One More Idiot Driver, But Also One More Good Cop

It was in Brookfield, coming down Elmbrook hill. I was going 35 which happens to be the speed limit on that road so I was not in the bike lane. Last time I was on that hill the bike lane had sand on it and anyone who knows the hill knows the bike lane jogs left and right. The last thing I want to be doing when I'm going 35 is cutting left and right to stay in a bike lane.

Driver starts to pass me once and then lays back and comes back to pass me again, this time getting closer than the first time. All at 35 mph.

Officer Smith responded and was very professional. He asked me multiple times if I was O.K. and said he would make contact with the driver. I left it with him as I usually do with officers who are professional. I told him if, after talking to the driver, he believed the driver would not endanger cyclists again, that should be the end of it. If he thought the driver might do this again, I would like a citation issued. He agreed that was fair. I'll let you know how it turns out. By the way what a great day for a ride! Got 50 in and hope for another 50 Sunday.

On a different note, I heard from my brother who is building me some light bodies. I have to install the guts, but the basic shape is done. They look pretty cool. LED, should be about 200 lumens each, total cost about $35.

Stop Sign Update

I talked to the West Allis Police Department yesterday. I found out that the guy who ran the stop sign and almost hit me was cited for failing to stop. Thanks to the folks at the P.D. who handled this quickly and professionally.
Hopefully this guy learned a little something and will be a little more careful from now on.

Now a Word From our Sponsors...

Actually a word about our sponsors. Don't automatically tune out. You might want to hear this. Went out for a quick 50 today and wore the new lid for the first time. The Lazer Genesis. Wow, the most comfortable helmet I've ever worn.
Most people who know me and many who read this know that I'm a man of principle. I would pay a thousand dollars to fight a 20 dollar ticket just for the principle.
Those principles also extend to sponsors. I got my first sponsorship years ago with Clifbar because I loved their products. I have been fortunate to be sponsored by other companies along the way who happen to have great products. I've written about the Ergon BD2 backpack, and their grips saved me numb hands in many a race. I love my Oakleys. Lazer is no exception. This helmet is awesome. I'll write more about it soon, but know that I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it. I wouldn't say good things just to get free or discounted stuff it it was crappy stuff.
Seriously check out my sponsors, they have great stuff and they are good people too.
More later
Bikesafer
Jeff
p.s. no bad close calls today. Lets go for 2 days in a row

Another Left Cross

This one was close. And It was in my own neighborhood before I even really got started on the ride. You can clearly see the stop sign he blew. Police are being notified. I'll let you know what they say.

Edit: I'm told it was a drive out not a left cross. I'm not sure what it's called for sure other than a motorist who didn't care what he did to a cyclist, but it could have been worse: Scary story

Brookfield Update

Well it only took 2 letters to the Brookfield Chief of Police, 2 emails to the Brookfield City Attorney and about 100 calls to the Police Department, the City Attorney's office and the Mayor's office, but over a month after I first raised concerns, I've been given assurances that the Brookfield Police Department understands, and will enforce fairly, the laws regarding bicycles.

I'm posting all the correspondence I've had with various public officials so you all can appreciate the amount of effort it took just to get them to address this issue. As of yet I have not heard back from the Police Chief or the Mayor about my ideas to help make their roads safer. I'll let you know if I do. I'll have more thoughts on all this later.

Left Cross, Kind Of

Boy I hope the wind is not as bad in Iowa as it is in Wisconsin today, or everyone doing Trans Iowa is going to be miserable.
The good news is that not everyone who does stupid things toward bikes on the road is out to get us. The bad news is there are still a lot of people doing stupid things out there. That's why
education is so important.

I had my first non passing close call in a long time. Thankfully I had a sand covered turn lane to escape into if necessary. I chased the driver down for about 3 miles and when I caught up to him the first thing he said was "sorry". He said he saw me but then when the other car came by he forgot about me. At least next time he might be a little more careful since I gave him an earful when it happened, (no profanities), and was very calm and nice when I caught him.
It was a great ride in spite of the horrendous wind. Maybe more miles tomorrow.

A Snappy Little Ride

I wanted to do a little 20 mile time trial type ride before work. Unfortunately my bike had other ideas. The snap in the snappy little ride was my right hand crank arm snapping off under hard acceleration from a stop sign. I was lucky to keep the bike upright and I think I escaped with just a bruise from falling on the top tube. Hopefully the day gets better from here. On the positive side all the cars gave me plenty of room even when I was riding with one leg. Thanks to my in-laws, I didn't have to do the one leg thing all the way home the last 10 miles.