pic seen at metro...
Rachel Fletcher, a 30-year-old experienced and well-known Center City courier, was struck at 23rd and Locusts Streets early Thanksgiving morning and remained at Hahnemann Hospital until Saturday after surgery to repair her face and jaw...
...Fletcher said she was yelled at by an angry driver near 23rd and Locust and then struck by his silver hatchback at about 2:30 a.m. Brito says police are treating the incident as an accident, not the hit-and-run they said it should be.
get the full article here...wtf?! is it me or does this not sound right? a driver hit her and then fled the scene...how is that not a hit and run? this sh*t is crazy. an injury to one is an injury to all...keep an eye on the phillybma for details on the story and how one can help.
the "accident" just brings to light alot of new sh*t that philly is dealing with. the city wants to implement new laws...including license to ride bikes and 1000.oo fine for riding brakeless, or fixed gear...
The messengers oppose two bills before City Council that would raise fines for cycling violations and expand regulations for bicycles, including a mandate for license plates.
get the full article here. looks like things are getting crazy on the east coast. good job to the phillybma for jumping on it and getting a press release out there...
Philadelphia Bike Messenger Association
Press Release
November 2009
The Philadelphia Bike Messenger Association (PBMA) would like to declare our stance on new cycling legislation proposed by councilmen DiCicco and Kenney and respond to the rise of an anti-cycling climate in our city.
We do not oppose the enforcement of existing laws regarding bicycle riding, but believe that equal and consistent enforcement amongst cyclists, pedestrians and motorists is key. Consistent enforcement of traffic violations would improve the lives of everyone in this city no matter what their mode of travel might be. It is our memberships consensus that the proposed laws put forth by Councilman DiCicco and Councilman Kenney would be specifically harmful to bicycle messengers. No working bike messenger in this city could afford a $1,000 fine or possible confiscation of a work bike deemed brakeless according to the proposed laws. The PBMA does not think that a registration program is feasible in a city under so much budget distress and would rather see resources allocated to better causes.
The idea that Philadelphia bike messengers are dangerous is an unfortunate perception amongst motorists and pedestrians. We are often mistaken for dangerous cyclists, as people believe that anyone with a bag and a bike is working as a bicycle messenger. Hazardous cycling makes a professional messenger as concerned as any motorist alongside of them in traffic. It is also apparent to our membership that anti-cycling sentiment continues to grow rapidly in Philadelphia. Recently a co-worker was intentionally targeted by an angry motorist and was the victim of a hit and run. Aggression from motorists in the form of verbal threats or their leaving the scene of an accident is commonplace in our workday and sadly increasing in frequency for other city cyclists as well. It is our hope that we can change the views of the public and see Philadelphia become the bicycling friendly city it can be.
In the coming months the PBMA will work towards improving our working conditions that not only benefit us but other city cyclists, pedestrians and motorists in Philadelphia.
www.phillybma.org
phillybma@gmail.com
hope rachel fletcher heals quick and justice is served. good luck to our brothers and sisters out in the philadelphia area. we might be separated by many miles but we hear you and if you cats need help...don't be afraid to reach out. ride safe kids...peace.
1 comment:
Hit and run? That's assault and battery!
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