Danny Fadgen Update

I received this by e-mail today:

Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 12:50:23 EDT

Subject: Update on the 26 year old who hit Danny Fadgen with his car

Capt. Alan Keller from the Germantown Police returned my call from yesterday. He could not have been any nicer. As a runner, he was concerned when he heard what had happened, because people have thrown things at him while running. He has even been shot with a paintball while running along Germantown Parkway.

Capt Keller had one of the Lieutenants interview the driver when he returned to the scene, about 30 minutes after he had fled the scene. He was not drinking. Apparently, he was doing stupid things in the car, like talking on his cell phone and eating, and did not notice that he went on to the shoulder of Germantown Parkway. Apparently, he was convincing enough that the police did not feel that alcohol or road rage were issues.

The young man is just a moron.

They charged him with what they could, which was leaving the scene of an accident and not having proof of insurance. He had insurance, but did not have the card in either his car or wallet. Once, again, the guy is a moron. Also, the car he was driving was not his, like the newspaper reported. It belonged to his Dad, and was not stolen.

Unfortunately, Danny was just in the wrong place on Germantown Parkway at the wrong time, which coincided with the same time the guy was driving home.

Can we afford this bike lane thing?

But a better question might be

-- Can we afford not to create a climate in this city that is suitable and friendly toward bicycling?

What does bicycling solve?

Air pollution
Obesity
Traffic congestion
Parking problems
High fuel costs
...and many more!

Think globally, bike locally!

Wharton on Biking, and Let's Roll, y'all.

From the Memphis Flyer: (and also http://inthebluff.blogspot.com/ )

Shelby County mayor A C Wharton said that when he was first elected, it became clear to him that we were "creating disposable neighborhoods."

That realization eventually led to his Sustainable Shelby initiative, which included yesterday's call to action at the Memphis Botanic Garden.

"A few years ago, people thought they looked stupid if they rode a bicycle," Wharton said of Germany, a country he just visited and where a gallon of gas costs $8. "Now the only people who look stupid are those driving to work alone in their car."

Perhaps things are changing -- we'll see. I am hopeful but skeptical. I will be at the meeting tomorrow night at CBHS regarding bike lanes on Shady Grove and Brierview.

You can ride your bike with others to the meeting -- be sure to bring headlights and tail lights so you will be legal and more visible on the ride home after the meeting.

From Midtown, consider riding with the gang from Revolutions: from Anthony Siracusa: The shop will be closed on Thursday during our normal hours (6:30-8:30 p.m.) in lieu of a meeting held by the City of Memphis to discuss creating bike lanes on Shady Grove Road and Humphreys near Shelby Farms. Revolutions has organized a ride from First Congregational to Christian Brothers High School where the meeting will be held. The ride will leave from Revolutions at 5:15 p.m. in order to make it to the meeting by the start time of 6:30 p.m.. Please join us, or head over to CBHS at 6:30 p.m. Attendance and riding time count towards earning volunteer hours at Revolutions. Don't forget a blinky light and a helmet if you'd like to ride with us.

From East Memphis, cyclists will gather at the Super Lo parking lot on Southern- the ride will roll out at 6 pm sharp in order to get to CBHS on time.

And, if you just ride down Shady Grove, you'll probably eventually meet up with other cyclists heading to the meeting.