A bicycle commuter in Washington, D.C. intervened Wednesday morning to stop syndicated political columnist Robert Novak after Novak reported struck a pedestrian on D.C.’s K Street and then kept driving.
According to a Washington Post account, Novak was driving his black Chevrolet Corvette with the top up when he struck a homeless man crossing the street. The pedestrian rolled up onto the windshield, then onto the pavement, according to witness David Bono. Novak then continued driving. Bono, on his bicycle, rode ahead of Novak’s car and stopped him a block away. Bono reportedly put himself and his bicycle directly in front of Novak’s car and stopped traffic until police arrived. Novak, who received a $50 citation, denied seeing the pedestrian. Novak’s column regularly appears on the New Era editorial page.
Speaking of talking heads, there was a newsroom reference this morning to the 1980s new wave band of that name. Bicycling magazine recently had an article on David Byrne, the band’s former singer and regular bicyclist on the streets of Manhattan. He takes a folding bicycle with him whenever he travels.
Riding the same New York streets is Albert Bouchard. The former drummer for the Blue Oyster Cult. Bouchard, now an unassuming music teacher, was named a “Super Commuter” by accessories maker Planet Bike a few years ago. Bouchard was the real percussionist in the 1976 recording of “Don’t fear the reaper” which was parodied in a 2000 Saturday Night Live skit with Will Ferrell and Christopher Walken. The “More Cowbell” skit has almost become more famous than the band itself, Bouchard acknowledged in an interview for the Planet Bike profile.
The Associated Press is reporting today that Internet-based mapping services are responding to increasing interest in walking and bicycling as an alternative to high gasoline prices by developing maps of low-traffic routes. Google has recently launched a walking-directions service and MapQuest is reporting more use of its “avoid highways” function and offering a walking directions service on cell phones, the AP article reports.
Riders will be taking to the streets for the Dream Ride Lancaster bicycle tours on Saturday. There are rides of 10, 20, 30, 62 and 100 miles in length. All rides begin at Riverview Elementary School on Route 441 in Marietta, after sunrise, between 6 and 6:30 a.m. Same-day registration is available for $20. Proceeds from the rides go to various local charities.
And, lastly, 244 riders had registered for Saturday’s Grandview Grand Prix criterium races, that will be held in the Grandview Heights neighborhood, just north of Lancaster City. Same-day registration will also be available and afternoon children’s races are free.
