Not safe? 😩 - Santa Cruz, CA - CycleBlaze

Not safe? 😩

Dear Cycle Blazers,

Imagine my horror when I read this article about MY town as being one of the least safe places in all of California to ride a bicycle safely! ☹️

It is so bad, that despite our “tourism draws” ( ocean, redwoods, boardwalk, food, great ( usually) weather), we are ranked second highest in cyclists killed, and second worst in alcohol involved collisions! 

The author of this article on “ Lookout Santa Cruz”, Max Chun thoroughly reported the facts to back up this sad story. 

As it is lengthy, should you choose to read it in its entirety, google “ Lookout Santa Cruz”.

Stay safe, alert, and wear those helmets!

Natalie ( bike name) ready for riding!
Heart 2 Comment 2 Link
Mark BinghamWhat a fantastic bike! And is that a yoga mat? I see your bell on the right, so what’s on the left handlebar?
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3 weeks ago
Karen PoretThe “fantastic bike” is a GIANT brand, “Via”, circa 2018. I bought her from Bicycle Trip ( bike store in Santa Cruz) bookkeeper, named Natalie, hence the name of the bike. She is a three speed basic bike. The blue bell is from Bankras bicycle shop in Amsterdam which has the distinctive ding people enjoy and are not (usually) annoyed to hear. I cover it up with a sock when the bike is parked, otherwise the “ooh, let’s take this” temptation is too great. 🙄 The other red thing is a “knog” bell, which the bicycle employee put on the other handlebar for me; just because! ❤️
The panniers were bought at a Kings Day flea market in Alkmaar, Netherlands in 2017. They were brand new, too. The same thing in a bike store was twice the price🫣
The red thing in the center ( in the “vase”, which is part of the Giant frame!) is a vinyl tulip from Monnickendam.
Last but not least..the “yoga mat” is actually a camping mat for use under a sleeping bag which my husband “inherited” when a former park employee of his passed away. It is made by Cascade Designs in Seattle, WA. I use it when I take barre class at goat. ( GOAT is the name of the exercise place I go pretty much every day, here in Santa Cruz.) The mat is a real piece of conversation due to the ridges and shape, and is quite comfortable!
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3 weeks ago
Helmet and bike gloves are a must!
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Tom FlournoyDidn't you leave these in the Netherlands for the next tourist? -Mark
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1 week ago
Karen PoretTo Tom FlournoyYes! I really like that helmet because it was left on the barge when I intended to purchase one in the Netherlands 🇳🇱.
I did bring it back with me the first time, but returned it to where it was left for someone else to use.
Helmets are the bane of suitcases!
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1 week ago
Tom FlournoyTo Karen PoretWhen we toured, I put the helmet in my bike box, along with other things (e.g., I used the empty water bottle to put my nail clippers and disposable contacts in). But since you didn't bring your own bike, yes... a PITA to carry the helmet around. -Mark
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1 week ago
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Comment on this entry Comment 3
Mike AylingHi Karen

In a recent interview the Assistant Police Commissioner for Traffic in the Australian State of Victoria blamed Entitled and Arrogant drivers for the high number of traffic deaths.
So until parents and educators change their approach to child rearing nothing is going to change.
Ride carefully and a good idea to post this as a journal, few people here bother with the forums.
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1 month ago
Karen PoretTo Mike AylingThank you, Mike, for your wise perspective! It’s sad so many people are of a “ above the law” mentality nowadays. ( Guess the orange guy in the WH has something to do with that)..
I thought about putting the important things of his article in the journal post, but thought better of it because it’s really not something most CB readers are interested in! Besides, it’s really “same old, same old” stuff we all are aware of but take with a grain of salt.

Victoria, Australia 🇦🇺? My younger daughter studied in Geelong her junior year! She loved the people but it was 🥵 for her weather wise.. G’day!

Thanks again!
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1 month ago
Mike AylingTo Karen PoretHi Karen, Geelong is about sixty miles from where we are in Melbourne.
I just got home from walking our rescue Greyhound. It is Winter here and it is about 10 Degrees centigrade atm but a very cold north wind is blowing. Glad to be inside again.
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1 month ago