murderer and his murder weapon
Too many years ago, I was a die-hard bicyclist who pedaled everywhere. That habit died here in Minnesota, where we’re buried in snow for 6 months of the year, and half the remaining time is non-stop prairie winds. Some people do manage it, though, and I was thinking maybe I should start up again in my retirement, for those months when it is practical.
On second thought, though, the real daunting concern is all the assholes in cars.
Simon Richardson, 35, crashed into headteacher Michael Mullins, 56, who was cycling home from work at Stretford grammar school, Greater Manchester, on the evening of 20 April. Mullins hit the bonnet and windscreen of Richardson’s Volvo XC90 and then went under the car, becoming entangled in the suspension.
Richardson continued to drive for more than a mile, knowing that the trapped cyclist was just inches under his feet, a trial at Manchester Minshull Street crown court heard.
…
Richardson’s front-seat passenger, his cousin Gabrielle Debotte, told the trial they both heard “moaning” from outside as he drove away from the collision scene. Giving evidence for the prosecution, she said Richardson went on to say: “He’s under the car.”The collision happened in the village of Warburton. The court heard Richardson drove to a secluded farm track in Lymm, 1.3 miles away, in an attempt to dislodge Mullins.
After he stopped, Richardson twice tried to pull Mullins out, before returning to the car and driving sharply and deliberately from side to side before mounting a grass verge, the court heard. Mullins was finally released but was then driven over again as Richardson reversed and drove away.
We have a nice stationary exercise bicycle in our house. I think maybe that would be a better alternative.
Richardson has been found guilty of murder.
Yikes. Humanity finds new methods of horrifying me.
Who did he vote for in the last election?
I live on a about 10 mile stretch of country blacktop. 10 years back or so, they widened the road and added bike paths on both sides. I have been thinking about getting a bike for exercise. Now I’m having second thoughts.
erik333. i suspect probably Reform or Restore.
He’s been given a life sentence you’ll be glad to hear.
A few weeks ago the NYT ran a story on how manufacturers have changed the front profile of cars and trucks in recent years to be higher and more vertical than in the past. Walk through any parking lot and you can see it. It has had the effect that in collisions with pedestrians (and cyclists) the victim is hit above the center of gravity and is knocked down and drawn under the vehicle rather than scooped up onto the hood, with a consequent increase in fatalities and injuries. Back in the 1980s a couple of my cycling friends had car-bike accidents where they landed on the car’s hood and windshield. They were injured but survived. I don’t know how those same collisions would have turned out today where the front of the vehicle is a four foot high wall of steel.
Chris Rohrer @ 5
Obviously USA needs a federal law about changing the front of the cars. Existing steep-fronted cars should have a “cowcatcher” added.
There is a German town with a system with wagons hanging down from a rail instead of running on light rail. It has been in use since the 1920s. If you suspend the traffic above the ground like this you avoid the deep snow drifts.
^ ^ ^ ^
This hanging monorail tram is the ‘Wupperthaler Schwebebahn’ and it has been in use 126 years.
I just read a story about an icehole who pushed an innocent bystander against a bush and pointed a gun in his face. In too many instances the forces with the money and power are turning this nation into a decaying, murderous slum. And, gold plated trailer trash tRUMP, the magats and plutocrats are powering that deterioration.
Cue Martha and the Vandellas, again.
@7 and @8 birgerjohansson (and PZ’s words) point out (as I have pointed out in comments on a number of city planning sites) that putting cars, pedestrians, bicyclists and light rail on the same level is a disasterous19th Century design that the imbeciles who run cities here continue ignore.