BMX Street Bicycles for Transportation

Meet James, Jamie, and Zamar (Red).  I met these three young gents while I was out shooting some street photography.  I told them about Bicycles in Motion and what I write about here on the blog.  I told them my hope was to bring attention to city officials in order to help create better road infrastructure for the bicycling community of Nashua.

They thought it was great idea and agreed to pose for me for a few pictures. We talked about their style of bicycling and how they don't have many places to ride.  They admitted to me that they would sometimes try to ride at the Skatepark on Bridge Street, when it was safe to do so, but now it's no longer allowed, which leaves them with no place to ride. They told me no matter where they ride they often get stopped. They said it's a no-win situation.  They would love if Nashua had more bike lanes to ride.

All three mentioned they often use their bikes to get around town as their primary transportation.  They sometimes have to resort to riding on the sidewalks for safety reasons, and again, it's a no-win situation because they get told to get off the sidewalk. I asked them if they would ever switch up their bicycles, and all three said no.  Zamar said, "These bikes are just as safe, and very well made and great for riding on the streets."

These young men were extremely appreciative and kind.  When I said my goodbyes, they thanked me for what I was doing.

That meant a lot to me.  Keep riding and it was great talking to all three of you.  I hope you like the photos :).

Alex Motsenigos - Wellesley, MA

I want to thank those who still stop by my blog and haven't given up on me yet. I know I've been away for a long time. Truth be told I have not done much riding this winter and my focus has been on other endeavors involving the arts, which has kept me sane this winter.

I also had a rough patch this winter with members of my family contracting the flu. All is well and we got through it.

I'm now looking forward to spring weather and getting back on my bike. My focus this year will be on taking short day trips and I still plan to commute when able. And, as always support the bicycling community and offer any support I can to help make a difference.

With that said, I would like to share a few words about a case that was recently shared with me and to provide justice for Alex Motsenigos who was struck and fatally injured by a truck driver. I read the complete police report online. The report was several pages long and extensive. I'm disappointed in the city of Wellesley, MA, and the grand jury. An enormous amount of evidence was presented and still justice for Alex Motsenigos was not served.

But instead of my usual rant, I want to focus on the heroes, and witnesses of this case who presented the truth.

• Thank you to the Wellesley Police department for providing a complete thorough investigation. The amount of evidence you collected proved without a doubt in my mind that this was pure negligence on the part of the truck driver.  

• Thank you to the female witness who tried to help the victim and gave the police a thorough account of everything she witnessed. She spoke from the heart and knew that this incident was not the bicyclist's fault. I don't know whether you will ever read this post, but know that in my eyes you are a hero. 

My heart goes out to Alex Motsenigos and to his family, to his work colleagues, and to his friends.

My final message is that we can all do more to protect bicyclists. So speak up and make a difference. Don't stay silent.

This is For Christopher Weigl

I don't go searching for bicycling tragedies to write about. The ones I do write about come to me in a way that compels me to write about the bicyclists, so that we never forget. When a tragedy happens locally, it's difficult for me not to point it out, and write about it. Maybe subconsciously, I believe that each time I write about a fallen cyclist, that it will be the last time. Because maybe, the world will finally come to its senses, and realize these awful tragedies do not have to happen. Maybe I believe that the community as a whole, that our local government, and that all our bicycling advocates will scream so loud, and finally make it stop.  Maybe I believe that I will finally see real action take place in order to create a safer bicycling community for all.

After Luc contacted me about this tragedy, I emailed the Boston Department of Transportation and I contacted Kris Carter, Advisor to the Mayor, and Interim Director of Boston Bikes. Kris responded immediately, and sent me a very heartfelt, sincere, email message.  I also read Thomas M. Menino's, very touching post on-line.  I know he and Kris strongly believe in the six E's of bicycle planning: Education, Enforcement, Engineering, Encouragement, Evaluation, and Equity.

It's all well and good. But is it enough to take care of the problem right now? What is needed right now, is a strong campaign, a strong marketing plan to be brought to the general public's attention that bicycling is a true mode of transportation. These are human lives who ride bicycles to get to their place of work and their school destinations. We need giant billboards warning motor vehicle drivers of the consequences: the emotional consequence of killing a human being due to carelessness and cavalier attitudes towards cyclists. And, the legal consequence, holding motorists accountable, to back it up.  This is what they do in the Netherlands and Denmark. And it works, plain and simple.

Christopher was the second BU student killed in a bicycling accident this year in Boston.  A total of five bicycling deaths to date in Boston this year, which is incomprehensible to me.  Christopher was a talented student and studying photojournalism.  Here is a link to Christopher Weigl's work.  This is Chris Weigl.

 
Student profile - Christopher Weigl from Sarah Ganzhorn on Vimeo.