Kissena Forum Archive

Oct 17, 2014 at 03:26 PM

I picked up Dale's bike at R&A for him and want to give a shout out to Aldo and the store. Aldo told me he was riding with a group when they came upon Dale, waited for the ambulance, brought his bike home and then to the store. He asked his mechanics to check it out, and when I went to the store, had his mechanic come out and double-check the bike.

He and his crew were all very concerned, wanted to send messages of good thoughts to Dale. I almost dropped my card on the counter for a new Colnago, I felt so good about it all. It's exactly what you want people riding in the park to do, if one is ever hurt. It's just crappy it was under these circumstances.

Not sure what caused the accident, a dropped chain, or just Dale's powerful legs ripping a hole through space-time.

Anyway, Dale's on the mend. I brought him beer to ease that concussion.

Don't let Lisa see that last part.

Dale Suttle

Oct 19, 2014 at 04:42 PM

Hello All,

Thanks for the concern and well wishes, to Jules for the day of info and contact with Lauren, and to Bruce for picking up that nasty bucking bronco of a bike. I'm doing pretty well at this point--it's been 8 days of lazing around and sleeping. I had a good check up with a Neurologist on Friday. I'm healing well and going to be just fine but will still be a week before I can work and 3 or more before I'm suppose to ride.

I don't think I'll ever have any memory of what happened. I think I was doing some kind of sprint interval and maybe my chain came off. Something still doesn't feel quite right about that theory, but I may never know.

I spent the night at Lutheran for observation with a concussion and a subdural hematoma, but it subsided well enough and they let me go. My shoulder is still a little messed up--does anybody know a good orthopedist round here? Thanks again for the concern. See you'll out on the road soon.

Dale

JohnMalcolmson

Oct 20, 2014 at 08:17 PM

Gregg Montalbano @ Regional Orthopeadics did an excellent repair job on my collarbone, there were pieces all over the place. He's also extra awesome because he's an athlete and sponsored Charlie I's Floyd Bennett series last year:
http://www.regionalorthopedic.com/staff/gregory-montalbano-md
He has offices in Wall Street.

The fav of many people is Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS).

Oct 20, 2014 at 08:59 PM

@Dale, really happy to hear you're on the mend.

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2014/10/portland_police_investigate_bo.html

Oct 20, 2014 at 09:53 PM

In other news sh*t just got real in Portland...

Andrew Da Silva

Oct 21, 2014 at 02:18 AM

Glad to hear you're recovering dale.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI0lZVdSMUU#t=10

Oct 21, 2014 at 05:41 PM

Wow.

Myles

Oct 21, 2014 at 05:43 PM

Yeah that's not nice

mugwump

Oct 28, 2014 at 04:02 PM

For those folks living in Upper Manhattan or riding through it regularly. A meeting with the DoT to discuss solutions...

Are you concerned about traffic safety, congestion, or double parking?

Do you have ideas to make it easier to get around your neighborhood?

Come share with the NYC Department of Transportation!

Subject: Transportation issues in Washington Heights between 155th St and 182nd St

Date: Monday, November 3, 2014

Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Location: New York Presbyterian Hospital, 173 Fort Washington Avenue

Riverview Terrace at the Heart Conference Center

Enter at Millstein Family Heart Center (between 165th St and 168th St)

Contact: Josh Orzeck jorzeck@dot.nyc.gov 212-839-6218

Co-sponsored by: Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Council Member Mark Levine,

Borough President Gale Brewer, State Senator Adriano Espaillat,

Assemblyman Herman D. Farrell, and Community Board 12

Workshop Discussions:

Safety Mobility

Parking and Commercial Deliveries Quality of Life

mugwump

Oct 30, 2014 at 01:03 PM

Would this improve road safety at night?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWJELEw2hNw

Oct 30, 2014 at 01:41 PM

Well it certainly couldn't be WORSE...

Oct 30, 2014 at 02:21 PM

mugwump said:

Would this improve road safety at night?

Two issues with the laser lanes: 1) price (the ones I have seen are exorbitant) and 2) battery life (my experience with laser pointers is that you always need to have spare batteries at the podium)

And now my main gripe with lights: megawatt front lights aimed up into the eyes of oncoming cyclists are 1) useless for lighting the road and 2) dangerous for the oncoming cyclists who cannot see where they are going. Dimming the brights in automobiles is second nature, so why can't cyclists understand that this is a problem?

http://www.niterider.com/2015-commuter-led-bike-lights/sentinel-usb/

Oct 30, 2014 at 03:33 PM

I left my usb rechargeable lights on my bike this morning after a training ride. I realized that half-way to the office on my commuter. Newest advances in light technology? I'll be using a free flashing red flashlight app on my android phone that will sit in the mesh pocket of my backpack.

mugwump

Oct 30, 2014 at 05:43 PM

dstokes said:

mugwump said:

Would this improve road safety at night?

Two issues with the laser lanes: 1) price (the ones I have seen are exorbitant) and 2) battery life (my experience with laser pointers is that you always need to have spare batteries at the podium)

And now my main gripe with lights: megawatt front lights aimed up into the eyes of oncoming cyclists are 1) useless for lighting the road and 2) dangerous for the oncoming cyclists who cannot see where they are going. Dimming the brights in automobiles is second nature, so why can't cyclists understand that this is a problem?

Stokes,

$50. I think burn time could be up to 18 hours depending on mode.

Love the OT gripe. I think there's an answer. Most cyclists are concerned about not being noticed. A blinding light gets noticed. It doesn't work well on the West Side bike path because of two-way traffic, but it is a benefit most places when cyclists don't have to deal with oncoming bicycle traffic.

Bruce van-Schalkwyk said:

I left my usb rechargeable lights on my bike this morning after a training ride. I realized that half-way to the office on my commuter. Newest advances in light technology? I'll be using a free flashing red flashlight app on my android phone that will sit in the mesh pocket of my backpack.

Bruce,

What's the burn time on the app?

This light, and an increasing number of others, are USB rechargeable.

Oct 30, 2014 at 06:50 PM

This is the first time I forgot my lights, so I'll need to report back about the app and battery. I have an android app on my phone, and a separate app on my iPad mini. I'm a cross-technologist.

When I first got my phone, I turned everything off so the battery lasts quite some time, no checking email or gps, no wavy, dripping desktops, etc. I turn it on when I need it. We'll see.

It's 38 minutes home, give or take, and I'm assuming if my battery cuts out, I'll drop into a giant crevice in the road immediately.

Oct 30, 2014 at 09:34 PM

Check this out!

Complaint Number: # 1-1-1003333581

Dear David Stokes,

Thank you for contacting the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission. The TLC is tasked with regulating the taxicab and for hire vehicle industries. While we are diligent in carrying out this responsibility, we are grateful to the public for informing us of conduct by our licensees that is against our rules.

We have investigated your complaint and found that the driver in your case violated TLC rules. No hearing will be necessary as the driver has plead guilty to an appropriate charge and paid a penalty.

Again, we thank you for your cooperation and your responsible reporting of this incident. We hope your future interactions with TLC licensees will be more positive.

TLC would like to know about your experience filing a complaint with us.

Please fill out this online survey to let us know what you think: http://svy.mk/UMEecM.

Sincerely,

Heermatie Mahabir

New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission

Joaquin

Oct 30, 2014 at 09:36 PM

Dave, can you remind me of the underlying violation?

Oct 30, 2014 at 09:43 PM

Underlying violation:
Taxi driver tried to kill me while I was riding in traffic on Lafayette St.

The point is that you can complain to the TLC about taxi drivers and there is a system that sometimes works.

Joaquin

Oct 30, 2014 at 09:53 PM

Love it. Was just wondering what sorts of things prompt that kind of automatic response.

Oct 30, 2014 at 10:00 PM

Wow! Was there evidence?

neilx

Oct 30, 2014 at 10:05 PM

@Dstokes- I can't believe that. By which I mean, it's great. But it's so inconsistent with virtually every similar experience I've had in/with the City over the last 52 years that I'm of half a mind that it's some kind of prank response from the driver himself. Nice though.

eloy

Oct 30, 2014 at 10:13 PM

Regardless. KInda awesome.

Brendan Rigby

Oct 30, 2014 at 11:48 PM

That's fascinating. Did you give the TLC his plates or the driver ID number that they have (medallion #?)?

Oct 31, 2014 at 01:44 AM

OK, I guess I have to spell it out.

I had an altercation with a cab driver in August. I noted the number of the cab (displayed both on the license plate and on the top of the car). I got to work and googled TLC and then clicked on the complaint link. I filed the following report:

8/18/2014

8:45 am

Your Service Request Number is:

1-1-1003333581

I was riding my bike north on Lafayette St. between 4th St. and Astor

Pl. I was merging through traffic from left (bike lane) to right in

order to turn right onto Astor Pl. The taxi in question challenging me

for my position in the left hand lane of traffic, where I was moving at

speed behind a delivery truck. When I shouted out to attract his

attention, he began moving even more aggressively towards me. I then

accelerated to move ahead of him and into the right lane of traffic,

which would thus allow him to take his desired position in the left

lane. Instead, he accelerated sharply and into the right lane to prevent

my lane change and almost pushing me into the delivery truck, which at

this point was slowing as we approached the intersection. This appeared

to be a deliberately aggressive act with no other purpose than to

endager my life. I believe the driver should be reprimanded.

A few weeks later I get a phone call that I eventually return to discuss the incident with a case worker. She finally gets the idea and tells me that the case will be pursued with the driver and they will contact me if they need me to give further testimony (by telephone, though a few years ago I actually went down to TLC traffic court in person). Instead, I receive the message today that is quoted above. A bit of a surprise. But an affirmation of the idea that if you have a taxi medallion, you must adhere to a higher standard.