In the wake of the Distracted Driving Summit comes this excellent video report from SoCal Connected, clearly demonstrating the danger of cell phone use while driving. They even compared it to driving drunk — with surprising results.

Distracted drivers are an increasing threat to cyclists and pedestrians. VBF supports further restrictions on cell phone use, such as a hands-free requirement like California’s. (Texting is already banned in Virginia.) Resistance from cell phone companies is to be expected, but the biggest political hurdle may be legislators themselves, who aren’t willing to give up their own cell phones.

This video does a great job showing just how far out into the roadway we need to ride, to avoid being “doored.” Please share it!

The instructor in this video is Preston Tyree, head of education (Smart Cycling, formerly BikeEd) for the League of American Bicyclists.

A recent cyclist fatality in Virginia Beach has sparked much discussion about bike safety on our roads, cyclists’ rights on our roads, and the responsibility of drivers for cyclists’ safety.  This video, courtesy of the League of Illinois Bicyclists, gives a good overview for both drivers and cyclists:

This next video demonstrates riding safely on roads with heavy traffic and higher speeds.  Courtesy of CyclistView.

As the New York Times Cityroom reports today, there’s a strong link between alcohol and cycling deaths. Autopsies of bike accident victims in New York City have shown that about 21 percent had been drinking, according to a study published in the April edition of Traffic Injury Prevention. Studies from other cities have shown similar patterns. Maybe it’s time for a series of “friends don’t let friends bike drunk” campaigns!

When chased by an attacking dog, most people are afraid of being bitten. But the greatest danger to a cyclist, by far, is that the dog will cause a crash. Though painful and unpleasant, dog bites are rarely serious, even if they require a trip to the emergency room. Dog-bike crashes, on the other hand, frequently cause injuries that are very serious indeed.

An unfortunate example is the cyclist who suffered a serious head injury during this year’s Bike Virginia. As also reported by the Bristol Herald Courier, local cyclists cite dogs as their greatest hazard.

In our bike club of about 120 members, at least 8 riders have been taken down by dogs in the last 5 years. None were actually bitten. But 4 were seriously injured — 2 with a broken pelvis and multiple other injuries, one with a broken collarbone that required surgery, and one needed several rounds of reconstructive dental surgery over a span of 2 years. All were out of work for periods of weeks to months.

If this isn’t serious, I don’t know what is.

Other bike clubs in rural areas probably have similar experience. This is a public safety issue that law enforcement should be taking seriously. People are being hurt, in significant numbers.

To me, being injured in a dog-induced crash is no different than actually being mauled. So it should be treated the same way under the law. VBF encourages the use of Virginia’s dangerous dog registry to control problem dogs that chase cyclists; and to restrict dog owners who allow their dogs to injure people.

VBF is working on an information campaign for cyclists, for law enforcement, and for dog owners. In the meantime, if you are involved in a dog-bike crash:

• Call the police or sheriff’s dept. immediately, and insist that they press charges. Most Virginia municipalities do have some kind of law that prohibits loose dogs (leash law).
• Discuss the dangerous dog registry with the police or sheriff’s dept., and the animal control officer. They may not know it, but the dangerous dog law can be applied if a person is injured by a dog in any way, not limited to bites.
• Know that any conviction for a leash law violation and use of the dangerous dog registry will help you get compensated for your medical expenses, and property damage to your bike and clothing — from the dog owner’s insurance company, or in civil or small claims court.

“Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles.” –John Forrester

This video by Brian D’Souza and Dan Gutierrez shows how, and why:

The discussion following this video on YouTube is well worth reading too, as it covers both California and Virginia law about lane position.

Update: if you’d like to learn to ride confidently and safely in traffic, like the cyclists in this video, and you live in northern Virginia or the District, consider Allen Muchnick’s summer 2008 bike safety classes.

D’Souza and Gutierrez are doing some great work with their Dual Chase View (TM) video technique. You can see some of their other videos at CyclistView, where they also have powerpoint presentations, and other bike safety training materials available.

As veteran bike advocate John Forrester said, “Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles.” Accident statistics reflect this, as more bike accidents happen when cyclists act as “pedestrians on wheels” — riding against traffic, on sidewalks, etc.

An article in North Carolina’s Independent Weekly explains the concept of bicycle driving better than most, and illustrates the value of bicycle driver training. With the aid of League Cycling Instructor Bruce Rosar, writer Bob Geary returns to cycling in downtown Raleigh after a 44 year hiatus. Some of the things Bob learns are:

• Obey stop signs, yield signs and red lights.
• Ride with the traffic.
• Take the lane for yourself—the travel lane—when you’re comfortable doing so, especially when you’re keeping up with traffic.
• If the lane is wide enough, and you’re comfortable “sharing” it, move to the right side of it and let cars come alongside in the same lane.
• The general rule is, slower traffic stays on the right. However, if there isn’t room to the right—a narrow lane with no shoulder, for example, or not much of one—and it would be unsafe to go there, don’t. Stay in your lane.
• Also in general, the safest position when taking the lane is the “primary” position, which is in the middle of it, where you’re the most visible to cars coming from behind.

Why do we not need bike lanes in our cities? Read the article to find out.

The Independent Weekly has lots of other good articles about biking, so check them out too.

This video of some basketball players shows brilliantly how we don’t see what we’re not looking for, but we do see what we are looking for — so we need to watch for cyclists. Courtesy of Transport for London, via Boingboing.