19 May 2019
18 May 2019
Where It's Really Hard To Get Out Of The Way
I've ridden the block dozens of times. And walked it at least as often.
It's less than a kilometer from where I grew up. Relatives, friends and classmates lived along the streets that crossed it.
Unfortunately, for a 16-year-old boy, it's where his life ended.
Yisroel Schwartz was riding north on 17th Avenue, a narrow thoroughfare that runs through the heart of Borough Park, a neighborhood that is no as riding north on 17th Avenue, a narrow thoroughfare that runs through the heart of Borough Park, a neighborhood that is now home to one of the world's largest yet most cohesive Hasidic Jewish communities.
Although it's called an "avenue," it's narrower than most streets or roads in other American cities. And because the Hasidim, who have large families, are among the most car-reliant people in New York City, the avenue is often crowded--even when drivers aren't pulled over to pick up or discharge family members, or simply double-parked.
Those conditions, unfortunately, make getting "doored" a particular hazard. That was the last lesson Yisroel Schwartz learned in his brief life.
He saw the door opening and swerved. But he couldn't avoid it, striking the door and falling to the pavement.
But it gets worse: While prone, he was struck by an Econoline E350 van that was heading in the same direction. He suffered severe trauma to his head and body, and was pronounced dead soon after arriving at Maimonides Medical Center, about halfway between that block and my old house.
Both drivers--of he car whose door he struck and the van that struck him--remained at the scene of the accident. The NYPD are investigating. Knowing that stretch of 17th Avenue--which I probably wouldn't ride if I weren't so familiar with it--I am actually inclined to give the van driver at least, the benefit of the doubt. No matter your cycling or driving skills, it's really hard to get out of the way on that stretch of the Avenue, between 53rd and 52nd Streets.
It's less than a kilometer from where I grew up. Relatives, friends and classmates lived along the streets that crossed it.
Unfortunately, for a 16-year-old boy, it's where his life ended.
Yisroel Schwartz was riding north on 17th Avenue, a narrow thoroughfare that runs through the heart of Borough Park, a neighborhood that is no as riding north on 17th Avenue, a narrow thoroughfare that runs through the heart of Borough Park, a neighborhood that is now home to one of the world's largest yet most cohesive Hasidic Jewish communities.
Although it's called an "avenue," it's narrower than most streets or roads in other American cities. And because the Hasidim, who have large families, are among the most car-reliant people in New York City, the avenue is often crowded--even when drivers aren't pulled over to pick up or discharge family members, or simply double-parked.
Those conditions, unfortunately, make getting "doored" a particular hazard. That was the last lesson Yisroel Schwartz learned in his brief life.
He saw the door opening and swerved. But he couldn't avoid it, striking the door and falling to the pavement.
But it gets worse: While prone, he was struck by an Econoline E350 van that was heading in the same direction. He suffered severe trauma to his head and body, and was pronounced dead soon after arriving at Maimonides Medical Center, about halfway between that block and my old house.
Both drivers--of he car whose door he struck and the van that struck him--remained at the scene of the accident. The NYPD are investigating. Knowing that stretch of 17th Avenue--which I probably wouldn't ride if I weren't so familiar with it--I am actually inclined to give the van driver at least, the benefit of the doubt. No matter your cycling or driving skills, it's really hard to get out of the way on that stretch of the Avenue, between 53rd and 52nd Streets.
17 May 2019
If He Flies, It Won't Be A High For Him
When I first became a dedicated cyclist, in the mid-1970s, I eagerly awaited my monthly copy of Bicycling! magazine. Among the reviews and ads for bikes and equipment I couldn't afford, there was John Rakowski's serialized account of his ride around the world.
To this day, it's one of the most impressive feats I've ever read or heard about. Riding a bicycle around the world! Over three years, he pedaled through every continent except Antarctica.
It's such an impressive feat that I simply could not, imagine doing it more than once--until yesterday. While surfing the web over supper (not a "best practice," I know!) I came across a story about Armando Basile, who hails from Germany.
He's completed six velocipedic circumnavigations of the globe. Yes, six. And he was on his seventh such sojourn (Yes, I plagiarized the Moody Blues!) in Crescent City, California, the other day when the only thing that could have stopped him happened.
His Tout Terrain bicycle was stolen. He called the Crescent City Police Department to say that his mount was taken at the Chevron South on Highway 101 at Elk Valley Road.
"The way it looks, the tour is finished," Basile posted to his Facebook page. That is, unless someone calls 707-464-2133 with information that could lead to the wheels' whereabouts.
Otherwise, he'll be going from San Francisco to Frankfurt tomorrow--on a plane. I don't think the best in-flight amenities could make him feel good under such circumstances!
To this day, it's one of the most impressive feats I've ever read or heard about. Riding a bicycle around the world! Over three years, he pedaled through every continent except Antarctica.
It's such an impressive feat that I simply could not, imagine doing it more than once--until yesterday. While surfing the web over supper (not a "best practice," I know!) I came across a story about Armando Basile, who hails from Germany.
He's completed six velocipedic circumnavigations of the globe. Yes, six. And he was on his seventh such sojourn (Yes, I plagiarized the Moody Blues!) in Crescent City, California, the other day when the only thing that could have stopped him happened.
 |
| Surveillance video reportedly shows suspect with Basile's bike. |
His Tout Terrain bicycle was stolen. He called the Crescent City Police Department to say that his mount was taken at the Chevron South on Highway 101 at Elk Valley Road.
"The way it looks, the tour is finished," Basile posted to his Facebook page. That is, unless someone calls 707-464-2133 with information that could lead to the wheels' whereabouts.
Otherwise, he'll be going from San Francisco to Frankfurt tomorrow--on a plane. I don't think the best in-flight amenities could make him feel good under such circumstances!
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