn’t very forgiving of your friend.
bifurcated monkey on August 5th, 2008 10:13 am
i agree that the media sucks. this whole thing sucks. i am going to ride my bike today, i don’t know any reporters in wisconsin, and i am The Bifurcated Monkey of Piss Pump. google it. or not it really isn’t that interesting.
Kelly on August 5th, 2008 10:45 am
I break and train horses which means I ride horses on the road on a daily basis I know how inconsiderate motorists can be and I am smart enoough to realize that not all motorists are assholes oddly enough I also kno wthat there are tons of horseback riders out there who are assholes and think that as long as they are on there horse they own the road. I damn near clipped two of them last week that were riding down the middle of a dirt road on a blind corner,had I hit them it would have been my fault because I was the big bad car driver one of them flipped me off and one of them threw his water bottle on my windshield why did they have this reaction? because they were arrogant dumb asses, had they been riding on the side of the road as they are supposed too there wouldnt have been an incident I wouldnt have had to swerve lock up my breaks and cut up the horse I had in the trailer, (which neither idiot offered to pay the bill for stitching up the horses forehead) so now we are back to accountability……….when I ride I where reflective clothing, I am aware of my surroundings, I am on the side of the road where the LAW states I need too be. I also spend alot of time and money on eductaing both riders and motorists on how to be safe on the road. Perhaps instead of getting in here and bad mouthing people you all might look at a way to make one fellow cyclists death and another fellow cyclists ruined life mean something by doing something about the situation in a positive manner.
As for owning the road Im sure you all pay taxes the same as I do however your tax dollar is no better than mine and doesnt give you more right to the road than any motorist out there, it doesnt mean you can ride haphazardly and endanger your life or mine.
As for the reporter you could be a memebr of the Press Club and now Walter Cronkite personally I gaurantee you wont see the medis do a non biased story with a positive twist any time soon……..so Ill just put my five grand into continueng education to help people be safer.
El Jefe let me clue you in My name is Kelly Case I reside at 2900 Bluebird Drive in Grovespring Missouri. my cell phone is 417 531 3151
call if you actually have something productive to say, leave your name and number and Ill give you a ring ………thats if you have the balls to post it here.
Kelly
Dara on August 5th, 2008 10:59 am
Everyone takes chances…whether it be on a bike or in a car…..Janell chose to drive as the bikers chose to ride their bikes….50/50 choices on all their parts. 50/50 blame…I was always told in an accident everyone is 20% at fault just for being there. The percent on blame…..riding in the middle of the road….not smart….40%, driving under the influence (not drunk), not smart 40%. they all took their chances in their own way.
Gnome on August 5th, 2008 11:00 am
Hey, good idea. How about slowing down, and giving way to common sense. Leaving your behavior up to what the “LAW” tells you to do, which really has no control over you other than your fear, and you are simply passing the buck, just like every other person in the world not willing to take time and use their own judgement.
el jefe on August 5th, 2008 2:34 pm
Kelly, Two things:
It is clear you missed my point about using misnomers. It is irrelevant whether someone uses their real name. Where you live is irrelevant.
I will not call you. It is clear from your tone that you are just looking for a fight and that you do not want constructive input. I will not give you that. I have zero interest in fighting with a stranger any more. I believe I have been mostly respectful in this discussion, an action which I believe you are not able to do anymore. I hope that Janell takes responsibility for her actions. I was never calling for her head. If every one would slow down and take responsibility for their actions, the world would be a better place.
bifurcated monkey on August 5th, 2008 3:46 pm
after pondering more today i have concluded that the media still sucks. and to clarify i feel bad for jenny for having hit those people. and especially for the cyclists,family and friends. i probably was reacting to this situation due to past hit and run experiences, hostile car experiences, or “blame the cyclist” stories. for example someone got run over here in idaho by a hummer and the media was sure to report if the victim was wearing a helmet or not, which is irrelevant when you get run over by a hummer. i just wanted to clarify that i think the whole thing sucks for everyone. good luck with the journalist hunt. maybe the isthmus or some alt. paper would want to do a piece on the situation.
Kelly on August 6th, 2008 9:27 am
El jefe you miss the point you talk about responsibility for ones actions Jenny has taken resposibility for her actions,and the court will make the ultimate descion.
You and others like your self will get on boards like thes and run your mouth you will pontificate on your beliefs your maorals and your personal attitudes but yet you wont sign your name to the things you believe in, and the world would be a better place if people would take resposibility for their actions wether that be riding your bike in the middle of the road or runing your mouth in public,I am not afraid too stand up for what I believe In and I am not afraid too sign my name to what write perhaps that is where resposibility starts but that would mean showing who you are and that my friend would require integrity something that very few people have shown when discussing this situation.
Now tel me what would you do and what you are doing to make sure that a tragedy like this can be prevented?
That would be constructive input.
Kelly
Darrel on August 7th, 2008 8:48 am
You know I ve been thinking about this whole thing quite a bit and after reading these post I see a few things that disturb me.
1) In the U.S. Majority rules, there are more cars than bicycles,yet listening to the cyclists in here I get the sense of yet another minority special interest group that feels they should have more than equal rights, and that where they are going and how they are getting there should provide them with some sort of special rights that set them above the law.
You as a cyclist CHOOSE to get out on the road you know the inherent risks associated with being on the road, you willingly and knowingly accept these risks, yet you seem to want someone held resposible besides yourselves when it goes bad.
2)How did a cyclist with the experience that Ms Sellars has end up in such a dangerous situation? Why were both cyclists in the traffic lane on a stretch of road with a notorius blind spot? Were they not paying attention? Were they obeying the laws? Were they wearing clothing that would have made them more visible? How does a retired firefighter who should know a litte about safety and who is also an experienced cyclist,end up in this situation?
3)How can Janell get a fair trial with all of the things that have been written about her and her family? In America arent you supposed to be considered innocent until proven guilty? Isnt burden of proof supposed to be the prosecutors problem? Not the news media’s or the talking heads in a chatroom?
4) Mr Sellar’s made a comment in one of the television interviews, that Janell was only thinking of herself when she went home, how can any of us say what state of mind she was in,after the accident, and where was Mr Sellars when this happened? Realistcly speaking in his TV interview the man didnt look like someone who was out on a bike very often so why was his wife out on a ride with another guy? Did her being with another man who was more fit and healthy than her husband have anything to do with the fact that neither cyclist was paying attention? Did it ever occur to anyone that Janell went home to her Mother because we all know that mom’s can fix everything?
Did it ever occur to anyone that Janell did nothing to hide what had happened, it wasnt like she ran and hid the car.
All I am trying to say here is give Janell a break there are mitigating circumstances that we know nothing about, so people in glass houses shouldnt throw stones or for you more biblical types
Judge not lest you be judged also.
Darrel
big jonny on August 7th, 2008 9:24 am
I don’t know what happened out there on the road. I wasn’t there. And I don’t know what charges she will face, if any. All I know is this:
Source: journaltimes.com
Ms. Gehrke has enough to worry about with or without your robust defense of her character in this comment section. She may well end up in court facing criminal charges.
And don’t tell me about “inherent risks” associated with cycling. I have every right to be out on the roadway on a bicycle as you do in a car. It is the same.
I got hit by a drunk driver. And he’s two years in to a five year sentence.
If Ms. Gehrke is found guilty, don’t come crying to me.
butthead on August 7th, 2008 10:04 am
a person consuming alchol and operating a veicle above the limit of intoxication, impared, under the influence etc. is thinking of no one else but themselves you fucking asshole
This is like me saying that my dick in your ass will make you feel good
butthead on August 7th, 2008 10:08 am
It is also like me blaming Jonny’s failure to add spell check to this fourm is the reason I cant spell
Oh and equal rights? Dude more often than not a bike is considered a moving vehicle and must follow the same rules of the road
hows that for equal
Darrel on August 7th, 2008 11:02 am
It would be great and equal if cyclists followed those rules, and were treated as motorists are treated perhaps, passing a test and haveing to carry a liscense and insurance like a motorist does, secondly I am fully aware of the dangers everytime I set out on the road wether that be in a car or on my bicycle, why do you find it so difficult to accept resposibility for your actions?
Like I said earlier it seems that all we are doing is once again pandering to a special interest group, thank god Mrs Sellars wasnt black or we would have Jesse Jackson down here besides.
Once again in your first post the part of thinking about themselves, you rush to judgement with out knowing the facts how do you know Janells mental state at that point? Possibly you are basing this on how you react when you drink? As for a dick up anyones ass well I dont work that side of the street so I cant say but once again your little freudian slip makes it sound like you have had your fair share of dick up your ass so I will let you remain the expert on that.
Jonny, All I was trying to point out was that there are other circumstances involved,I am sure that Janell knows how bad the outcome of this could be but once again the point is missed yes you have the right to be on the road however when you get on the road you automatically accept the risks involved with travelling on the road. The same as anyone else does when the CHOOSE to do something that involves risk, I will bet that nobody twisted your arm to get out on the road on your bicycle I also bet the guy that hit you didnt have his arm twisted to have the beer that put him over the limit. You both CHOSE to take that risk all I am sayin is that there is some resposibility here on the cyclist part. Janelle has accepted the resposibility for her actions and the coaurt will mandate how sever the penalties are, but we are back to the questions I asked before
Why were they in the middle of the traffic lane? What were they doing? Were they paying attention? Were they following the rules of the road?
How with all of this bias one sided B.S. can Janell expect a fair trial?
Or do you believe that the motorist is just always at fault?
Im just asking questions here no need to get you underwear in a bundle and remeber Do unto others as you would have others do unto you, Im sure that if the tables were turned and you had been driving the vehicle you would want at a minimum a fair trial……….wouldnt you?
Darrel
butthead on August 7th, 2008 12:09 pm
I mean was it Colt 45 or Mickey’s Big mouth in the cab?
Guess my dick in your ass will make you feel good after all
my bad
Darrel on August 7th, 2008 12:55 pm
Ummm yeah ok that last post of yours makes a whole lot of sense please have your mommy or daddy start typing for you again, and butthead ( a name which I am sure came quite naturally too you) you need to quit drinking and perhaps seek some anger mangement therapy.
I can already picture you as one of those pissed off at the world lonely people who ride a bicycle act like a fool and give cyclists a bad name.
Do you ride a bike like the thousands of others out there who have lost there drivers liscence because they were driving drunk? Do you ever have a few cold ones before you mount up you pedal powered steed and hit the open road? Perhaps your one of those that likes to blow a joint or have a quick nip while they are riding? Oh wait that couldnt be possible cyclist are akin to Mother Teresa in there manners on the road!! Just curious not prying into your personal life but man you seriously need help.
Darrel
Mikey on August 7th, 2008 5:06 pm
Guys-
Wow, the tone from motorists defending a drunk driver that killed an experienced, legal road user is pretty chilling. If you really want to help your friend, SHUT THE FUCK UP!
Cyclists do not deserve to die simply for choosing a twenty-pound vehicle over a 4000-pound one. If you don’t feel that you can drive around town without mowing down cyclists, PLEASE stop driving; you’re a lethal threat to public safety. Like, duh.
If you do run down and kill someone, you should probably be charged with a criminal offense. You fucked up, someone died. Is this some kind of mystery??
Yeesh.
Mikey
butthead on August 8th, 2008 7:28 am
Mikey the cyclists were wearing tight shorts and the guys shave their legs. That is gay.
Because they are fit they think they own the road.
There are bike lanes for them.
What a bunch of posers on their carbon bikes and matching jerseys.
They were probably on their way to get a shot of wheat grass and decided to stop in front of the drunk to decise where the best health bar was.
maybe they were stopped to talk about their last yoga class.
therefore they deserved it.
butthead on August 8th, 2008 7:31 am
Clearly Darell never passed the Bar Exam and is playing Lawyer on the web. All that schooling mam and dad paid for results in this. I hope you atleast drank in Colege
vincevega on August 8th, 2008 8:08 am
Darrel let me ask you a question. When you came pulling in here, did you notice a sign out in front of the home page that said Dead Biker Storage?
Did you notice a sign out in front of this thread that said Dead Biker Storage?
You know WHY you didn’t see that sign? ‘Cause it ain’t there, ’cause storing dead bikers ain’t our fucking business, that’s why!
Darrel on August 8th, 2008 4:18 pm
Interesting, the last 4 posts have absolutely nothing to do with the thread just a bunch of people ranting.
Perhaps this is something you folks need to do organize better and pick one spokesperson that can talk with out sounding like a bunch of children who just got there puppy stepped on, drop the personal attacks and then maybe the lawmakers will listen to your plea’s and you might actually get some bike trails.
If the reaction you have shown in here is any indication of how you act when you are out on the road its no wonder motorists cant stand you, but then again the empty barrell always makes the most noise.
Oh and Butthead look man you are really stuck on this gay thing, isnt your counselor helping you with your latent homosexual tendencies?
On to other things I hear that another cyclist got hit and killed not too far from the area where Janeells accident happened I dont have all the facts but from what I understand this guy really ran and they havent found him as of yet.
Is there a situation with the roads in this area that they are blind and unsafe for cyclists?
Just curious any input from responsible adults who actually have anything to share would be of interest.
Darrel
Kelly on August 8th, 2008 5:13 pm
I just heard about the accident Darrel referenced I am curious to see wether the news media jumps on this story as aggresively as they have on Jenny’s story.
Or do you reckon a grandmother killed on her bike by a hit and run driver that has yet too be found,( he didnt go home looking for help)is not as newsworthy as a triathelete?
It may be my inability to navigate this site but I noticed that it hasnt been posted here yet, perhaps someone needs to get that on here ASAP?
Kelly
Mikey on August 8th, 2008 8:48 pm
“Is there a situation with the roads in this area that they are blind and unsafe for cyclists?
Just curious any input from responsible adults who actually have anything to share would be of interest.”
Darrell-
I think you mean “drivers”not roads.
Roads don’t kill cyclists, drivers do.
Yeesh.
Mikey
Mikey
Kelly on August 9th, 2008 8:43 am
I can see where Darrel is coming from Wisconsin seems to have more than its fair share of cyclists getting killed on the road.
Are there no bike trails? No shoulders on the road? No warning signs?
No training programs for cyclists? I would think there must be a group of cyclists out there lobbying or working towards making it safer for cyclists?
Wouldnt it be better and more productive to be working towards creating a safer place to ride than to be wasting your time in here whining about motorists? Are there no proactive cyclists that want too bring a positive change about from the tragedys that have happened in this one county alone?
Face it cars are here to stay and cars are in the majority and roads were built with cars in mind, hell even the Amish have had to go too using lights on there buggies (which have been around longer than bicycles) Maybe for there own safety there needs to be shift in attitude of the cyclists lets face it not many cyclist have come up with an idea (and I havent read any in here) too help preventt these types of accidents.
Cycling is considered a sport recreation or leisure activity (not a primary means of transport) so is football, we dont see football teams playing in the road no they play on footbal fields ……..perhaps cyclists need to work on getting the state county or local government to help provide a place for them to ride in safety rather than sit on websites complaining.
And Mikey, the road has to be taken into consideration in any accident,weather conditions, where were the riders in the road? driving condtions on that day and at that time, the mind set of all parties involved, was alcohol an issue? was the driver paying attention? were the riders paying attention? were the parties involved aware of the surroundings? Is that particular road high traffic? what kind of traffic fast moving commuter traffic or slow moving farm traffic? These are things that need to be looked at to make it safer for everyone.
Kelly
Mikey on August 9th, 2008 10:30 am
Kelly-
What bizarre rationalization. I guess it bears repeating: cyclists do not deserve to die for choosing a 20-pound vehicle instead of a 4000-pound one. Your assumption that cyclists are voluntarily taking their lives into their hands by riding with cars that might kill them is pretty fucking sick. I think rational people will agree that the burden is on the motorist to avoid mowing down and killing other road users.
Mikey
Kelly on August 9th, 2008 11:23 am
Mikey I see no bizarre rationalization here or no more bizarre than what some of the cyclists on here have written. (see some of the posts written by butthead who must be a model of the perfect cyclist attitide?) In case you read this butthead that would be sarcasm not a compliment.
Do you not as a cyclist think that there is a problem here? Do you as a cyclist really think that your whining and crying in a chatroom is going to stop people from being killed on the road? Do you as a cyclist think that maybe instead of talking about all the evil motorists if you got out and did something proactive to change the situation and take a little more responsibility for yourself instead of saying “I have a right to be on the road regardless of the traffic conditions and I have the right to be out in the traffic lanes because I am a Cyclist” Dont you as a cyclist feel that a pro active approach making it safer for everyone would be better than wasting your time whining?
When hunting accidents started to become a problem some people wanted to outlaw guns and hunting while othere took a proactive approach and started things like hunter safety courses. Laws were passed and enforced to wear blaze orange in the woods hikers were and are warned constanly if you go out in the woods during deer season please make yourself visible and hey guess what hunting accidents dropped dramatically.
By your own words you and other cyclists have said ‘I choose to ride a bike” there you go you have freedom of choice and that freedom brings responsibility and you “choose” to put yourself in a dangerous situation so therefore you are “Choosing” to accept the inherent risks involved.
By the way how many times have you made the “choice” to volunteer to educate riders/drivers on the hazards of the road?
Try a proactive approach to this problem and we will all be better for it sitting in here and whining is getting you nowhere.
Has any cyclist group in wisconsin lobbied for better marked bike trails that would be out of the traffic lane and make riding safer for everyone?
I know that we have a group here that works very closely with the state to provide safe trails and routes for those who “choose” to take all of the risks that are inherent to horseback riding.
Quit beating up on a woman and get off your asses and do something to make it safer for all of those that ride bikes………are you going to let your cyclist brothers die in vain or are you going to do something to make the situation better for everyone?
Kelly
butthead on August 9th, 2008 11:27 am
“Rationalization.” What a curious term. I would call it a wrong word. You cannot “rationalize” what is not already rational or irrational. It is as if “lying” were called “truthization”
Darell all you are here to do is tell us how smart you are and how stupid others are. How thoughtfull of you to see both sides to every arguement. How rational of you to assume none of us did. then a few bust you chops and you have you”see I told you so”…
if telling you to suck a big fat cock makes me gay then I ride the pole hard all fucking day son….
Tug Boat on August 9th, 2008 11:46 am
“Janell D. Gehrke of the Town of Norway allegedly was driving drunk, according to a release from the Racine County Sheriff’s Department.”
Since when has Driving Drunk been excusable. Since when has killing someone while driving drunk been defendable?
Why do I think that if we took the term “cyclist” out of this discussion Janell would look like what she is. A killer. She killed a person while knowingly breaking the law. How in the fuck is this defendable?
Why don’t we replace the term Cyclist with 8 year old boy or 21 year old pregnant woman.
What if she killed a mexican?
el jefe on August 9th, 2008 12:48 pm
Do you see why I got out of this discussion? They want a fight. They want a reason to feel that their friend was somehow in the right, or at least less wrong. All of them think that we are somehow unaware of the risks of riding, and want to blame us for taking them. Cyclist deaths get posted here a few times per week. Sometimes one gets missed. It doesn’t make it any less important or disturbing. We are more aware than anyone. Many of us have been hit. The site owner was run over by a drunk driver. I was run over by someone who ran a red light and then turned into me because he was in a hurry to get to Luby’s. I have the titanium and scars to prove it. I’ve lost friends because drivers weren’t paying attention. Many people on this site have been hit. Don’t lecture me on the risks. Don’t say that it’s my fault because I was on the road. The logic is the same as saying that people that die from gun violence are partially at fault for getting in the way of the bullet, or that a woman is at fault for getting raped because of the way that she was dressed, or that a black deserves to get lynched for moving in to the “white” part of town.
In most states bicycles are considered a vehicle, same as a car, truck, or motorcycle, and they have the full legal right to the lane they are in, even on a blind corner. Very few states have laws requiring bikes to be on the side of the road. Additionally, in most states cars are required to give at least 3 feet to a cyclist when passing. What pisses us off is that even though that is the case, the law is rarely enforced in our favor. The driver is almost always given the benefit of the doubt. Do you really think that we don’t know that we will be on the losing end of a car-bike interaction? Most riders don’t use the whole lane because drivers aren’t looking for us. Even though we have the legal right to.
Do cyclists sometimes do dumb things? Of course. However, in the 20 years that I have been bike commuting (I’m 38, so don’t give me any crap about just being a kid) I have experienced or witnessed the car be at fault 95% of the time. Most of it is because the bike slowed them down for 10 seconds, and the driver just couldn’t be bothered to wait. I’ve seen it happen, and I’ve been threatened by drivers who do this when their kids are in the car. Would extra training for cyclists help? Sure. Extra training for drivers would help more. You should go back and review the laws of the states you live in. You’ll find that you probably don’t have as much right to the road in a car as you think. Many of us at this site have visceral and brutal reactions to hearing about the death of a cyclist. Precisely because we are so close to it.
There are many great organizations working to improve conditions. Texas Bicycle Coalition is one of those groups. They do work that has a national impact. Your state probably has a similar group. They work to get the federal money that is set aside specifically for cycling to be spent on improving roads so that there are safer routes for cyclists. Money that many municipalities would rather spend on other things, sometimes not legally. What you won’t find is any of them blaming the cyclist for using their legal right to the road. Bikes ARE an alternative mode of transportation. Just because you don’t want them to be, and you want them relegated to leisure sport status, doesn’t make it so.
I firmly believe your friend will get a fair trial. Probably more than fair, since her attorney will try to paint the same picture you do: That the cyclist is at least partially at fault. Given that finding 12 reasonable people is difficult in itself, I’ll bet it will work. I wasn’t there (and neither were you). I don’t know all the facts of the case, but I don’t have much faith in the system to bring justice for the victim. Again, your efforts to support your friend would be more effective by actually helping her get through this, instead of worrying about what a bunch of strangers on the internet might be saying. Especially a site where many of us are the victims of the kind of actions your friend made. You talk about wanting cyclist to work for positive change, yet all you do is blame the victim. Why didn’t you come here saying, “I’m really sorry this happened. What do I need to do to make sure that I’m not the cause of a death?” No, you came here looking for a fight. A group of Janell’s friends got together and decided that they were going to show those nasty cyclist that they were wrong. Did you look at the name of the site before posting? It’s probably not the best venue.
I hope she comes to terms with her actions. She will need the support of her friends. Hopefully all of you will become more aware of how close to death we really are, and that the impacts of bad decisions are real, brutal, and ugly. You want to lecture us on commenting when we weren’t there, well again, neither were you. You don’t know all the facts around the incident either. You’ve gotten your information from a exceedingly biased source.
Again, I was never calling for her head. It is obvious that you didn’t actually READ my previous posts, so I don’t know why I think you might read this one. Maybe, just maybe, you can put your energy into helping your friend, instead of coming into territory you know will be hostile and talking about things you have no clue about. Again, since you are so big on what the laws say, maybe you should go review them…
Peace be with you. I will not be involved in this discussion any more.
Mikey on August 9th, 2008 2:14 pm
“Do you as a cyclist really think that your whining and crying in a chatroom is going to stop people from being killed on the road?”
Kelly-
Jesus dude, don’t be a moron. In this case, the cyclist suffered a violent, bloody death at the hands of a drunk driver. Whining? SHE’S DEAD.
“in the woods hikers were and are warned constanly if you go out in the woods during deer season please make yourself visible”
Jesus titty fucking christ! Now HIKERS better watch out, or you’ll shoot them dead??
Wow.
Mikey
Kelly on August 9th, 2008 3:15 pm
Ok folks real plain and simple this time:
instead of whipping a dead horse instead of using vigilante redneck mentality,
Why do you not get up off of your dead asses and do something GOOD and POSITIVE to make your world safer!!
Not one of you have responded to the questions asked other than the ones that you take as a personal bash against cyclists.(sort of like the ceative editing mikey used in his last post notice how he only mentioned hikers? Noticed how he neglected to mention that this is a law and there are training programs in place.)
Do you think that when the court makes its final ruling on Jenny or when the cops finaly catch the guy who hit the grandmother in the same are this week that you will be safe?
No you wont only you can change this so instead of sitting in here ragging on one case and one subject get out there and do something about it Get safer bike trails educate riders/drivers DO SOMETHING!!!
When my recreation and my pastime were in danger I organized a group that got laws changed and as it hasnt stopped every problem it has seriously minimized the incidents that we have.
Kelly
el jefe on August 9th, 2008 4:38 pm
Kelly,
You have no idea what any of us do in our time away from here, so your statement is laughable in it’s stupidity.
Mikey on August 9th, 2008 9:52 pm
“Do you think that when the court makes its final ruling on Jenny or when the cops finaly catch the guy who hit the grandmother in the same are this week that you will be safe?
No you wont”
Kelly-
Sounds like a threat to me. Please don’t hit and kill anyone, m’kay? You might get in trouble.
Yeesh.
Mikey
Dara on August 10th, 2008 1:42 pm
ENOUGH….all this bantering back and forth is not helping anyone…we all have our opinions, none of this is going to help anyone and is just getting way out of hand. On one side we have those who love Jenny and want to see her awful reputaion from the media cleaned up and thats how this all started out, now its nothing but a big internet battle of who’s right and who’s wrong. Bottom line is no one wins here. Knowing Jenny the way I do, she will take whatever punishment is given, whatever the judge decides..let’s just leave it up to him. None of this is helping and it is only maiking matters worse for Jenny emotionally that everyone is fighting on this site…its way out of control..its time to shut it down.
Tug Boat on August 10th, 2008 4:20 pm
Nevertheless Dara she killed a person and broke the law doing it.
intoxicated manslaughter; her life has changes and it is not the cyclists fault
Please pass the word, that Drinking and Driving is not and will not be tolerated.
BTW where were all her friends when she got into the car drunk? Take the keys away and call the person a cab. The life you save may be your own; it may be a cylist; it may be your child….
BTW BTW it is sad that the only outlet for those here in denile is to blame cyclists and now cyclists here posting for you I have a poem
I went to this party mom
I remembered what you said
You told me not to drink mom
So I drank soda instead.
I felt real proud inside mom
The way you said I would
Even though all my friends mom
Told me that I should.
I know I did the right thing mom
I know your always right
The party’s finally ending mom
As everyone drove out of sight.
As I got inside my car mom
I knew I’d get home in one piece
‘Cause the way you made me feel mom
So responsible so sweet.
I started to drive away mom
As I pulled into the road
The other guy didn’t see me mom
And hit me like a load.
I lay there on the pavement mom
I hear the policeman say
The other guy was drunk mom
Now I’m the one to pay.
I’m lying here dying mom
I wish you’d get here soon
How come this happened to me mom
My life bursted like a balloon.
There’s blood all around me mom
Most of it is mine
I hear the paramedics say mom
I’ll die in a short time.
He didn’t know where he was going mom
He was probably at the same party as I
There’s one big difference though mom
He’s going to live while I die.
Why do people drink mom
It can ruin your whole life
I’m feeling sharp pains mom
Just like a burning knife.
The man who hit me mom
Is walking, it’s no fair
I’m lying here dying mom
While all he does is stare.
Tell my brother not to cry mom
Tell dad to be brave
For when I’m in heaven mom
Write my name upon my grave.
Someone should have told him mom
Not to drink and drive
If they’d often take the time mom
I’d still be alive.
My breath is growing short mom
I’m becoming very scared
Please don’t cry for me mom
‘Cause when I needed you, you were there.
I have one last question mom
Before I say good-bye
I didn’t even drink mom
So why am I the one to die.
This is the end mom
I wish I could look you in the eye
To say these final words mom
I LOVE YOU & GOOD-BYE.
Mario Chippo on August 10th, 2008 4:31 pm
Clean her reputation? OK so she was a nice drunk behind the wheel.
Me Mario I like a nice girl with a little liquor in her, dont get me wrong. Tell her Mario will clean her closet any time….
butthead on August 10th, 2008 4:37 pm
Dear Kelly I have balls just ask Darell FYI
Show us your sack and please share this little fact with Janell since you are so concerned about her and want to help her so much
In Wisconsin, non-injury DUI offenses are civil convictions, injury-related DUI offenses are class D or class F felonies. Citation:§§346.63(1) & (2), 346.65(2), 346.65(3m), 939.50 & 940.25 (2)
Clean up that Rep if you can
1-800-THE-LAW2
Dara on August 10th, 2008 5:22 pm
Tugboat, Tell me something i don’t know…..like I said NO ONE WINS HERE, it’s time to shut this down….I think everyone here likes to see themselves talk…..we just need to ride this out, take one day at a time and see what happens here….enough is enough…I am done…I am focusing on supporting my sister through this, I’m out of here for good. Like I sasi earlier…this is way out of hand….
butthead on August 10th, 2008 7:29 pm
Lindsay Lohan got a DUI cuz she is a celeb. Talk about media tarnishing a reputation and she didn’t even kill anyone.
Free Lindsay Lohan
bikesgonewild on August 10th, 2008 7:48 pm
…to kelly & the other “friends of janell d gehrke“…i’ve steered clear of this discussion because “we” as regular & long time cyclists, keep ourselves informed about cycling related traffic deaths & it happens on an almost daily basis…sometimes i get involved & other times i just back away due to being overwhelmed…
…in this instance, i find that “el jefe” has chosen his words carefully & expressed enough salient points, that it’s mostly a case of “what he said”, works for me…
…i will add one particular though & reiterate another…
…regarding a statement you made “Face it cars are here to stay and cars are in the majority and roads were built with cars in mind<”…here is a counter to your empowered way of thinking as a motor vehicle driver…& not many people, including cyclists are aware if this, but allow me to offer you the opportunity to educate yourself…“By 1880, the Good Roads Movement, the political will to create a national system of improved roads, was first kindled by the League of American Wheelmen, an organization of bicyclists. Bicyclists and motorists shared a similar conception of what constituted a good road (a hard surface), as well as some similar care and maintenance needs (roadside facilities, etc.). Cyclists played a major role in revitalizing the dormant business of taking care of those who traveled the road.”…
…that being said, a point that the group of “you” are basically saying is “don’t be so quick to judge janell until you’ve walked a mile in her shoes”…it’s ironic but that is a point “we” as regular cyclists, folks who do use our bikes for transportation as well as recreation, are asking you to explore…
…if you’ve ever been intentionally cut off while driving, by someone who thought they’d educate you to their way of thinking, the old “get outa my way” kinda thing, then i ask that you try to imagine being on a bicycle, extremely vulnerable & someone in a motor vehicle who wants to “let you know” that they feel you shouldn’t be even ‘on the road’, proceeds to essentially use their vehicle as an assertive weapon, then you might get a feeling for ‘our’ need for vehemence…
…think it doesn’t happen ???…you’d be quite wrong…
…i don’t wish to belabor any points made here, so i’ll sign off but as mentioned…it’s a good & righteous act, that you support your friend, but please don’t try to defend her mistake…
…thanks…
Tug Boat on August 10th, 2008 8:22 pm
Dara; How can I tell you what you don’t know when you came here to do the that for us
“We” have ‘walked’ a mile is the dark drunk as fuck but “we” have never driven a mile in the dark drunk
Tug Boat on August 10th, 2008 8:24 pm
Wait a min Dara I do know something you don’t
Drunk Chicks think Mikey is hot!