Everyone should speak out against new legislation in Washington that eliminates funding to protect bicyclists.

The League of American Bicyclists, a great organization in Washington, D.C., that advocates for bicyclists and walkers, is warning this week about a piece of legislation introduced in the House of Representatives that eliminates dedicated funding for bicyclists and walkers and, going even further, removes bicycling from the federal transportation program.

If approved, this legislation will GUT laws and programs protecting cyclists and reverse decades of progress. This is VERY BAD for bicylists!

The legislation, introduced by Congressman John Mica, R-Fla., is called the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, and you can read more about it here on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee website.

The League, on its blog, said the bill reverses 20 years of progress by:

• Destroying Transportation Enhancements by making it optional.
• Repealing the Safe Routes to School program, reversing years of progress in creating safe ways for kids to walk and ride bicycles to school.
• Allowing states to build bridges without safe access for pedestrians and bicycles.
• Eliminating bicycle and pedestrian coordinators in state DOTs.
• Eliminating language that ensures that rumble strips “do not adversely affect the safety or mobility of bicyclists, pedestrians or the disabled.”

The League adds the following comment: “It basically eliminates our status and standing in the planning and design of our transportation system — a massive step backwards for individuals, communities and our nation. It’s a step back to a 1950s highway- and auto-only program that makes no sense in the 21st century.”

Now is the time to get involved! On Thursday, two other House members will introduce amendments to restore dedicated funding for Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School.

All Americans have a stake in this legislation. We all want safe paths, bike lanes, crosswalks, sidewalks and bikeways. Contact your local House member and urge that legislator to support the amendments!

Please act now!

Here are the top 10 reasons to oppose the legislation.

You can go here to find your local representative and send them an urgent message. I urge everyone in Elmira, Corning and the Twin Tiers to speak up today!

Thanks for reading!

Thanks, Jim.

_________________________________

James B. Reed

NY & PA Bicycle Accident Attorney

Ziff Law Firm, LLP

Mailto: jreed@zifflaw.com

Office: (607)733-8866

Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943-3529)

Web: www.zifflaw.com

Michael Secrest was nearly killed after setting another world indoor cycling record.

Even a world record-setting cyclist isn’t immune from careless drivers … even when his bike is lit up by not one, not two, but three FLASHING lights!

This really brings home the fact that cyclists, even those who are VERY experienced and VERY well-equipped with safety equipment, are vulnerable to careless drivers. That’s why I spend so much time trying to teach motorists to be alert for cyclists and to give cyclists plenty of space when passing.

A little bit of caution and courtesy goes a long way.

MICHAEL SECREST BREAKS 100-MILE
TRACK RECORD – FINALLY!

As the saying goes, “If you fall off the horse, get back on it.” Or perhaps, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

In legendary ultra cyclist Michael Secrest’s case, he had to get back on his 1996 GT track bike on nine different occasions, over the span of several years, before he finally broke the 100-mile indoor track cycling record. He did this at age 58! Bravo, Michael! Here’s a write-up about this incredible, multiple world record-breaking achievement from RoadBikeRider.com:

On his ninth attempt, 58-year-old Michael Secrest set a new indoor 100-mile world record on Oct. 15, 2011. Secrest covered the 100 miles (161 km) on the Home Depot Center Velodrome track in 3 hours, 46 minutes, 16 seconds – at 26.52 mph (42.68 kph).

After a clean drug test following the ride, Secrest’s record was officially certified by the Ultra Marathon Cycling Association (UMCA). His mark bested the previous record of 3:47:26 set in 1994 by Rod Evans.

As if Secrest’s time weren’t remarkable enough, he wrote us to share a couple of other amazing facts about this astounding record:

• It was set on a standard bike. But not just any bike. “I used the same frame that I used to set the outdoor 24-hour world record in LA, back in 1996,” he said. “Imagine that. In this day of high-tech advancements on even a greater turnover than annually, I set a WR on a 15-year-old frame! I guess this can make the case that it’s not the bike, it’s the engine!” He is the oldest athlete ever to set an overall (all ages) world record.
• He is the only athlete in history to set world records in four consecutive decades. “The fact of which I am most proud is that all were achieved without the use of performance-enhancing drugs. ([I was] drug tested after every WR). I hope that maybe some of your readers may find inspiration through this fact or because of my age as not being a barrier to either continue or start riding a bike!”

Well, fellow roadies, if you can’t find inspiration in a 58-year-old, drug-free cyclist setting an overall world record on a 15-year-old frame – you might not have a pulse!

Two more notes about Michael: He’s also the author of “The Guy on the Bike,” an autobiographical eBook that reveals details of his unmatched cycling successes and turns them into inspirational life lessons for cyclists and non-cyclists alike. He’s certainly got a new chapter to add to his book.

Finally, while he’s the rarest of cyclists in terms of his ability, he’s all too normal in terms of his facing danger every time he rides on the road. He concluded his message with a cautionary tale for all roadies:

“I forgot to mention that just four days after setting the 100-mile indoor WR, I was hit by a car making a left turn into me while I was riding through an intersection. It was early evening and I had two rear flashers and my front strobe fully functioning. The accident left me with a fractured collarbone and two fractured posterior ribs. I’m very lucky, as it could easily have been fatal. I expect a full recovery.”

To learn more about Michael, go here.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks, Jim.

_________________________________

James B. Reed

NY & PA Bicycle Accident Attorney

Ziff Law Firm, LLP

Mailto: jreed@zifflaw.com

Office: (607)733-8866

Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943-3529)

Web: www.zifflaw.com

Bicycle commuting can be a HUGE money-saver!

So you’re sick of spending all your money on gas, car maintenance and parking?  And you wish you had a chance to burn a few more calories?  Perfect solution:  commute by bike to work!

Kiplinger has a calculator to show how much you could save each day by riding your bike to work.

As a test, I said my daily commute is 20 miles round trip. I said I don’t have any parking or toll expenses. They said I can save $8 a day– that’s a whopping $2,000 a year!   And the commuting calculator even tells you how they  calculated the amount they show.

Try it — you might be surprised what you find.

But before you decide to put a new bicycle for commuting to work on your Christmas wish list, remember this:

• Fall is here and winter is coming (sadly). Unpredictable weather. Wet leaves followed by snowy roads in Elmira, Corning and the Twin Tiers are a huge hazards for bicyclists. And we are seeing less daylight, so our safe riding hours are shrinking. Yes, you can get a light for your bike, but you will still be mostly invisible to drivers and you won’t be able to see the road hazards like potholes with just a bike light.
• Do you wear your work clothes, maybe a suit, on a bike commute, or carry your work clothes and change in the bathroom? It’s not a deal breaker, but consider that a complication each day. And if you arrive to work sweaty, can you take a shower?
• Do you have somewhere safe to store the bicycle at work? (And don’t say your office!)
• Know your commute path well. Are bicycles allowed on all the streets and roads? Will you feel safe riding with traffic if there are no shoulders or the shoulders are filled with glass and other debris? Know your road conditions very well. Again, DO YOUR HOMEWORK.
• Your best bet is to become a part-time bike commuter. Once you do your homework (yes, I said it again), pick a few sunny and warm days and try it. Don’t put your car up on blocks just yet! Realize that in the Twin Tiers, bicycle commuting will likely always be part time, thanks in part to our two seasons — road construction and winter!

As Kiplinger points out in another story, there are many benefits to bicycling to work. Among them: it’s a good workout, you’ll save money, it’s better for the economy and it cuts down on the parking hassle.

If you like the bike commute, Kiplinger suggests you buy:

• Lights for early-morning or nighttime riding. Get a white LED front light to attach to your handlebars so you’ll stay visible when approaching intersections, and buy a red, blinking light to attach to your seat post or clip onto your back so approaching drivers will see you from behind.
• A rack or panniers, either of which can attach to the back of your bike, to carry files, a change of clothes or other personal items. A small messenger bag or backpack might suffice but can strain your back. Most mountain bikes or hybrids easily accommodate a rack or panniers.
• Shoes with clips, which will give you more control and power during a rush-hour ride.
• A fender to keep water from splashing onto you from your rear tire.
• A cycling computer to track your speed and trip length.

Just remember: Do the math. Pick a go0d day and ride to work (once you do your homework and planning).

If you like it, and want to work bike commuting into your schedule, then by all means let Santa know what you want. Just be sure Santa knows you want to be SAFE!

If you are a bike commuter, please share your tips or favorite stories in our comments section!

Thanks for reading!

Thanks, Jim.

_________________________________

James B. Reed

NY & PA Bicycle Accident Attorney

Ziff Law Firm, LLP

Mailto: jreed@zifflaw.com

Office: (607)733-8866

Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943-3529)

Web: www.zifflaw.com

Make a difference in a child's life this holiday season by donating a bicycle.

Let’s face it. Regardless of how old we are, we’d all like to find a new bicycle under the Christmas tree. Or at least next to it.

We all remember the Christmas when we received our first bike. Now many of us have had the chance to watch our children or grandchildren enjoy the same thrill.

Not much has changed for children when it comes to new bikes.

Eventually, though, new bikes become old bikes, and old bikes end up in the back of the garage, gathering dust, or on the curb with a “FREE” sign.

Remember other families in need this holiday season when you plan to dispose of your old bike.

The Southern Tier Bicycle League, a group of riders who promote riding year-round, is looking for bikes that your children have outgrown or stopped using. The donated bikes will be refurbished and given to children who will really love them!

Click here to read more about the League’s Bike Renewal Program.

Or to learn more, call or write Bill Fischer at 607-731-2737 or bfischerny@gmail.com, or Jack Chaney at 607-483-4418 or jackchaney@alum.mit.edu.

For riders from Elmira and Corning, Waverly and Sayre, and Wellsboro and Mansfield, now is the time to become a member of the Southern Tier Bicycle League.

You can become a member for $10 in annual dues, or qualify by volunteering four hours of your time at STBL events.

Your membership will introduce you to bicycling events in the area and benefit various charities.

And it will help make old bikes new again and put them in the hands of people of all ages who will love them.

In the spirit of the holiday season, isn’t that enough reason to join right now?

Thanks for reading!

Thanks, Jim.

_________________________________

James B. Reed

NY & PA Bicycle Accident Attorney

Ziff Law Firm, LLP

Mailto: jreed@zifflaw.com

Office: (607)733-8866

Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943-3529)

Web: www.zifflaw.com

The Friends Bike Clinic is Sunday in Ithaca.

What better way to spend a beautiful fall afternoon than with other bicyclists!

Here is an event that will be informative AND fun for the whole family. It’s worth the drive to Tompkins County!

The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) will hold a Free Bicycle Clinic from 1 t0 3 p.m. Sunday at the Quaker Meetinghouse at Third and Madison Avenues in Ithaca.

The clinic is open to everyone and is totally free.

There will be a 15-minute presentation on basic bike repair at 1 p.m., then members and visitors will fix their bicycles!  Larry Clarkberg is the moving force behind the Clinic and he’s a guy who is devoted to the cause of getting more people out on bikes for both recreational and commuting purposes.

Bikes of all sizes will be welcome Sunday!

If you’re planning to go, check out the Friends’ website and RSVP so they know how many people are coming. They want to be sure they have enough tools on hand for everyone!

The weather looks good on Sunday. Why waste the day raking leaves or watching football when it’s a great time for bicycling!

They plan to hold these bike clinics on the fourth Sunday of each month, so keep an eye on the website for future clinics if you can’t make this one!

Also while you’re there, check out their new bicycling forum.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks, Jim

_________________________________

James B. Reed

NY & PA Bicycle Accident Attorney

Ziff Law Firm, LLP

Mailto: jreed@zifflaw.com

Office: (607)733-8866

Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943-3529)

Web: www.zifflaw.com

Police are investigating why a driver left the scene of an accident with a bicyclist.

A VERY SAD UPDATE: The bicyclist struck early Sunday morning in a hit-and-run accident in Schuyler County has died, the county sheriff’s department said Friday.

Michael P. Zelzell, 35, of Beaver Dams, was riding his bike north on state Route 414 north of Watkins Glen at about 6:30 Sunday morning when police said a vehicle turning off the highway collided with him.

The driver, Melissa E. Smith, 36, of Watkins Glen, fled the scene but was later arrested and charged with Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Accident and Driving Without a License.

Police said Friday that the investigation continues and more charges are pending, according to the Star-Gazette.

Delzell died at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. He was first hospitalized at Schuyler Hospital with head injuries, then transferred to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre before being transferred to Strong Memorial, police said.

It will be interesting to see how the police investigation plays out. Sometimes there are contrived [that's a nice word for "BS"] explanations for why a driver leaves the scene of a collision, but many times I have seen cases where the hit-and-run driver had been drinking and bolts from the scene of the accident to avoid a potential drunk driving charge.

I sure don’t know whether that’s what occurred here, but I suspect that police are actively investigating the driver’s explanation for leaving the scene, and her whereabouts in the hours before and after the bike collision.

Regardless of why the driver left the scene, the cyclist’s family may have the basis for a wrongful death claim if the collision occurred because of the negligent driving by the motorist.

Once again, a thorough investigation by an experienced bicycle accident lawyer would be necessary to determine if there is a solid basis to bring a claim against the driver.

Our thoughts and prayers go out today to Mr. Delzell’s family.

Thanks, Jim

_________________________________

James B. Reed

NY & PA Bicycle Accident Attorney

Ziff Law Firm, LLP

Mailto: jreed@zifflaw.com

Office: (607)733-8866

Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943-3529)

Web: www.zifflaw.com

A Parkinson's disease researcher made a remarkable discovery after a ride on a tandem bicycle with a patient.

One of my Oregon bicycling buddies forwarded me a link to this interesting article in The New York Times about preliminary research that suggests that tandem bicycle riding could be one of the exercises that minimizes the devastating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Dr. Jay L. Alberts, a Parkinson’s disease researcher at Emory University in Atlanta, participated in a bike tour across Iowa with a patient to raise awareness about the disease, according to the Times.

After the first day of riding, though, something unexpected happened. One of the patient’s symptoms, handwriting that could become unreadable, improved dramatically.

After that, Dr. Alberts started a series of experiments with patients on tandem bicycles. The early results focus on whether exercise can help combat the disease and also — more importantly — whether intense, forced workouts affect brains differently than slower, easier workouts.

Studies have shown that forced exercise is typically more beneficial for the brains of animals. Continuing research is analyzing how forced exercise, rather than voluntary exercise, may have a beneficial impact on the physical and mental health of people.

After eight weeks of hourlong sessions of forced riding, most of the patients in Dr. Alberts’ study showed significant lessening of tremors and better body control, improvements that continued for up to four weeks after they stopped riding, according to the Times.

The tool of choice for these experiments is a tandem bicycle, which is also my tool of choice for a great deal of my own cycling.  My patient (and strong!) wife can readily attest to the fact that our tandem riding often turns into forced exercise when one of us prefers to ride easier or shorter while the other prefers to go longer or harder — now I can tell her that this forced exercise is GOOD for us!  :-)

Thanks for reading!

Thanks, Jim

_________________________________

James B. Reed

NY & PA Bicycle Accident Attorney

Ziff Law Firm, LLP

Mailto: jreed@zifflaw.com

Office: (607)733-8866

Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943-3529)

Web: www.zifflaw.com

Leaves raked to the side of roads pose a safety hazard to bicyclists.

Fall is always a challenging time of the year for bicyclists in Elmira, Corning and the Twin Tiers. It is rainy and windy, and we have to dress in layers because one moment it will be in the 50s and damp, and the next, the sun comes out and it warms right up.

Road conditions are an even larger concern. Leaves can mask other dangers on the road — debris that can shred tires, or nasty potholes that can send us crashing to the pavement. Wet leaves are a year-round hazard. Helmets, essential any time of year, are even more critical for all ages in the fall.

Now this week, bicyclists learned they will need to dodge more than the usual falling wet leaves and occasional leaf piles. According to a news report here, New York State has told landfill operators to no longer accept bagged yard waste. That means many more Elmira and other Chemung County residents will have to rake their leaves out to the street or road.

Now I know the public works people ask residents to rake their leaves to the curb,  not in the road. But since most residents don’t want the leaves blowing right back into their yards, they usually plop them in the gutter, off their property.

That’s where it causes major headaches and potential hazards for bicyclists. Beyond adding more wet leaves (and probably grass and other yard waste) to our streets and roads, it gives us another hazard to steer around! And the change in policy guarantees there will be many more piles forcing cyclists further out into the travel lanes.

Many times, the leaf piles are bigger than parked cars, so we are forced to veer into traffic more — something most motorists aren’t patient with. Often, they can’t see the leaf pile that we see! Besides, they will drive through a leaf pile rather than veer around it. That’s not an option for us.

So, my fellow bicyclists, do you have any suggestions to share that will make riding this season safer? Some bike groups have advocated for abolishing leaf pickup programs? What do you think?

Thanks for reading, and remember to ride safe this season!

Thanks, Jim

_________________________________

James B. Reed

NY & PA Bicycle Accident Attorney

Ziff Law Firm, LLP

Mailto: jreed@zifflaw.com

Office: (607)733-8866

Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943-3529)

Web: www.zifflaw.com

Smart gas station owners in the U.S. should consider offering Bicycle Care Stations. (Courtesy of copenhagenize.com)

I love this idea! Some gas stations in Copenhagen actually cater to cyclists by offering them a place to fix their bikes and pump up their tires.

Norway’s Statoil, a major oil company in Scandinavia with gas stations in Denmark, has earned the respect of bicyclists worldwide for welcoming bicyclists. Statoil, according to copenhagenize.com, has installed Bicycle Care Stations. In the photo at right is a station in Copenhagen, the City of Cyclists!

Statoil has created a special place for bicyclists to fix, tune-up or pump their bicycles. The sign reads:

“Dear Cyclist,
You can care for your bicycle here. You can pump and wash your bicycle and, inside the shop, you’re welcome to borrow a free bicycle care kit with oil, tire levers, allen keys, etc. 
Enjoy.
Statoil”

In the center of the bike diagram is a rack that folds down so you can hang your bicycle up for repairs, cleaning or whatever. There is an air hose on the right and paper towels and plastic gloves on the left.

As the writer says on the website: “A modest investment, and in a flash, this station is bicycle friendly.”

Another blogger, at treehugger.com, cheers the move by Statoil and makes a great point: “It’s not as important as primary infrastructure like safe bike lanes and bike storage, but support infrastructure like this helps, if only to increase the visibility of biking as a legitimate way to get around.”

What a great, cheap idea that U.S. gas stations could easily embrace to differentiate themselves from every other gas station.

And it would make great business sense, because even though a bicyclist might not be buying gas while out riding their bike, they need a different kind of “fuel” and that is the food and drinks cyclists consume in huge quantities!

Not to mention, most cyclists also drive, and given the fact that cyclists tend to be loyal customers to those rare businesses that actually support their cycling, I suspect cyclists would flock to bike-friendly gas stations to fuel their thirsty cars.

Sure seems like a Win/Win for both the gas station and the cycling community! I hope we’ll soon see some in Elmira, Corning and across the Twin Tiers!

Thanks for reading and remember to ride safely!

Thanks, Jim

_________________________________

James B. Reed

NY & PA Bicycle Accident Attorney

Ziff Law Firm, LLP

Mailto: jreed@zifflaw.com

Office: (607)733-8866

Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943-3529)

Web: www.zifflaw.com

The tragic death of a bicyclist in Seattle reminds us of the dangers all riders face in America.

The Tucson Bike Lawyer posted this great article from The Economist on the tragic death of a 44-year-old bicyclist — and father of two –  in Seattle.

This is important reading for all drivers in Elmira, Corning and the Twin Tiers!

With a very few exceptions, America is no place for cyclists…..

DYING while cycling is three to five times more likely in America than in Denmark, Germany or the Netherlands.

To understand why, consider the death of Michael Wang. He was pedalling home from work in Seattle on a sunny weekday afternoon in late July when, witnesses say, a brown SUV made a left turn, crunched into Wang and sped away.

The road where the 44-year-old father of two was hit is the busiest cycling corridor in Seattle, and it has clearly marked bicycle lanes.

But the lanes are protected from motor vehicles by a line of white paint — a largely metaphorical barrier that many drivers ignore and police do not vigorously enforce. A few feet from the cycling lane traffic moves at speeds of between 30 miles per hour, the speed limit for arterials in Seattle, and 40 miles per hour, the speed at which many cars actually travel. This kind of speed kills.

A pedestrian hit by a car moving at 30 mph has a 45 percent chance of dying; at 40 mph, the chance of death is 85 percent, according to Britain’s Department of Transport.

Had Mr Wang been commuting on a busy bike route in Amsterdam, Copenhagen or Berlin, his unprotected exposure to instruments of death — namely, any vehicle moving at 20 mph or more — would be nearly nil. These cities have knitted together networks for everyday travel by bike. To start with, motor vehicles allowed near cyclists are subject to “traffic calming.” They must slow down to about 19 mph, a speed that, in case of collision, kills fewer than 5 percent. Police strictly enforce these speed limits with hefty fines. Repeat offenders lose their licences.

Calmer traffic is just the beginning. In much of northern Europe, cyclists commute on lanes that are protected from cars by concrete buffers, rows of trees or parked cars.

At busy crossroads, bicycle-activated traffic lights let cyclists cross first. Traffic laws discriminate in favor of people on bikes. A few American cities have taken European-style steps to make streets safer for cycling, most notably Portland, Ore., which has used most of the above ideas. The result: more bikes and fewer deaths.

Nearly 6 percent of commuters bike to work in Portland, the highest proportion in America. But in five out of the past 10 years, there have been no cycling deaths there.

In the nearby Seattle area, where cycling is popular but traffic calming is not, three cyclists have been killed in the past few weeks.

The most interesting take-away for me was the risk of death based upon vehicle speed:

Under 20 mph = 5% chance of death.

30 mph = 45% chance of death.

40 mph = 85% chance of death.

Speed truly kills! And that’s another GREAT reason why motorists should slow down whenever they see a cyclist!

Thanks for reading and remember to ride safely!

Thanks, Jim

_________________________________

James B. Reed

NY & PA Bicycle Accident Attorney

Ziff Law Firm, LLP

Mailto: jreed@zifflaw.com

Office: (607)733-8866

Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943-3529)

Web: www.zifflaw.com