Black Armband Saturday: #108

I am sorry for any inconvenience, but Blogger has been down for a couple of days.

Today it Black Armband Saturday in honor of Wouter Weylandt (#108), the Giro rider who died in a violent crash during a descent on Stage 3. It is also in honor of all the nameless and numberless others who have lost their lives cycling the world's roadways.

Wouter Weylandt Links:

• Photo of Giro Tribute to Weylandt.
• Foundation to support Weylandt's girlfriend who is pregnant with his child.
• How dangerous is cycling? Some perspectives.
• VeloNews Editorial: A Death in the Family.

From the FB Group:

As cyclists we wear different jerseys, ride with different teams,groups, shops or clubs however one thing doesn't change - we are a community who love and share the same passion. This Saturday, no matter where you are or who you ride with why not wear a black armband as a sign of your support and a showing of our strength and unity as a cycling community who together mourn the tragic passing of Wouter Weylandt of the Leopard Trek team and local Australian youngster, Shamus Liptrot both talented cyclists no longer with us. May they rest in peace.

Whilst the passing of Wouter and Shamus has lead to this event being created let's also use this day to remember those that have lost their lives or been injured through racing/training accidents in the past.

Remember you don't have to be on the bike on Saturday to show your support - you can wear the black armband wherever you will be.

Death Links For May:

• Cyclist dies in Anchorage.
• Abu Dhabi: Where They Hunt Cyclists For Sport.
• Father and son killed by driver high on "bath salts".
• Cyclist killed by garbage truck.
• Oak Park Memorial Ride for all those killed on two wheels.

Ride Safe!

Death An Expected Part of Cycling?

It is the holiday season again, and this is the time of year when I conduct my annual White Elephant gift exchange. Every year there is at least one student who tries to fudge the rules and cheat just a little bit by giving a second hand gift, or having mom go out and choose something stupid.

The rules are very clear: 1) Buy a gift valued between NTxxxx and NTxxxx. 2) Choose the gift yourself. 3) Choose a gift you wouldn't mind getting yourself.

These simple rules outline a sort of Rawlsian idea of Justice as Fairness and I can often use it as an example to teach some very basic ideas about justice, law and following even the little rules.

I will choose some examples in society where people try to "cheat" just a little bit and decide to break a small rule, that can have dire consequences. I usually choose construction codes and traffic.

Yesterday, a couple days after this explanation, one of my students returned from a one-day absence and I asked where she had been. She had been at her aunt's funeral. Her aunt was only 38 years old and had been riding an old bike to one of the markets.

Someone had decided to blow a red light, because they were in a hurry, and killed her aunty.

As a cyclist this really strikes a nerve. I am even more upset when I think about how the government spends money on cycling tourism over making an overall riding environment that is safer by enforcing the laws and managing safe bikeways.

I am sure this is "bad voodoo", but here is a sample of just some of the stories that have been circulating over the past month or so from the English speaking press.

Taiwan's traffic situation is much worse.

• Texas Cyclist seriously hurt.
• Washington County cyclist killed in Oregon crash.
• Hawaii Pacific cyclist killed on bike.
• Hit-and-Run Driver Let off.
• New Zealand Woman gets life ... of self-haterd after killing three cyclists.
• Aussie Drunk Kills Cyclist.
• Five New Zealand cyclists killed in one week.
• 15 yo. Vancouver rider in serious condition after being struck by a car.
• Cycling brothers killed in collision.
• Seven Italian cyclists killed in head-on collision with a car.
• Dead cyclist gets... a memorial.
• Dead cyclist's family gets... settlement.
• Widower rides century for wife killed by car.
• Baltimore family gets cash for cyclist's life.
• Cyclist injured in collision with a van.
• Cyclist hit, driver flees.
• 5 cyclists die in five days.
• Boy almost becomes 6th victim in recent spate of cycling deaths.
• "Dad's Army" Cyclist Killed.
• Riders stage tribute to fallen rider in Redlands.
• Driver gets 90 days in hit and run.
• Louisville man guilty in cyclist's death.
• Los Altos woman killed on bike.
• Vancouver cyclist injured by car.
• Injured cyclist eager to trade millions for his old life.
• No charges brought in Montreal cycling deaths.
• Dead cyclist identified.
• Cyclist fatally doored in Harlem.
• 
  
• Another cyclist from club dies beneath auto.