Are You A Cyclist?

A few fellow cycling advocacy friends and I set-up a booth today at the National Security Agency's 5th Annual Armed Forces and National Police Celebration at the National Cryptologic Museum.

We spoke to ~200 people that ride bikes, want to ride bikes and used to ride bikes. We had a good time sharing the word - The Way of the Bike :)

One thing that we noticed was people were reluctant to identify themselves as a cyclist. As in 'Well, I'm not a cyclist because I only ride a few times a year' or 'I'm not a cyclist because I don't ride far.'

So if you ride a bike, you are a cyclist. Cyclists are people on bikes. Embrace it.

Come to the Dark Side - We Have Wheels! 

Ride of Silence

About 30 cyclists including 6 Annapolis Police and 2 Anne Arundel County Police participated in the 2017 Ride of Silence in Annapolis, MD.

The Ride of Silence is held annually to honor those bicyclists killed on public roadways every year. Last year, at least 16 people on bicycles were killed on Maryland roadways. This year four (4) people have been killed on Maryland roadways as of March 2017.

While the weather was beautiful, attendance was lighter than expected due to a fatal car crash that severely impacted traffic in the region. Bicycles were the only mode of transportation that was able to move in the gridlock.

We heard touching words and call to action from Arlene Rosenbusch, sister of Lynn who was killed while riding tandem with partner John. Several riders in attendance have been crash victims and many others personally knew victims.

The Annapolis Police helped out with a modified route that kept us out of the worst of the traffic and still provided maximum visibility for the ride.

Special thanks to the Annapolis and Anne Arundel officers on bikes who guided us through a modified route through downtown.

Parole Denied For Heather Cook

Heather Cook, the woman who killed Tom Palermo while drunk driving was denied parole.  There's no celebrating in the cycling community. There's no joy. There's just a sad relief that she's going to remain in Prison for a little while long.

You see - she was sentenced to 20 years in prison for her actions, with all but 7 years suspended. In Maryland, you're eligible for parole after serving 1/3 of third of your sentence.

Heather Cook, the woman who killed Tom Palermo while drunk driving will not face another parole hearing.

Heather Cook, the woman who killed Tom Palermo while drunk driving, will likely be released sometime in 2019 if she continues to earn credit for good behavior.


WBAL: Parole denied for Heather Cook

18 Fucking Months

Eligible for parole after 18 months in prison: The builder, the bishop, and a most violent crime

You know, Bike Maryland calls this a beautiful article. That's tall order in my book - a beautiful article....but to be honest, it is a beautiful article and that is still an understatement.

It's a testament to a life lived, a life lost, a future changed forever - a life that touched people across the world. It makes you sad, mad, every emotion you can think of...

This person murdered Tom Palermo and was sentenced to 20 years in prison with all but 7 suspended....and is now is going to the parole board after only serving ~18 months.

She murdered someone's son - 18 Months?

She murdered someone's father - 18 Months?

She murdered someone's husbands - 18 Months?

She murdered someone's friends - 18 Months?

18 Months?  18 Months for a life? 18 Months for driving drunk? 18 Months for murdering someone because you were so fucking drunk you couldn't see straight? 18 months for destroying a family? 18 Fucking Months?!?!?!

Everyone single rider I know personally knows at least one person that has been hit while riding....everyone single one. I know several.

Over 35,000 people were killed on American roads last year - drunk/drugged drivers were involved in ~30% of the fatal crashes last year...18 Fucking Months