Valencia Hit-and-Run Suspect Arrested

Many other blogs have covered the story of Andrew Bennett, who was struck by a hit-and-run driver while riding with his 4-year-old son on July 1. The driver was reportedly talking on a cell phone, and ran a red light.

The good news in this story is that a suspect was just arrested by the SFPD.

Hopefully the medical costs of Andrew's injuries won't break his family, and he'll be able to work again. I suppose we should simply be glad he and his son are alive at all.

No props to the Chron on this one, sadly: not only did they not cover the story, but actually published several anti-cyclist Letters to the Editor on the days following.

I'm especially impressed with this comment of Andrew's:

"... even if you ride a little bit around the city it makes you feel really good. I really miss the best way to move in San Francisco."

Amen.

Road Rage Redux

Another place not to go riding: Naperville, IL.

A 67-year-old tried to run over a kid on a BMX bike, got the bike wedged onto her car, and fled the scene. Just look at those dead eyes -- this lady would as soon kill you as look at you.

I love the air-quotes around 'intentionally', as though the editor were audibly sneering at the kid's version of the story.

Driver Shoots Bicyclist, Film At 11

A guy is out bicycling with his wife, and their three-year-old kid in a child seat. A driver argues with him about "child safety," and SHOOTS HIM IN THE HEAD. Well, that's showing him!

After three readings, I'm still puzzled by this story. If you actually care about a guy keeping his kid safe, how do you end up deciding that shooting him is the thing to do? It doesn't make sense. So I think it's basically all bullshit.

This is what I think actually happened. The bicyclist did something that pissed off the driver. The driver went berserk and shot him in a fit of road rage. Then the newspaper BENT OVER BACKWARD trying to justify it:

• He's a firefighter! Those guys are HEROES! 9/11!
  
• He was concerned about the child's safety!
• Hey, it was a busy street!
• And anyway, he didn't kill the guy -- his helmet stopped the bullet! Maybe it was just a warning shot!
  

So he was arrested for attempted murder, and is now out on bail, enjoying "paid administrative leave" (i.e., vacation).

What did I learn? Never, ever try to go on a family bike ride in Asheville, NC.

Oh, and WEAR YOUR HELMET!