ndromb The place to get the skinny on the bicycles in the Pittsburgh en-US Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:51:27 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/search.php http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/12#post-43474 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:40:13 +0000 RubberFactory 43474@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>I had lunch with an older classmate who's daughter knew the driver of the truck. She said that she felt bad for both people, and when I asked why she felt bad for the driver, she said something about being so close to graduation (or something, I can't quite remember).</p> <p>I told her that I have no sympathy for the driver because he was doing two things that are really irresponsible: driving in flip-flops and not looking at the road. And in doing that, he took a life. I think wording it like that, instead of saying that he "hit someone" really struck a chord with her, and she sort of had that epiphany moment, where she realized, "This is serious." </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/12#post-43466 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:36:51 +0000 Aleen Mary 43466@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>I'm ready to help out anyway I can write letters,make calls, make personal appearances in Harisburg to help make the roads safer for all of you. Don died doing what he loved and I know he would support me in trying to promote safer laws for the Cyclist. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/12#post-43405 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:31:55 +0000 cburch 43405@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>aleen, thats kind of the point that stu is trying to make. don was doing EVERYTHING right and this still happened. that's what made this hit home so much within our community, this really could have been any of us. generally when there are incidents like this there are things the cyclist <em>could</em> have done to make the "accident" less likely. to see it happen even when the cyclist is doing everything right really struck a nerve with all of us and made a lot of us stand up and say "no more, this is it." </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/12#post-43384 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:44:06 +0000 Aleen Mary 43384@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>What Don was wearing had nothing to do with why he was hit. Granted he was doing all the right things to be riding safely,bright colors, helmet, ligts on his bike. He could have been lit up like a Christmas tree and still would have been hit the kid driving the truck was busy with his head down below the dash board fixing his flip flop.<br /> Following is the article from the paper. </p> <p>A teen driver was distracted when his flip-flops got tangled with his truck's pedals, causing him to strike and kill a bicyclist in Indiana Township, Pa., homicide investigators said Friday.<br /> No charges have been filed against the 17-year-old boy who had been driving the pickup truck. The Allegheny County District Attorney's office will review the investigative reports to determine whether charges should be filed.<br /> Deputy District Attorney Chris Conners said Friday the matter is under review.<br /> Donald Parker, 52, of Hampton, Pa., died May 27 after his bicycle was struck from behind by the boy's pickup truck as the two traveled up a steep grade.<br /> The boy told police he had been on his way to school when his flip-flops got tangled in the floor pedals.<br /> The driver, while the truck still was moving, reached down to untangle his feet when the vehicle struck Parker, who had been riding near the berm ahead of the truck.<br /> "The flip-flops caused a momentary distraction that took (the driver) to the berm, and he struck the bicyclist," said county police Lt. William Palmer.<br /> The boy's name has not been released. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/12#post-43375 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:28:15 +0000 StuInMcCandless 43375@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>Something in Beth's post irritated someone in the family, and she apologized. I, too, am sorry if in my reiteration of her post, I irritated someone as well.</p> <p>One thing I am not apologizing for: What Beth said here ...<br /> <em>It's a ghost bike, that's supposed to raise awareness. If people slow down for it, GOOD. Perhaps it will make people pay more attention when they are driving. Which is what you're supposed to be DOING ANYWAY!</em><br /> ...is exactly what needed to be said.</p> <p>When this story broke on May 27, my cycling dropped precipitously. I began having night sweats. I became fearful of dying every time I heard a car come up behind me. Don was on a level road (at that spot) with perfect sight lines and a blue sky, wearing bright clothing, probably moving along at a good clip. Despite all that, someone didn't see him, and killed him.</p> <p>Put this in perspective. Just a month or so before, national sports radio announcer/jerk Tony Kornheiser openly advocated "tapping" cyclists. <em>Since</em> this story broke, KDKA's own Mike Pintek said virtually the same thing. Add to that the Lisa Styles run-over in Dormont in late June.</p> <p>Is it any wonder cyclists are fearful? Is it any wonder cyclists such as myself have a take-no-prisoners attitude toward any sort of driver behavior that can cause us harm, whether intentional or not? </p> <p>Again, while I do not want to cause Don's family further distress, I <em>do</em> want to do anything within my own power and that of the cycling community in general that will cause ALL drivers to watch out for us and treat us safely and courteously. That includes the jerks!</p> <p>THAT message is not getting through, as long as the Struzzis and Pinteks and Kornheisers and certain pizza shop owners think and act and talk as they do. I should not feel as if I need to chain these people to a chair and stand over them wielding a large club.</p> <p>Our lives matter. That is a story worth covering. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/12#post-43371 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:16:07 +0000 beth910 43371@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>Mac1,<br /> I am sorry. I just sent a private message that I didn't feel belonged here. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/12#post-43332 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:25:02 +0000 Aleen Mary 43332@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>Hi Mac1<br /> I agree with all you have said and I too I'm gratefull for all of you who feel a memorial for Don is very important,I can't thank you enough for keeping the memory of such a wonderful man alive.<br /> I also hope that we can see safer riding condtions for bicyclist be enforced so no one else has to suffer the loss of a husband, father, son, and brother as Don's family has. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/12#post-43293 Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:03:52 +0000 mac1 43293@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>I am the one who was quoted in the paper "We don't want someone injured or worse" If Beth910 freewheeler knew my brother, she would know that my brother would never want another person endangered while trying to memorialize him. Don was a gentle man that would never harm a soul.<br /> I have sat and read the "chatter" amoungest you and while I don't agree with it all, we all have a right to our opinions, however when I see blantant mockery to my feelings I have to say something. Please also remember, just because it is quoted in the paper does not mean things were not said that went along with it that did not get put in. It is very possible that that the excuse about an accident being caused was just that an excuse to get rid of the "ghost bike" however do any of you want to live with that if it was true and another fatal accident would occur, I don't and I can't believe my brother would either. </p> <p>I think a memorial for Don is a wonderful idea and I thank you for that. It is a great way to not only honor a wonderful Christian, husband and father,I hope and pray when people see it they will remember what happened there and slow down and be more respectful of others on the roads. Also, I would like to thank who ever organized the rides in his memory, it is nice to see so many people come together. Bless you all. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/12#post-43206 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:34:50 +0000 stefb 43206@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>ever try to drive the speed limit in the city? or anywhere for the matter? you have some angry people up your ass. everyone is too busy and in too much of a hurry to care about anyone but themselves generally.</p> <p>i still say that people should be forced to ride a bicycle for a week instead of using a car. then they will be more aware of what they are doing in their cars </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/12#post-43197 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:03:43 +0000 StuInMcCandless 43197@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>^^^THIS MESSAGE (press the "11" above and to your right and scroll to the bottom) is the message the media needs to be getting out. YEAH it's in your face, YEAH it's emotionally disturbing. TOO FLIPPIN' BAD!! We cyclists do not want to be the next Don Parker!</p> <p>Hey media, AND Mr. Struzzi AND Mr. Pintek AND Jack of Jack's Pizza &amp; Hoagies at 3565 Harts Run Rd, the rest of us living, breathing cyclists with spouses and children DO NOT WANT TO BE THE NEXT DON PARKER!</p> <p>How about, media, if you actually READ the 500 posts on this thread, and cover THIS story? We, the close-knit cycling community, HAVE A POINT. We have a MESSAGE. And we're damn tired of people who miss that point.</p> <p>The actual reporters who have covered the story have usually been more than helpful and willing to convey the <em>story</em>, but the <em>message </em> is not getting through.</p> <p>Sure I'm screaming. Mr. Parker didn't get a chance to scream. He got a pickup truck in the back at (OK I'll be nice) 40 mph! I stood on that road myself at the very spot he got killed, and I'll bet half the cars going past me were at 50+.</p> <p>Who do we have to choke in order to get this message THROUGH to people? </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-43191 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:24:52 +0000 beth910 43191@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>"We don't want someone injured or worse."</p> <p>Really? A man already died, a wife lost her husband, 3 children lost their father. It's a ghost bike, that's supposed to raise awareness. If people slow down for it, GOOD. Perhaps it will make people pay more attention when they are driving. Which is what you're supposed to be DOING ANYWAY!</p> <p>Remove this bike, it is a distraction. And while you're at it remove all bikes... </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-43188 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:02:41 +0000 Lyle 43188@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>I wouldn't be too surprised if he drove off the side of the road AND hit Parker.</p> <p>It's hard to keep a truck on the road when you're fussing with your flip flops. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-43178 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:19:22 +0000 Nick D 43178@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>Mary, you are right. That is certainly incorrect, and a big deal. </p> <p>I will send a message to the author. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-43159 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:38:25 +0000 Mary 43159@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>Perhaps I've missed something along the way, but this article is the first time I've seen it in print that the driver "drove off the side of the road and hit Parker." (as opposed to a discussion of whether Don Parker "belonged" where he was riding)</p> <p>Surely that's a big deal. Right? </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-43143 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:55:41 +0000 Nick D 43143@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>Although the article isn't exactly what I expected, I still greatly appreciate Ashley for taking time to investigate it. She cleared a lot of things that I was unable to confirm.</p> <p>The whole thing with PennDot is ridiculous, because they won't even call me back. I still have to go up and pick the old ghost bike up.... I keep forgetting to drive to work.</p> <p>I have been swamped with work, but i am going to get back on bugging people towards the end of the week. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-43101 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 02:23:26 +0000 mark 43101@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>not that it matters much but the bike could have also been removed by taking the bolt out of the bottom of the sign and lifting it up. something to check on future longterm lockups.</p> <p>i have a the bike that my brother was hit on two years ago that i'd like to use for something like this... he died at the scene and was brought back to life in the hospital... he doesn't want anything to do with the bike, its pretty messed up but its still a bike that won't be used for anything else. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-43088 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 22:41:51 +0000 StuInMcCandless 43088@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>Look at the pictures of the memorial on <a href="http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/9">page 9</a> of this thread, and then at this other quote from PennDOT's Struzzi:</p> <p><em>It was too close to the side of the road, Struzzi said.<br /> "We can't allow that; it's not safe," he said.</em></p> <p>Anyone who was far enough off the road to crunch the bike was going to have a bigger problem with the telephone pole about 15 feet beyond it.</p> <p>-1 again </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-43083 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 22:34:12 +0000 stefb 43083@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>I think the whole thing is bullshit. maybe pennDOT should put up some yellow flashing lights/red flashing "stop ahead" sign to get people to slow down as they come up that hill/around the bend. i'm sure that people have been speeding before and have rear-ended others at the intersection before without the ghost bike. </p> <p>i think i'm gonna be a giant douche and call pennDOT about every since cross/candle/stuffed animal along the side of the road and say "i think it's a distraction!" then someone might do a story on me and call me an asshole. but that's only if it doesn't involve a bicycle. because "bicyclists shouldn't be on the road" and it's something that isn't taken seriously still. what a bunch of shit. if something ever happens to me, please put up one of those big electronic billboards for me, since those aren't considered a distraction. but if you put a picture of a ghostbike on it, it would probably be considered one. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-43058 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:25:43 +0000 rsprake 43058@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>If people are almost getting rear ended outside of Jack's Pizza and Hoagies at 3565 Harts Run Rd. while slowing down something tells me that the real safety issue is the way these people drive. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-43057 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:16:34 +0000 AtLeastMyKidsLoveMe 43057@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>Rode past there this morning with a couple buddies. Somehow the four of us managed to resist the urge to stop and buy anything. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-43054 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:10:01 +0000 dwillen 43054@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>It also had a giant URL right on the sign. Not sure how it could be any easier to figure out who put it up. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-43047 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 16:35:11 +0000 StuInMcCandless 43047@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>There are so many things wrong with that story (not the reporting, what they're reporting about) that I don't know where to start. </p> <p>How about here: <em>"But PennDOT did not know who put up the memorial, so it had no one to contact, Struzzi said."</em></p> <p>Jeez, it was only on the TV news. Fifteen seconds of looking on Google would have gotten them to this thread, too. They didn't try, is what they're saying.</p> <p>-1 </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-43037 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 13:55:08 +0000 Noah Mustion 43037@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>The article is up: <a href="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_691893.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_691893.html</a> </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-42959 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 01:41:36 +0000 cburch 42959@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>damn this thread about how the owner of Jack's Pizza and Hoagies at 3565 Harts Run Rd. had a memorial to a father killed by a speeding driver removed by pendot hasn't made it to the first page of google yet. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-42957 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 01:26:57 +0000 sarah_q 42957@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>You'd think Jack's Pizza and Hoagies at 3565 Harts Run Rd. would realize that people slowing down and paying attention is good for business and bitching about a roadside memorial makes you a total db. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-42886 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:21:20 +0000 edmonds59 42886@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>Based on the son's comments that someone remarked on previously, it seems that the "hazard" concern may have been a complete smokescreen to have the memorial removed from what they perceive to be "their" property, and Penndot was played into doing the dirty work. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-42879 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:03:09 +0000 Nick D 42879@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>From a business owner's perspective, it is good for business for people to be slowing down in front of your location. With people slowing down they may realize Jack's sells pizza and hoagies, when they may have previously thought it was only a gas station.</p> <p>Plus, if car are slowing on Harts Run Rd, it would make getting in and out of Jack's Pizza easier. </p> <p>I hear his pizza is good, and he may be a decent guy, I just don't understand what his problem is. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-42868 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:19:13 +0000 Noah Mustion 42868@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>Jack from Jack's Pizza and Hoagies at 3565 Harts Run Road encourages unsafe driving. </p> <p>Q.E.D. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-42864 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:02:29 +0000 StuInMcCandless 42864@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>The road is for cars and trucks going 15+ over the speed limit, and everything else needs to stay out of the way.</p> <p>Including while approaching a stop sign on an uphill.</p> <p>At a business entrance.</p> <p>Dumb #$@@ indeed. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-42841 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:45:19 +0000 edmonds59 42841@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>myddrin, I've done work that involves working with Penndot, but in general, their prime directive is vehicular safety, which they interpret as, nothing can be permitted to impact automobile and truck traffic even if it makes pedestrian or cyclists safer, saves puppies, or ends world hunger. NOTHING! The road is for cars, trucks, and everything else needs to stay out the way. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-42839 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:21:18 +0000 myddrin 42839@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>I can't remember, but has Google fixed their algorithm that allowed google-bombing? I recall for a while there was a thing going on with searching for "miserable failure", for example.</p> <p>If they haven't, perhaps a google bomb linking 'heartless business owner' or 'clueless business owner' and Jack's Pizza and Hoagies at 3565 Harts Run Rd would be a interesting exercise?</p> <p>At the very least tweeting and blogging about this whole thing is well advised once the article comes out.</p> <p>This whole thing angers me. Not only should have the police pressed charges months ago, but PennDOT should have told this guy to take a flying leap through a rolling donut. Or at the very least said something like:</p> <p>"Well sir, perhaps given that a SOMEONE WAS KILLED at that location by a driver GOING TOO FAST, a memorial that slows down traffic is completely appropriate. You dumb #$@@!" </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-42836 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:20:32 +0000 HoffmannJ 42836@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>Nick, it's great to see that some answers are coming to the surface. Although you said there is no need to thank you, your persistance is certainly admirable in helping to keep attention on this.</p> <p>It is also great to see that the media is actually following up on that. Perhaps the Trib's article might help keep the waters stirred. </p> <p>I don't quite understand why a business like Jack's Pizza and Hoagies at 3565 Harts Run Rd. would be so concerned about a memorial being a "hazard" when the point is to serve as a memorial to someone who was killed by hazardous driving on that very road. I used to stop in there while riding in the area for snacks or beverages, but the past tense is quite key in that sentence. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-42794 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:48:27 +0000 cburch 42794@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>well i'm certainly not going to be getting any pizza or hoagies from Jack's Pizza &amp; Hoagies at 3565 Harts Run Rd. not if he sees fit to have a memorial to a cyclist killed because it was actually calming traffic and getting people to drive the speed limit. way to not get it Jack of Jack's Pizza &amp; Hoagies at 3565 Harts Run Rd. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-42793 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:45:12 +0000 Noah Mustion 42793@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>Wow, thank you Jack of Jack's Pizza &amp; Hoagies at 3565 Harts Run Rd. for being such a samaritan! </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-42791 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:41:26 +0000 Nick D 42791@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>There is an article slated for press on Sunday in the Trib concerning the controversy around the ghost bike.</p> <p>It turns out it was Jack of Jack's Pizza &amp; Hoagies who called Penndot and complained about the ghost bike. He said it was a hazard because people were slowing down by it and they were almost getting rear ended by people coming up the road.</p> <p>(Yes, he was complaining because it was causing people to slow down and almost get rear ended by dangerous driver not paying attention coming up the hill.) </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-42647 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:59:32 +0000 AtLeastMyKidsLoveMe 42647@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>Does proximity to a Ghost Bike diminish one's appetite for gas station pizza and hoagies?</p> <p>So weak. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-42634 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:10:14 +0000 Nick D 42634@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>I just talked to a reporter from the Trib who is writing an in-depth article about the controversy surrounding this. Hopefully it will make it to print and we will see it in the next few days.</p> <p>Also, (it is not 100% confirmed) it seems Jack, the owner of Jack's Pizza &amp; Hoagies/Citgo, was the complainant that had PennDot remove the ghost bike. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-42554 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:08:03 +0000 Nick D 42554@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>I have no positive news to share.</p> <p>I haven't heard back form anyone at PennDot (I am going to leave messages for the 3rd time to see if I get a response).</p> <p>I spoke with an assistant DA last night who gave me a little insight, but I am not too keen on posting what we spoke about.</p> <p>Today or tomorrow I plan on calling state rep. Matt Smith, and the guys at PennDot. I'll let you know what I find out. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-42443 Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:18:02 +0000 bikeygirl 42443@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>Ok.... this thread seems to be as dead as any response by the City on the Don Parker death, or to what charges will be given to the driver of the pick-up truck that killed him (if any since the driver, his family AND community are all bend-up on staying shut about owning-up to anything regarding this mess)</p> <p>Any news?<br /> How about installing a new ghost bike?</p> <p>Almost (3) months since the accident with almost NO ANSWERS is too much....</p> <p>BikeFest is fast approaching, and I was thinking that one less-of-us won't be there: Don. Could we try to do a ride to honor his memory again, and also to honor all those of us who have had close-calls, or actual real accidents, and even death; due to irresponsible drivers? We can install the GhostBike as well....</p> <p>Any thoughts? </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-41540 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:12:08 +0000 ejwme 41540@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>swalfoort - my point was that it's not a Penn DOT road - it's OUR road. WE pay them to maintain it, the way WE want it, through taxes. It irks me that people claim ownership over something to remove a burr under their saddle but when it comes time to actually improve something or be responsible, it once again becomes public land, or at least "not mine". </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-41418 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:02:39 +0000 robjdlc 41418@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>I had toyed with the idea of making a small aluminum bike (not like functional bike, I mean bike shape cut out of a flat piece of aluminum). </p> <p>Maybe a foot long? Could cut out dons name in the frame, or maybe nick could get some vinyl lettering for it. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-41416 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 18:51:18 +0000 ErinK 41416@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>We could stencil paint a white bike on the shoulder. Might be vandalism, but it might be protected speech - you would want to find out which beforehand, since it's easily traceable to the ghost bike initiative. </p> <p>In any case, I know that various events are permitted to paint arrows and other route markers on roads - what's the difference here?</p> <p>I know I've seen an article about roadside memorials before - they are sometimes tolerated but I think it's legal for road maintenance to remove them. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-41398 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 17:38:11 +0000 Swalfoort 41398@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>@ejw - the list of roads that belong to PennDOT is enormous. It would be hard to post. Watch the route numbers on the roads you use. Anything labeled SR xxxx is a PennDOT road. One and two digit PennDOT roads are roads you probably know by their number 8, 22, 28, 65, 19 etc. Other, smaller roads you might know by number 119 or 422 for example, or you may know by a standard street name. The four digit roads (such as the one Don Parker was killed on) you will know almost exclusively by a street name, and not by number. But, at most major intersections, there will be a small white sign that identifies the route number. These signs are very small - about the size of an index card, and are very easy to miss. </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-41390 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 17:08:42 +0000 Aleen Mary 41390@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>I did not see it but I understand that on the news this morning that Penn Dot said they would work together to set up another memorial for Don.<br /> Also I received a response via email from someone in the DA office the email follows:</p> <p>I apologize for the delay in answering your first email. My sympathies on the loss of your son. I ride about 12 miles a day on my bike so I'm aware of the things that can happen between bike riders and drivers. I know it's hard to be patient right now, but we are still reviewing all of the information related to Don's death.</p> <p>District Attorney Zappala has made it a point to be extremely thorough in these types of investigations so that nothing is missed.</p> <p>I will make sure that as soon as we are finished with our review, someone will be in touch with you and your husband.</p> <p>Sincerely,</p> <p>Mike Manko </p> http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/cyclist-killed-on-harts-run-rd/page/11#post-41385 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:31:11 +0000 Eric 41385@http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/ <p>How long has the cross been up on the outbound side of 376 past the Fort Pitt tunnels? A decade? </p>