Ky Venom

Check out the replies on the Backpacker forum.


I guess I would have expected most to have a better handle on the situation. Below is the original post. Some of the replies were absolutely NUTS!





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A local man was ran down in the street like a dog.

THAT is journalism at its best. Obviously, it is one of the most forthright and insightful editorial comments of our time. If more writers thought that clearly, this country would be a lot better off.


Cronen was the experienced cyclist who was struck and killed earlier this month on the Second Street Bridge, going from downtown Louisville to Indiana. One of my offices is at the corner of where that bridges is. My office overlooks the site of the murder.

His death came just two days before he was to have met with the mayor’s office to discuss special signage that would have alerted motorists that bicycles are on the roadway.

The day he was killed riding across the bridge, many people asked why a cyclist was even riding on it in the first place. The fact is that it is the only way to travel between Kentucky and Indiana within forty miles for a cyclist. Also, bicycles are considered vehicles by law. They are allowed on any road unless otherwise posted, and they are not allowed up on sidewalks.

This awful event took place just before rush hour. It resulted in the primary bridge from downtown Louisville directly into Indiana being shut down. That bridge comes down directly into the heart of downtown. As a result, traffic was at a stand still. Drivers downtown just mentally overheated and became bigger maniacs than usual. Without regard to the fact that a man had been killed in the street like a dog, they demonstrated a total disregard for others. All they had to do was turn on there radios and head for the interstate, only a few blocks away. How hard should that be for a motorist, (which I am one at times)? I found myself walking home through the crazed streets, dodging traffic as vehicles ran stop lights. That day, I was walking instead of riding my bike. I have been recovering from eye surgery, and have not been biking for a few weeks now. Downtown was a made house. It was like something out the movie, "Escape from New York".


Besides that, I had a similar experience a little over a year ago. While returning to work, a crazed woman ran me down in the street. She broke my arm in multiple places. When I got up and gathered myself self together, she stepped out of her car and said, "what are you doing in the street"? OMG! People that stupid or crazy should NOT be allowed out in public unchained!

I can still feel the pins and plates in arm on certain days. I'm lucky to be alive.


Here is the article describing the rally downtown today to call for felony charges to be filed against the driver.

Here is the video describing the rally downtown today to call for felony charges to be filed against the driver. It may take a moment to buffer up, but it does work.

Another article mentions the lack of a serious attitude.

This is the article in the paper the day following the murderous rampage.

This is a high level view of where it happened. The shot was taken while the bridge was shut down.



Here are several picks of what the mangled bike looked liked after the murderer ran over it.











Here is a picture of the murderer's vehicle.



All of the photos are available at this link.



His obituary :



By law, dogs are to be restrained in public. If one is loose in the street, and resultantly killed, not much is done about it. Hence, the inspiration for subject line...

notzofast

I have a question. Was the rider on the side walk or on the road???


He better have been on the sidewalk, because that road is too narrow for a car and bike. If that road to be ridden bike must take the whole lane.

pirate golf

Sounds like an old fashioned accident to me. I love when things get blown out of proportion to make 'cagers' look like enemies in some made up war.

Bikepacker67

How much road riding do you do?

dapittbull69

It is ILLEGAL to ride a bike on sidewalks. Bicyclist have just as much right to the road as cars. If i'm on a road like that I ride in the middle of the lane until I am at a place where I feel comfortable to let the cars pass me.

Blue Jays

Did the driver know the cyclist at all? Were they fighting about something?

Bushman

what part of "ITS ILLEGAL TO RIDE A BICYCLE ON THE SIDEWALK" do you not understand?

cat4ever

What do you want the backpackers to do about it?

notzofast

ILLEGAL does not make it something cops want to enforce.


Let's get familiar with the term.


Law Maker - Stupid riders that kill themselves on their bikes causing stupid laws to be made 'For our protection.'

https://www.totalmotorcycle.com/dictionary/L.htm


That lane is too darn narrow for a bike and a car. Thus riding in the middle is an option. However, in my book the road is too long to ride in the middle, cars behind you get pissed off. (not every driver knows your stupid law, nor cares about YOUR STUPID LAW).

What I would do there is ride the sidewalk. If not, I'd walk with my bike on the sidewalk. What can they do, write me a ticket? LOL. Whatever, I can live with ticket if it saves my life. Because risking your life in order not to get a stupid piece of paper, is what???

Come on now. It's the word that starts with an S.

evblazer

What is the speedlimit on that road? I know it is illegal to ride on the sidewalk but that road/bridge looks really unfriendly to ride on.

SweetLou

Murder?

Ky Venom

He was in the road, as he should have been. He was riding. That is not to be done on the sidewalk.

The thread explains the details.

Here is the answer to your question, as others have implied likewise.

https://forums.backpacker.com/eve/for...023#3981049023

Ky Venom

No. Just a wreckless driver.

Tom Stormcrowe

Frankly, I'd ride that sidewalk as well! I'm familiar with that bridge and I could care less if it's illegal to ride that sidewalk......right of way and take the lane doesn't equate with a Suicide pact to my mind!

Ky Venom

GREAT QUESTION! NOT ONE ASKED THAT.

Many are cyclist. Supposedly, all enjoy the outdoors. I would think they would be more supportive.

I would ask they post their concern, so that it can be shown to the mayor. It would effort our national image. He cares about that.

Ky Venom

I'm going to start carrying my hiking poles with me while walking. Hope I don't have any accidents with you on the sidewalk.

Term - legally defensible .

Ky Venom

Of course.

The man was ran down in the street like a dog.

Ky Venom

Thanks for making things more dangerous for everyone. Thanks for adding to the WRONG attitude that cyclist can be intimidated out of the way.

notzofast

Listen, Kv Venoom. Man.


For a bike and car to travel safely one the same road, two things must happen.


A) Biker must know what to do.

B) Motorist must know what to do.


How many motorists are not aware that bicycles are just like cars and follow the same traffic laws??

How many motorists see an arse hole on the road instead of a precious life on the bike??



When you answer these questions my little friend, you will begin to understand, that making all drivers aware and think the same way you think is impossible.

notzofast

Great!!! Way to go little buddy. Your attitude is "my way or the hiway and I'm willing to die for my way."


If it don't kill you it make you stronger. If it does kill you then who cares.


In other words you don't think your life is precious. I for once do think that my life is precious and I act accordingly when I'm out there.

Ky Venom

Well, my little friend, I do not roll over as easily.

Years ago, some people took issue with concepts like "back of the bus!", and similar. Fact was, they did NOT have a legal right, at the time, to an alternative. They went out an had equal rights declared. They were not being endangered with the legal practices of the times. They were "just" being degraded.

MY points are FAR more significant, obvious, and clear, compared to those from 40 years ago . Cyclist already have a declared right to the road, amongst other traffic. Those rights are being infringed. The is about far more than dignity, it is about life itself.

I have the character to fight for what is right, even when others do not.

Blue Jays

We don't know the dynamics of the accident. What were the weather conditions at the time? Was it a foggy and dismal day with the rider in a gray outfit and a dark helmet? Blinkies in use? Vehicle laws should be enforced, and if we run around calling people "murderers" due to an unfortunate accident, it makes us look a bit unstable. The driver probably feels horrible and will see the image of that horrible event in his/her mind everyday for the rest of his/her life.

cat4ever

Ask me how much I care about the average backpacker, since I don't "backpack".

Blue Jays

Ky Venom, if a truck hits you at speed, you're still dead. Even dead right.

Cyclists must adapt to changing conditions to whatever is safest at the moment. I opt not to use MUPs or similar pathways, in the example of that bridge, I likely would have been riding on the walkway because it seems the safest and appears plenty wide for moderately rapid pedaling.

Ky Venom

Yeah, and I'm the "little" here buddy. Right.

It is called the LEGAL way.

Oh, and yes, I have put my life on the line... MANY times for this nation. The least I can do is stand up for myself.


1) Unlike you, I am doing something with Advocacy groups to change that.

2) Louisville does have cameras down town. So, that should help in prosecution.

3) I have enough money and contact that I should get some attention.





I think life is precious, until a person cross a legal boundary. Then, all bets are off. My life and that of others is important to me that I have defended with my violence, and in court. I SHALL continue.

Sua Sponte !

Ky Venom