#driver awareness

From Michael Franti of Spearhead, accessed online via Facebook on 12/9/13:

My attorney Milt Olin Jr. was killed riding his bicycle, struck by a Sheriff's vehicle Sunday in Los Angeles. According to witnesses he was in the bike lane when the car drove into him. I started working with Milt about 4 years ago, he was different than any attorney I'd ever worked with. Every conversation we had would always begin with him asking me about my family, health and how things were going in the studio or on tour. He loved music and always wanted to hear new songs I was working on before they were finished. It usually took us about ten minutes to get into discussing whatever business we had and sometimes I'd joke with him that he just did it to overcharge me (which couldn't have been further from the truth) and he would always get a chuckle out of it because we both knew he sincerely cared. Some days I'd call him and we would start talking about politics,sports, travel or world events and by the time we finished checking in I'd ask him if he had looked into some pressing matter and he'd say,"oh, I've already taken care of it" and that was the end of the conversation. In negotiations Milt was most concerned about nurturing relationships. He believed that making sure contracts were negotiated fairly for all parties would lead to longevity and fruits that lasted for decades were always more beneficial than beating someone up for short term gain. I never worried that he would represent me in any way but with the highest integrity. He always did. There are few people in music, especially on the legal side of the biz who loved music as much as Milt did, he wasn't a name dropper although he worked with the best, he was just always enthusiastic and you felt his passion. He was funny, he loved to laugh and he gave his all for the artists he worked for. I am devastated and in tears over his death which came far too quickly and ironically occurred as he was taking care of his health cycling. Thank you for all you did to get my music out to the world Milt. I love you and miss you. Michael Franti and Spearhead

I nearly got hit by a car earlier while riding my bike. It was so stupid I couldn't quite believe it. Two lanes of traffic leading to a junction, one for left and one for right. I was about to move to the right lane as I was going right when a car overtook me and swerved just in front of me into the left lane. The elderly driver then braked as approaching the junction.

My initial thoughts were, how stupid - she's basically pushed in and nearly hit me, for absolutely no advantage. What an idiot.

I then checked behind and moved into the right hand lane. A few seconds later, the driver, from the left hand left turning lane swerved across the road just in front of me in the right hand lane to gain access to disabled parking. A second or two later and she would have ploughed through me. I believe I shouted something along the lines of "fucking hell, look what your doing!" or similar as I slammed my brakes on to avoid hitting the side of her car. If I I'd had time I would have stopped, but I had a train to catch.

It seems incredible that Police spend so much time demonising motorists for speeding (which is naughty), and are now going to be giving fixed penalties for other relatively minor (though selfish and bad practice) incidents such as middle lane driving and labeling it "Careless", when actual serious episodes involving cyclists go unpunished every day. You only need to look at some videos on YouTube to see - how many of those, when there is video evidence go on to be prosecuted for careless or dangerous driving?