LAB Comments on U.S.DOT Notice of Proposed Law

APRIL 29, 2010
LAB Comments on Distracted Driving
U.S.DOT notice of proposed rulemaking

LAB would like to take this opportunity to inform you that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking Limiting the Use of Wireless Communication Devices. Comment period concludes on May 3, 2010 – LAB

http://capwiz.com/lab/issues/alert/?alertid=14971921&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id

League of American Bicyclists Comments to FMCSA

The League of American Bicyclists is pleased to have the opportunity to comment on the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) notice of proposed rulemaking
to limit the use of wireless communication devices.

Safe, responsible driving requires concentration. While there have always been many
distractions on the road, technology and hundreds of new gadgets have given drivers
many more distractions. The proliferations of technologies designed for and available to
drivers have currently overtaken the ability of state and local laws to monitor and regulate
usage. Roads in the United States are getting more dangerous.

In 2008, there were 5.8 million crashes reported to the police, causing 2.3 million injuries
and nearly forty thousand deaths. The estimated annual cost, in adjusted 2010 dollars, of
all crashes is $296.8 billion.

We understand that FMCSA’s rulemaking will impose sanctions, including civil penalties
and disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle, including school buses.

We would strongly urge the FMCSA to consider that any revenue from distracted driving
fines should go to safety programs. The income from all fines for distracted driving
should be put toward awareness programs and marketing campaigns, street safety and
targeted traffic enforcement (assistance for police department to do explicit traffic stops
and ticketing for distracted driving). These efforts should emphasize safety for all road
users, including the most vulnerable, such as children, cyclists and pedestrians.

Furthermore, fines in school zones, or from school bus driver infractions should be
doubled, and the money should go to a School Zone Safety Fund to support Safe Routes
to Schools and infrastructure upgrades to increase safety for children. Several states have
passed similar laws to send fines from school zone infractions to such a fund.

Thanks again for the opportunity to comment on this very important issue. – LAB

13 STATES

As of today(8:30 am, April 22, 2010) , a month away from the big ride on May 19, there are still 13 U.S. states that do not have a Ride Of Silence ride. How is that possible? How can we help to get a no cost ride of three people for 8 miles to take place on May 19 this year? How?

We, at the Ride Of Silence, know for a fact that the media checks out our web site to see which locations are hosting rides. Even though those three people that ride together in South Dakota don't think they are making a difference, IF they list there ride with us on the web site, they are being seen. The strength of this ride and it's fallout, is numbers: number of total riders and number of rides.

I was a guest at the Bike Summit in Michigan on March 27, 2010, hosted by the League of Michigan Bikers (LMB). Michigan has the largest number of sites of ANY state (24 currently, I believe). It made sense to fly up there. (I live in Dallas, TX, where even though we have good weather comparatively, it's the home of Lance Armstrong, and it's where the Ride Of Silence orginated, there are ONLY 9 sites over this vast state!). Besides, there were two board members I've never met face to face who live there.

(I'm hoping to travel next year to OTHER bike summits to preach the good word about The Ride Of Silence. I'd love to be able to make it to all 50 states and each country, too. Please, let us know if you're bike organization is interested and let us know!)

I was struck by how on fire these people are for two-wheeled recreation, transportation, and advocacy. Why doesn't that transfer, I wonder. Some places, you would think, would jump on the chance to be part of the only world wide event. And yet, they don't. Do they not get it? Do they not see what the rest of us see?

China is an example. This year the government for that country has decided to fully back the Ride Of Silence. There factories are in production printing up bumper stickers and arm bands, and are giving the R of S free advertizing. Gee, locally, I'd just be happy with the Mayor of Dallas getting behind it.

To some we, as cyclists, are a nuisance. To some, an after thought. And to those who will take part in riding together with me and the rest of the world, we get it. We understand how much of a difference bikes on the road can mean on many different levels. We understand that the more cyclists that participate on this day, the less we can be ignored, the louder our collective voice can be, and the more friendlier our roads will be in the future.

Please join us on May 19, 7 pm, for a free, short memorial ride. Won't you, please?

Below is a letter of encouragement in three languages from Board Member Mark Hagar. Please pass it on to those who'd like to ride with. Mark and other board members can help you get your ride going. Contact them if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Chris Phelan, Founder
The Ride Of Silence
http://www.rideofsilence.org/
Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 7 PM
One day. One time. World Wide.
Let the silence roar.

Hello past & present Ride of Silence organizers,We are now a month away from this year’s Ride. We’ve over 180 locations listed worldwide, with many new locations listed this year.Hopefully you will continue the tradition started by our Founder Chris Phelan, and will again hold a Ride of Silence in your community.The Ride of Silence offers cyclists an opportunity to honor and mourn fellow cyclists killed or injured when enjoying an activity they love on public roadways, while trying to raise awareness of cyclists legal rights to the road, to community officials, the media and the general public. Please get your location listed as soon as possible, for the greatest visibility in your area.Thanks and I look forward to riding with you all globally on May 19th, or May 22nd in the southern hemisphere.If you need my support, do not hesitate to contact me,Sincerely,Mark

Google Translated Below:

Google Traducido continuación:

Google traduit ci-dessous:

Mark Hagar

Ride of Silence, Board Member, Mentor, Club CommunicationsRide of Silence, MI Director, 2005-2010 Grand Rapids MI USA Organizermark.hagar@rideofsilence.orghttp://www.rideofsilence.org

"Silence Can Be Deafening

Join the Ride of Silence Cause on Facebook:

http://apps.facebook.com/causes/331887?m=18ec8a44

Bonjour Ride passé et présent des organisateurs de Silence,Nous sommes maintenant à un mois de Ride de cette année. Nous avons plus de 180 emplacements répertoriés dans le monde entier, avec de nombreux nouveaux sites répertoriés cette année.J'espère que vous continuerez la tradition instaurée par notre fondateur Chris Phelan, et tiendra à nouveau un tour de silence dans votre communauté.Le Ride of Silence offre cependant un honneur cyclistes chances et de deuil cyclistes collègues tués ou blessés lors bénéficiant d'une activité qu'ils aiment sur la voie publique, tout en essayant de sensibiliser les cyclistes droits légaux de la route, aux fonctionnaires communautaires, les médias et le grand public .S'il vous plaît obtenir votre adresse ci dès que possible, pour la plus grande visibilité dans votre région.Merci et je me réjouis à l'équitation avec vous tous le monde le 19 mai ou 22 mai dans l'hémisphère sud.

Cordialement,MarqueHola paseo pasado y presente de los organizadores de silencio,Ahora estamos a un mes de paseo de este año. Tenemos más de 180 localidades que se enlistan en todo el mundo, con muchos lugares nuevos que figuran este año.Esperamos que pueda continuar la tradición iniciada por nuestro fundador Chris Phelan, y de nuevo llevará a cabo una cabalgata de silencio en su comunidad.The Ride of Silence sin embargo ofrece a los ciclistas un honor oportunidad y llorar compañeros ciclistas muertos o heridos al disfrutar de una actividad que les gusta en la vía pública, al tratar de aumentar la conciencia de los ciclistas derechos legales a la carretera, a los funcionarios de la comunidad, los medios de comunicación y público en general .Por favor, obtener su localidad que aparece tan pronto como sea posible, para el mayor visibilidad en su área.Gracias y espero a montar con todos vosotros el mundo el 19 de mayo o 22 de mayo en el hemisferio sur.Atentamente,Marca

Ride, Captain, Ride!

16 WEEKS TO GO
Ride, Captain, Ride!

One of the dreams I had about the R of S was being able to visit and ride at the different sites each year.
One step closer this year will be attending the Michigan Bike Summit and meeting with two board members who reside in Michigan: Mark Hagar and Tim Potter. We’re asking The Ride of Silence board and individual Michigan riders to sponsor the trip. (The R of S makes no money.) Here’s the web site info on it: (http://www.lmb.org/index.php/events/mi-bike-summit.html)
I went to Charlotte, NC in 2008 where I met board members Mike Stieglitz and Michael Gibbons. Email and even phone conferences are nice, but it’s even better putting a face with the name, and discussing things in person, with immediate responses.
I was in Florida’s panhandle last Sept (2009) but never met up with organizer from Pensacola. (Can’t remember his name…)
Ideally, I’d like to keep this going in other parts of the country and world to help us all feel connected, which we are in this cause for safer roads and longevity while riding.
There is a pay pal account set up to assist this Michigan trip, March 26-28. If you can help, that would be great. The account is:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=K834MWTZ289Z2

We have some good news and great news to report.
The good news is the doctor who was found guilty of purposely slamming on his brakes in front of a cycling pack has been prosecuted. The great news is there’s now a federal ban on texting while driving commercial motor vehicles. This second piece will make it safer on the road for ALL road users; everyone will benefit.

Last, I want to remind all (anyone) thinking of hosting a Ride Of Silence (it’s quite easy) this coming May 19, get on the R of S web site (http://www.rideofsilence.org/) and register your ride. Even if you’re the only person expected to show up at this time. Once it’s registered, others will see it and come out. FIRST, put the ride out there. The sooner, the better. Times-a-wasting!!!

Chris Phelan, Founder
The Ride Of Silence
http://www.rideofsilence.org/
Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 7 PM
One day. One time. World Wide.
Let the silence roar.

GREETINGS RIDE OF SILENCE DIRECTORS.

You are special people, for you have taken on the leadership of organizing a memorial ride in your area, like no other. Before The Ride of Silence, there was no single event that united the world like this free event run by volunteers. Isn’t it amazing what passion can do? I praise you and thank you for that passion! “Thank you!”

I want to let you know about a couple of things to help you get the word out to your local cyclists and media, and then wish good weather for everyone.

One, is the NEW Craigslist posting you can put up using the following as a template. This is only an example due to the location mentioned:
http://lansing.craigslist.org/bik/1175340293.html

Second, there is NEW Public Service Announcement (PSA) for this year on the front page of the web site and at youtube.com. The new feature this year is it has a closed caption button (bottom right corner) that can access 30 languages. This will be very helpful to the rest of the world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLEcwJuCdf4

Please do NOT submit your post ride reports to the web master. A NEW self-serve web form will be up for you to enter your information there. After you’ve reported your numbers, this could be the most accurate total we’ve ever had. Every ride counts, as does every rider. Isolated rides of two’s or three’s are welcome and encouraged. Among other things, one day I hope The Ride Of Silence will take place in EVERY town. With your help, it will. Today is a fine place to start with that fantasy.

The ride is set for you to be autonomous, meaning you have a lot of control over your ride. We have very few rules so that we all send the same message (free, less than 12 MPH/20KPH, 8-12 miles, May 20, 7 pm, black arm bands to show solidarity, red arm bands to show you’ve been hit, and silence). After that, many sites use a variety of things to “get the word out,” such as: the use of a hearse, the use of a coffin, stopping at Ghost Bike memorials, bag pipes playing Amazing Grace, bugle playing Taps, the reading of those that have been killed, the reading of the R of S poem, and so on. Do what you want to do to make the ride personal to YOU and your area, within good taste and common sense.

A quick look shows were at 262 rides, in 16 countries, with more locations to be put up. I’ve said this many times, but, I am truly amazed at its growth. I never imagined it and nor did anyone else back in 2003. I will continue to say this because it should humble all of us where we started and where this ride is today.

You will be reaching people who have never heard of this message, or seen this ride before. You will be the first to impress them. I have personally gotten several emails from new people. But, also, statistically speaking, chances are you will be riding with some one who won’t be here next year. It will be their last time to hear this message because they will be killed by a motorist. Ride like you’ve never ridden before. This could be your last time.

Thank you, each and every one of you, sincerely, from the bottom of my heart. The greatness of this ride is made up by individuals, choosing to be together in peaceful and silent assembly on the same day, at the same time. Thank you.

Tail winds and sunny skies!
Stay active.

Chris Phelan, Founder
The Ride Of Silence
http://www.rideofsilence.org/
Wednesday, May 20, 2009, 7 PM
One day. One time. World Wide.
Let the silence roar.

Larry Schwartz, whose death inspired the first Ride Of Silence in 2003, and stands now representing all those who have also been killed by a motorist.

THE SOUND OF SILENCE

Hello darkness, my old friend

I’ve come to talk with you again

Because a vision softly creeping

Left it’s seeds while I was sleeping

And the vision that was planted in my brain

Still remains

Within the sound of silence.


In restless dreams I walked alone

Narrow streets of cobblestone,

’neath the halo of a street lamp,

I turned my collar to the cold and damp

When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light

That split the night

And touched the sound of silence.


And in the naked light I saw

Ten thousand people, maybe more.

People talking without speaking,

People hearing without listening,

People writing songs that voices never share

And no one dare

Disturb the sound of silence.


"Fools" said I, "you do not know

Silence like a cancer grows.

Hear my words that I might teach you,

Take my arms that I might reach you."

But my words like silent raindrops fell,

And echoed

In the wells of silence


And the people bowed and prayed

To the neon God they made.

And the sign flashed out it’s warning,

In the words that it was forming.

And the sign said, "The words of the prophets

Are written on the subway walls

And tenement halls."

And whisper’d in the sounds of silence.

This is an article ran in the Michigan State University newspaper.

http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/04/bicyclists_need_to_stay_on_sidewalk

Bicyclists need to stay on sidewalk by Zack Colman

Black 2001 Saturn SC2. That’s the car I drive — and if you’re a bicyclist on the road but not in a bike path and you see my car, I hope you’re wearing a helmet, because I might run you over.
Maybe not intentionally.
But you see, with all these things I can do in my car nowadays, such as choose a different song on my iPod, send a text message while driving or fall asleep at the wheel because I had to wake up for a worthless 8 a.m. biology lab, I might not notice you.
And, considering you are where you should not be, I might hit you.
The simple fact of the matter is, MSU has so kindly provided sidewalks for people on foot and Rollerblades, and MSU’s ordinance should be revised to require bicyclists be there too. The university has outlined bike paths on certain roads, but bicyclists can’t just create imaginary bike paths like they do.
I cannot drive my car on the sidewalk, so why must you ride your bicycle where I drive?
Many of my friends ride bicycles on campus, so I’m not trying to berate a whole demographic of students. I appreciate bicyclists who advocate environmentalism, since they are making up for the damage I do with my car.
I respect bicyclists who use bicycles as a form of exercise, since people certainly can never get enough fitness in their everyday routines.
But for as much as I respect and appreciate bicyclists, I will not hesitate to honk at them when they are interfering with the roads.
My concern is not merely about inconvenience.
Bicyclists on the road are a driving hazard to people in automobiles, since many bicyclists make turns without using hand signals and ride too close to other vehicles when there is no designated bike path.
For example, I was driving to work Tuesday when a bicyclist pulled up in front of my car in the right lane on Farm Lane going northbound where it intersects with Shaw Lane. There is no bike path at this portion of the road, and I needed to be in the right lane to avoid the left turn only lane, but the bicyclist was in the way.
Instead, I had to speed ahead and veer away from the fast-approaching rear end of the car in front of me, just barely making it into the right lane.
Some will say I could be more patient on the road.
But roads are for cars, not bicyclists. The bicyclist should not have been in the car lane.
It’s possible some bicyclists are trying to live out their dreams of being Lance Armstrong, and the smooth terrain offered by the roads where big, people-killing cars are designed to travel on are more desirable than the sidewalk pavement.
I get it, bicyclists — you’re in the Tour de France. Well, in your head at least.
But in reality, my gas-guzzling, carbon footprint-leaving car is trying to get around you, the bicyclist. And you, the bicyclist, prefer to coast, not along the side of the lane but in the exact middle.
Maybe in your head you are actually driving a car. Maybe that’s why you believe you should be behind a pickup truck and in front of 15 other cars trying to pass you.
And maybe you are Armstrong, so talented and in shape and able to pedal so, so fast. But Armstrong’s average speed in the 2001 Tour de France was 24.9 mph, which is 0.1 mph less than most of the speed limits on and around campus.
Plus, I’ve had difficulty finding students who actually obey the speed limit anyway.
It’s common for motorists to drive at least 5 mph above the speed limit, which makes your task to out-pedal Lance Armstrong all the more daunting. And considering you’re not actually Armstrong (even if you do wear a skintight yellow bicycle uniform), you likely are not going 24.9 mph.
And, oh yeah, Armstrong is competing when he is bicycling — your leisurely ride through campus might not even register on a police radar.
But, hey, snap out of it. You’re not Lance Armstrong.
And those are the headlights of my black 2001 Saturn SC2 bearing down on you.
Zack Colman is the State News opinion writer. Reach him at colmanz1@msu.edu.
Published on Wednesday, April 8, 2009

I am continually astounded at the ignorance that pervades my species. I am not sure if shake my head at embarrassment for this man, or the horror he commits.

"Someday, I visualize a world when motorists will know beyond a doubt that they will encounter two-wheeled people. When cyclists will ride in safety, at any time of day, and not worry for their lives, but rather in pursuit of their own well being, and their own dream, uncompromised, and untarnished. I have a dream!"
Chris Phelan, with acknowledgements to Martin Lurther King’s "I have a dream."

(Tim Potter, 1979 Bike Trip. Today he is the web master for The Ride Of Silence.)

February 20, 2009


EXCITING NEWS !!!

The Ride Of Silence has expanded beyond anyone’s expectations, riding on the same day at the same time, throughout the world, …FOR FREE! It’s really something amazing and thrilling for each organizer to be part of and proud of.

But, this giant memorial ride that is like no other event in the world takes resources to run, both locally (permits, signage, advertising) and globally (web site, legal costs). It has been with a LOT of consternation the board has decided to offer something that we think its time has come. A bike shirt.

I have been asked many, many times over the years about shirts and the use of the logo (trademarked), and have even seen a R of S shirt illegally produced. It got to the point where either we were going to be on the train or run over by it, and lose “our shirt.’ (Sorry.)

So, at this link: http://heatedink.com/rideofsilence.html, you will see a few items we have gone to great lengths to keep tasteful, yet unique; something you’d feel proud wearing. Let me emphasize, this is official merchandise. Nothing underground, or looted. After all, it’s to help spread the word about sharing the road and remembering our biking brothers and sisters.

Thank you.
Thank you, very much!

c