Advocacy & Safety - Close to Home

So there was a cyclist killed yesterday here in Saint Cloud. Here's the brief article from today's paper: http://www.stcloudtimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060823/NEWS01/108220063. I don't think I've ever ridden in the area that he was killed, but it still was heavy on my mind during the ride in to work this morning.

Where things get weird is when you read this article, also in today's paper: http://www.stcloudtimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060823/BUSINESS/108230007. It's a little blurb about Granite City Schwinn moving to their new location.

Now take a second glance at both of the pictures:

http://cmsimg.sctimes.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DR&Date=20060823&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=108220063&Ref=AR&MaxW=300

http://cmsimg.sctimes.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DR&Date=20060823&Category=BUSINESS&ArtNo=108230007&Ref=AR&MaxW=300

That's the same bike.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the cyclist's family and friends.

Be careful out there, folks.

The comments on the Newspaper Forum about this article amaze me. Some people just don't get it.

http://miva.sctimes.com/miva/cgi-bin/miva?publicus/index.mv+PageAction=chat&StoryID=108220063&PubDate=20060823

Unfortunately, the comments section requires registration, and they've temporarily stopped taking new registrations. (Okay, who here overloaded the sytem?!) It's scary to read both drivers and bikers defending wrong-way cycling! :eek:

Unfortunately, the comments section requires registration, and they've temporarily stopped taking new registrations. (Okay, who here overloaded the sytem?!) It's scary to read both drivers and bikers defending wrong-way cycling! :eek:

I couldn't read the articles either. But in regard to wrong way cycling I saw a pretty scary example yesterday out on my ride. I was riding east of Kitchener approaching a short but steep hill with a blind reverse slope. Ahead of me was a 15 year old kid on a boat anchor masquerading as a dual suspension ATB. He was struggling mightily to keep his wheels turning on the climb on the left side of the road approaching the blind hill. Because of the strain, he was weaving all over half of the lane. The road carries a moderate amount of traffic and the speed limit is 80 km/h although many people go faster including the occasional cement truck. YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I could read the article and comments okay, I just couldn't add a comment. Which I really, really, really wanted to do, to reply to all the misinformed comments that had been made about riding against traffic being better!

Just in case you can't read the articles:


Police investigate fatal bike collision
Times staff report

Published: August 23. 2006 1:30AM

A 22-year-old St. Cloud man died Tuesday afternoon after he was hit by a recycling truck while bicycling in the 100 block of Lincoln Avenue Northeast.

The man’s name was withheld Tuesday night to allow notification of relatives, according to St. Cloud police.

The collision happened about 1:45 p.m. in front of Phillips Recycling, Sgt. Jerry Edblad said.

A Phillips truck and the bicyclist were traveling north on Lincoln Avenue, he said.

Preliminary investigation shows that the bicyclist might have driven into the side of the truck, Sgt. Jim Feeny said.

The bicyclist was taken to St. Cloud Hospital. The crash remains under investigation, and the State Patrol is assisting police to determine what happened.





New, moving and expanding: Bicycle shop has new home
By Michelle Ma

Published: August 23. 2006 1:30AM

mma@stcloudtimes.com

WAITE PARK — Granite City Schwinn moved last week to a Waite Park building that doubles the space the bike shop had occupied in St. Cloud.

Its new location at 47 Fourth St. NE has a larger bicycle showroom, and more storage and repair space than the previous location, owner Gary Bekkerus said.

The new location is a much needed improvement, he said, after about 35 years at the First Street and 25th Avenue shop.

“It’s just a good fit for us,” he said.

Four to eight employees will be hired as bicycle mechanics and salespeople to accommodate the larger showroom and repair shop.

Granite City Schwinn carries several bike brands and equipment.

With the added square footage, the store can better display other fitness equipment for sale, Bekkerus said. The store will likely expand to sell Nordic-ski equipment.

Out-N-About Gear used to occupy the Waite Park location, so the space is able to handle bicycles and equipment. Some customers have stopped by the store unaware of the business change, he said.

After 16 years of selling sporting equipment to outdoors enthusiasts, Out-N-About Gear closed in June.

Granite City Schwinn serves the St. Cloud area, Minnesota and some out-of-state customers.