San Francisco and Austin Bike Accident Attorneys - Biking in Austin

Ride of Silence-May 21, 2008

nospam@example.com (The Shefman Law Group) — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:59:13 -0700

The Ride of Silence
On May 21, 2008 at 7 PM all over North America and hopefully across the Planet Earth, cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways.
The ride began in Dallas, Texas following the death of endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was killed when hit by a rear view mirror of a passing bus. This is a free, average paced (12 mph) silent ride. If there is not an organized ride in your area, organize today!

Dangerous Conditions of Public Property & Bicyclists

nospam@example.com (The Shefman Law Group) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:36:16 -0700

California Government Code Sections 830-835 and the Texas Tort Claims Act/Texas Government Code, §402.021 define a dangerous condition generally as a condition of property that creates a substantial (as distinguished from a minor, trivial or insignificant) risk of injury when such property or adjacent property is used with due care in a manner in which it is reasonably foreseeable that it will be used. When a public entity has notice of a dangerous condition, unreasonable failure to protect pedestrians, cyclists, or motorists from that dangerous condition creates a liability on the part of the public entity.
Austin and The Bay Area are pitted with potholes and jagged edged depressions that are traps for the unsuspecting bike rider(s) and/or pedestrian(s) alike. In either city, Austin or San Francisco, by calling 3-1-1 you can report a pothole. Also, The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition as well as the East Bay Bicycle Coalition (working as partners with the respective cities) have taken matters into their own hands (literally) giving notice of these dangers to the public entity by either spray painting the dangerous areas for the City to fix, or providing a place on their website to put the city on notice of the dangerous condition. So, feel free to put a little spray paint graffiti next to your favorite pot hole and immediately report the hole to the city via 3-1-1.
If you see a pot hole or become victim to one, please report it to the proper city either through the 3-1-1 or the SFBC or EBBC's online reporting page. You may save another bicyclist or pedestrian severe injury. If you have been injured as a result of one of these dangerous conditions, contact our office so we can help you with your government claim and compensation for your personal injuries.

Cupertino Cyclist Tragedy - Sheriff Shame

nospam@example.com (The Shefman Law Group) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 21:13:11 -0700

There are simply no words for this horrible cycling incident. We wish the very best to the friends and families of these cyclists, the Roaring Mouse Cycle shop, and the other team members of the Roaring Mouse Cycling Team.

On March 9, 2008 three cyclists were trianing in Cupertino when a Sheriff fell asleep in his cruiser while driving, crossed over his side of the highway, the median, and then without so much as a skidmark, ran over and killed world competition tri-athlete Kristy Gough, age 31 and Matt Peterson, age 29. A third cyclist, was critically injured and since has filed a government claim to bring a later law suit.

A later shocking event took place when the irresponsible writings followed this event by San Francisco Chronicle Staff Writer, Erin McCormick titling her article, Bicyclists blamed twice as often as car drivers was published.

The title itself is enough to make one crawl out of their skin when written on the heals and in response to such a tragic event where clearly not a cyclist could be blamed for the idiocy and unconscious (literally) acts of an irresponsibe Sheriff and negligent Sheriff's department. The Chronicle writer contacted many recently injured cyclists from the Bay Area however, she was only willing to publish their comments if they had negative things to say about cycling or would vow to never ride again, seriously!

For the families and loved ones of these giant athletes and in celebration of their memory and for the love of their sport- peace be with you.

For more information on bicycling safety visit : http://www.cyclistlaw.com