Friday Afternoon Commute - Bad stats

Good afternoon. I successfully sold my folding bike (but my Schwinn) is still on the market. It's only the third bike I've willingly parted with since I became an adult. One I sold before leaving for Peace Corps and the other - the "Bike of Love" - I donated to Goodwill when I got a better road bike. They'll be some emotional adjustments needed.

• Bad Headline: "Biking to Work: Healthy Trend leads to more collisions." Proably not true. Sure, more cyclists will likely lead to more bike-related collisions. But they aren't (and probably can't) accounting for the fact that less driving should result in fewer car collisions. Also, it's hard to call one year to year comparison a solid trend. Still, next week's headline "Vegetables: Healthy eating leads to more chokings" This video, and others, below the jump.
• The last of those videos is for the Penn Ave bike lanes story, in which the on-the-scene reporter says that things had "gotten so dangerous that something had to be done" which is probably a bit of hyperbole. One crash per season isn't really Thunderdome. Another takes time to emphasize that cyclists "also need to follow the rules" pointing to red light running. Following the rules is good, but if 11 out of 14 crashes are the result of illegal U-turns, it's not really a "we're all equally responsible" situation.
• Text of the bill moving through the DC Council is here. 
• How to get more loacl bike news.
• Baltimore County approved the bike and pedestrian plan that Richard Layman worked on. It now becomes part of the Master Plan. "The plan offers a long-term look at the infrastructure and steps necessary to make roadways safer for children walking to school, commuters pedaling to work and recreational cyclists on a weekend ride."
• 20 gifts for cyclists. 

View more videos at: http://nbcwashington.com.

Comments

[Crikey7]

The accident stats remind me that I desperately need a new talisman. I knew my fossilized walrus penis bone had lost its mojo last year when I broke 4 bones in the space of 3 months. Now I'm down to my last medallion personally blessed by Mother Teresa.

There's an Italian doctor who claims he can take care of it, but I dunno. Maybe a length of dreadlocks from an old but healthy bicycle courier?

[dynaryder]

Most of those gifts were goofy and/or silly expensive. I really wish people would stop buying those 'hipster cysts'(the Bookman lights) and get real lights. Yes,you'll look like a Fred with those light mounts on your bike,but at least people will see you.

[SJE]

The stats also suffer from reporting bias. In the past I would not have bothered to report a minor incident, but now would do so to ensure that I can get coverage for any hidden injuries that manifest later, and to promote traffic safety.