On Day 195 of Los Angeles’ Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate traffic deaths by 2025, activists convened to voice their frustrations following the tragic hit-and-run death of 26-year-old Blake Ackerman on Fountain Avenue.
Ackerman was struck by an older-model BMW sedan while riding westbound on Fountain near Gardner Street on July 10. The driver fled the scene, leaving Ackerman critically injured. He was later transported to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.
In response to this heartbreaking incident, a small group of protesters descended upon the intersection on Friday evening, demanding immediate safety improvements in the area.
Local cyclist and advocate Nicholas Renteria spearheaded the grassroots demonstration, emphasizing the need for a more responsive government in addressing street safety concerns.
“This isn’t a fight between drivers and cyclists,” Renteria stated. “It’s a fight between people and a government that’s not being responsive.”
Community outrage has been brewing for years, as advocacy groups have been vocal about the need for enhancements to this dangerous corridor.
While plans for safety improvements have recently gained momentum, they remain stalled due to ongoing disputes over parking versus pedestrian safety.
Local leaders pointed to the forthcoming Fountain Avenue Streetscape Project, which aims to introduce measures such as protected bike lanes and wider sidewalks to increase safety for both cyclists and pedestrians.
A community meeting to discuss this project is scheduled for August 19 at Plummer Park, as local advocates hope that greater awareness will translate into action before another life is lost.
In related news, a 79-year-old man in San Diego’s Clairemont neighborhood sustained serious injuries when a cyclist struck him while he was walking in a bike lane. The victim suffered significant injuries, including a skull fracture and a brain bleed. As of now, details surrounding how the accident occurred are unclear.
Meanwhile, discussions around cycling infrastructure are also intensifying in Canada, where the provincial government of Alberta is purportedly reviewing bike lanes that have faced opposition from residents concerned about reduced road capacity.
Over in Australia, police have launched an investigation to identify six men involved in a brutal road rage attack against a cyclist. Following a confrontation between two cars and a pair of bike riders, the occupants of the vehicles pursued the cyclists onto the curb, where they assaulted one of the riders with baseball bats. One cyclist managed to escape.
On the other side of the spectrum, incidents of cyclists behaving recklessly have also arisen. In New York, a teenager riding an e-bike was killed by a hit-and-run driver while fleeing from police, who suspected him of a knifepoint robbery. A 28-year-old driver was later arrested in connection with the incident.
In local developments, the organization Streets For All distributed their July newsletter, announcing that $7 million has been allocated for environmental clearance work on the proposed extension of the Ballona Creek bike path.
The LAPD remains hesitant to adopt bait bike programs after concerns from the City Attorney’s office regarding potential entrapment—but police in Huntington Beach recently arrested a bike thief who stole a bait bike valued at over $2,000, leading to felony charges.
Nationally, Bike Magazine has published a roundup of top bike locks for different needs, while Outside highlights seven prime bikepacking trips across the United States that unfortunately exclude routes in California.
An alarming hit-and-run incident in Oregon left a woman lying in a ditch for hours after a driver collided with her bike late Saturday night. She was discovered the next morning, suffering from serious leg, facial, and other injuries. Calls for the driver to be charged with attempted murder are growing as the community grapples with the implications of such negligence.
In Nevada, the cycling community mourns the loss of Bob Crane, the founder of Bob’s Bikes, who passed away after a battle with prostate cancer. Crane was well-known for having repaired and donated over one thousand bicycles to underprivileged children.
In another stark reminder of nature’s unpredictability, a cyclist in Urbandale, Iowa was killed when a tree fell on them while they were riding on a trail.
In a quirky but competitive spirit, the 11th annual Penny Farthing bike race took place over the weekend, drawing participants from around the globe.
Internationally, a Grand Fondo event in Vancouver turned tragic as one cyclist was killed and two others were injured when a driver collided with a group of bicyclists.
In response to safety concerns, police in an Ontario city put cyclists on a stationary bike to simulate the experience of being passed too closely by drivers, revealing the unsettling feelings many felt during the exercise.
In a more positive outcome, a British driver was jailed for nine years for killing a 70-year-old woman while she was walking her bike across the street, having already faced previous DUI charges.
Cargo bikes are gaining traction, dominating discussions at the Eurobike show, leading to plans for a future cargo bike-specific exhibition.
Last but not least, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay recently completed his first triathlon in Luxembourg after recovering from a serious bicycle crash last year.
In Malaysia, the National Cycling Federation criticized the declining tolerance between cyclists and motor vehicle drivers, emphasizing the need for improved coexistence on the roads.
Conversely, cycling rates have surged by 40% in New Zealand’s largest cities since 2017, indicating an upward trend for cycling utilization, although advocates believe there is still ample room for improvement.
In competitive cycling news, Tim Merlier of Europe excelled in the Tour de France, clinching victory in the ninth stage while defending champion Tadej Pogačar managed to hold onto the yellow jersey, despite challenges presented by key competitors and changes in team dynamics.
Pogačar’s team faced difficulties with the injury of critical domestique João Almeida, who had to abandon the race after a fall.
As competitive tensions simmer within the peloton, Pogačar expressed frustration with the tactical maneuvers employed by rival teams, wanting to dictate the pace of the race himself.
In Italy, Elisa Longo Borghini celebrated her second consecutive Giro d’Italia victory, finishing precisely 18 seconds ahead of her competitors, while Sarah Gigante made a triumphant return to the podium.
Baja California’s Isaac del Toro has proven his mettle by winning the 75th Tour of Austria after securing a second-place finish at the Giro.
Finally, stories abound from cyclists and their experiences on the road, including tips for protecting one’s bike from thieves using modern technology, illustrating the ever-evolving relationship between cycling and urban living.
As discussions on road safety, infrastructure improvements, and community action continue to develop, one thing remains evident: the cyclists’ dialogue about safety and accountability is crucial for a sustainable future on the streets.
Until next time, stay safe, stay healthy, and don’t forget to get vaccinated.
image source from：bikinginla
