Bicyclist Killed In Hit-And-Run: Information Needed!

James Steven Swarzman, a 47 year old competitive and recreational bicycle rider, was killed in a hit-and-run early last Sunday morning.  He was on a training ride with two other bicyclists and, at near North Coast Highway 101 and Jason Street, was hit was hit from behind by a dark-colored pickup truck at about 1:00 am.  Although he was air lifted to La Jolla Scripps Memorial Hospital, he was, according to the 10news.com article, pronounced dead three hours later.

It would be tempting to call this tragic event an accident, but authorities are investigating the possibility that Swarzman was hit on purpose.  According to a witness, the driver never slowed down.

This is the second hit-and-run collision in this area recently, the first involved Heath Bernstein, who was riding his bicycle on Highway 101 in Carlsbad when he was run down by a dark-colored pickup truck.  According to Bernstein, he believes that the driver of the truck, who “came across one empty lane of traffic and the bike lane” hit him on purpose.

Authorities are looking for a “newer model Ford F-150 pickup, either blue or dark-colored, with obvious front end damage, probably to the headlights” in connection with this accident.  According to the 10News article, the truck involved in Sunday’s tragedy is almost identical to the one in Bernstein’s hit-and-run collision.

UPDATE: Detectives are now looking for a Dodge Ram pickup truck, see the details of the vehicle in question here.

Ride safe–it is a crazy world out there.

LA Mayor Becomes Bicycle Advocate After Shattering Elbow In Crash

When Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa took to the streets of LA on his bicycle in July, he expected to enjoy the weather and the neighborhood, not come back with a shattered elbow. But a shattered elbow is exactly what he got after a taxi pulled out in front of him suddenly (and without signaling), causing him to swerve and fall.

Villaraigosa, who has been fairly quiet about the notorious bicyclist-motorist problems in LA, has been transformed into an activist for the bicycling community by his experience. In a New York Times article Villaraigosa is quoted as saying the following about his accident: “I’ll tell you what I came away with: that in the area of bicycling, I’ve got to do a better job and the city’s got to do a better job.”

MSNBC has picked up on it too–apparently the degree of frustration inherent in riding bicycles in Los Angeles is top news these days! Hallelujah!

Although my condolences go out to Villaraigosa and his likely painful elbow, I hope his injury is a policy-changer around here; we bicyclists need all the help we can get in order to make the roads safe.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck On Bicyclist’s Side

It looks like bicycling advocates and bicyclists everywhere have finally gotten their wish: LAPD Chief Charlie Beck has vowed to do a better job protecting the “most vulnerable commuters” on the road.

The promised course of action potentially includes new training for LAPD officers as well as a document specifically outlining an officer’s responsibility to bicyclists.

The conflict between drivers and bicyclists springs eternal, but the case of “The Road Rage Doctor” has galvanized much of the bicycling community.

For the details of the meeting, visit the Los Angeles Time’s article here.

LA Cyclist Relieved As “Road Rage Doctor” Jailed

The so-called “Road Rage Doctor” was convicted of mayhem, assault with a deadly weapon, battery with serious injury, and reckless driving causing injury.  He’s been sentenced to five years and prison, and Ron Peterson, one of the injured bicyclists in the case, was understandably relieved.

Peterson discusses life after his injuries in a great interview on BikeRadar.com.  You can read the insightful article here.

Mandaville Canyon “Road Rage” Doctor Sentenced to Five Years

Just minutes ago Dr. Christopher Thomas Thompson, the Brentwood doctor that was convicted of critically injuring two bicyclests in July of last year was sentenced to five years in prison.

According to the Los Angeles Times, LA County Superior Court Judge Scott T. Millington called the case a “wake-up call” to motorists and cyclists and urged local government to provide riders with more bike lanes.  He further stated that he believed that Thompson had shown a lack of remorse during the case and that the victims were particularly vulnerable while riding their bicycles.

Read the complete LA Times story here.
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