“But will he serve time, or get a slap on the wrist like Mister Weller of Santa Monica?”
– Erik G. In response to "Breaking News: Christopher Thompson Found Guilty on All Charges"
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by Matthew Roth
California administrative rulemakers recently moved a step closer to reforming the section of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) that has compelled cities to focus undue attention on the age-old Automobile Level of Service (LOS) threshold for impacts of new projects and has led to the construction of excess off-street parking.
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Alexzandro
The entire area of Southern California needs better public transit. The buses in Southern California are always late and arriving to a destination can take at least an hour or more. The constant stop and go among all public bus transportation is awful. They do not even run 24/7. The main reasons for awful transit in Southern California, no the entire state of California, are the lobbyists efforts to keep the automobile industry "Health"
The Rails are extremely expensive. The turnpikes int he east cost are cheaper than the railsystem passengers' fare.
You also have the freedom of the car.
But the entire State is inferior with infrastrutures that cater to public transportation. What's worse about it that our good are transported by commercial bigrigs that have no adequate roads for safe transportation. For example: Highway 395 is an extremely dangerous route for commercial drivers and the only one to take for the eastern cities of California. That's not including the lifeline it represents for Northern Nevada until the intestate 80. When you go south from 395 and finish the 8% grade/2mile drop, commercial drivers have no brakes but the idiotic folks in Bishop thinks a cattle crossing at the bottom, but still low grade, of the 395 is a great idea! There isn't even emergency ramps for runaway trucks in the 395 Bishop til Nevada.
That's how inferior the roads in California are.
in response to LA, the Most Congested City in America, Holds the Key to Less Crowded Highways
Spokker
Metro route 430 goes to Orange County.
in response to Officials Celebrate Highway Widening. Tough Questions Remain Unasked.
Mad Park
Warren Buffet, the 21st century's Empire Builder.
in response to Buffett’s Bet on Burlington: What Does it Mean for Transport and Energy?
Erik G.
Spokker, in order to get to the OC to see what you suggest, (and make it back the same day) they'd have to take the racist and evil Metrolink with its completely lily-white patronage!
in response to Officials Celebrate Highway Widening. Tough Questions Remain Unasked.
Erik G.
Let us not forget that Warren and his friend Bill Gates, are the ultimate choo-choo-heads
in response to Buffett’s Bet on Burlington: What Does it Mean for Transport and Energy?
Spokker
The worst thing about this and the 405/605/22 widening is that freeways continue to be improved and widened while the bus network is slated to be cut to pieces.
People always talk about inequality on these sites, but let me tell you, freeway expansion plus bus service cuts is *really* unequal. I wish the BRU would come down to Orange County and ride the bus sometime. They don't know how good they have it. LA has rapid buses, bus transitways, subways and light rail. OC bus service is going back to 1975 levels. We are two years late on implementing rapid bus routes. It's despicable.
in response to Officials Celebrate Highway Widening. Tough Questions Remain Unasked.
Mathias Vanos
After a sufficient time in jail, his probation should require that he does all his transportation by bicycle
in response to Breaking News: Christopher Thompson Found Guilty on All Charges
Mathias Vanos
After spending a sufficient time in jail, his probation should include getting all his transportation by bicycle
in response to Breaking News: Christopher Thompson Found Guilty on All Charges
rhode bloch
here here!
whats incredible is the short sightedness of this attitude that a driver is being inconvenienced by a cyclist at all. ONE freeking trip to the Netherlands instantly clears up all doubts that the more people choose to commute by bicycle the LESS traffic jams are an issue. A recent trip to the Netherlands reaffirmed this fact. Downtown Amsterdam has streets filled with bicycle riders - sexy healthy ones at that - and not a peep of traffic jams.... better yet? in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of people moving from A to B one could hear people talking in the streets. You practically have to shout to be heard on the busiest streets in Los Angeles due to the noise pollution factor of so many cars. In other words, the quality of life is far greater in so many aspects when people use bicycles, mass transit, and simply walk to their destination rather than mill about in a traffic jam of giant loud road hogging automobiles.
Experience freedom. Ride a bicycle.
in response to With Thompson Behind Bars, What's Next for "Street Justice" in Los Angeles
Jose
I agree that some bikers are getting a little militant. There is a d-bag on Youtube under the name Socomcorky who at one time had videos posted where he would bait cars into altercations.
Car drivers should share the road with safety and bikers should share the road with courtesy.
Bikers need to obey laws just as much as cars, be courteous to one another and if you are holding a car up, let them pass because it is the neighborly thing to do.
Bicycles should have registration numbers on them so citizens can report reckless riders, that would make this small percentage of bike riders accountable for giving us a bad name.
in response to Breaking News: Christopher Thompson Found Guilty on All Charges
ramonchu
"What you're seeing in New York [diverse Brooklyn bridge bike/ped crossing], Chicago [great clip of people riding in the cold Chicago winter], Los Angeles [NOTHING! literally nothing, just a delay on the chicago clip], Washington DC [smart bike DC station]..."
LA has so far to go, we don't even have any streetsfilm-clip worthy facilities! Could you imagine them showing the LA river path with all the cars jammed right up next to it stuck in traffic on the 5! I wonder if Daryl even tried to throw in an LA clip, or just laughed it off...
We need some streetsfilmers in LA, put us on the (video)map
in response to Streetfilm: Earl Blumenauer Visits New York
Dominic
Keep in mind that a posted speed limit is the FASTEST you should be traveling. It is not necessarily the speed you should be traveling at, just the speed you should not exceed.
in response to Breaking News: Christopher Thompson Found Guilty on All Charges
Mike
I am glad MTA is finally cutting Breda loose. I DO think we ought to cut MTA a break. They are human after all, and we do make mistakes. I would just ask MTA not to commit the same mistake again! Keep building the rails! We need them badly!
in response to With AnsaldoBreda's Exclusive Contract Expired, What Is Next?
DJB
The really audacious thing is that some OCTA planners argue that the widening will actually reduce pollution. This is only true if you consider the extreme short run, as cars drive faster (closer to their most efficient speed) and ignore the long-run implications: more automobile-dependent development, and a return to slow traffic with more lanes. This profligate land consumption (for new suburbs, and their roads and parking) also results in a loss of biodiversity.
The other big point is that over 80% of this widening is being funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This is strong evidence that we still see the environment as separate from and subordinate to the economy. I sincerely HOPE we can CHANGE that outlook.
in response to Officials Celebrate Highway Widening. Tough Questions Remain Unasked.
danceralamode
Something else I wished they reminded motorists of: when you approach a stop sign, the law requires you to stop at the white line or stop sign, not 20 feet beyond it in the middle of the intersection. That is considered running the stop sign. (I know, back in my cager days I got a ticket for it, which I fought, since I did stop. But I digress.) I see motorists do this everyday, particularly when they approach the bike route from hell of 4th street (badly needs repaving). And I have to fear for my life and slam on my brakes when I have the right of way and they can't be bothered to stop at a stop sign.
in response to The Times Looks at the State of Cycling in Los Angeles
me2
Hippycrits of SM strike again
in response to Santa Monica Physical Mass
John Murphy
"Many parts of the world when you tell someone to "F" off or yell something at them, you can expect to get hit."
Fortunately we don't live in one of them. Or would that be your preference?
"I personally believe that he was trying to scare them."
So you consider this acceptable behavior at 30 MPH? A drunk driver who fails to kill someone is no better than a drunk driver who causes deaths - he's just luckier. That's why additional charges were levied in the incidents that didn't cause physical injury.
"Typically insurance companies will deny a claim of their own insured if they believe that their insured was intentional in their actions."
This depends on how much it costs them to deny the claim, and the size of the claim. Insurance Companies are businesses, not trial courts. If Peterson had died, the claim could run into the millions and you can bet that the Insurance company would be fighting. As it stands, even though the picture was horrific the total costs were probably minimal. I was hit by a driver and her insurance company just paid the bills and cut me a ten thousand dollar check for my trouble, without really even trying to investigate fault - in a case where I had no police report to back me up.
in response to Breaking News: Christopher Thompson Found Guilty on All Charges
Damien Newton
Nothing so sinister Numan, just an east coast transplant used to everything being an interstate because the state's are so much smaller. Thanks.
in response to Officials Celebrate Highway Widening. Tough Questions Remain Unasked.
Numan Parada
You know, I've driven on I-71 in its entirety... in Ohio and Kentucky. Driving the I-91 through Vermont is in my list of things-to-do. I have never heard of I-241, and it doesn't help that its parent interstate in Wisconsin technically doesn't exist yet.
Lesson of today: In California, Interstates, U.S. routes and plain state highways are all "state highways" per state law and are afforded the title of "Route". Federal agencies (particularly AASHTO) give them the additional title of "I-" or "U.S." The 91, 71 and 241 Freeways are not Interstates at all and should not be labeled as "I-"91, etc., since it would construe as misrepresentation of an existing highway. Their correct title is "Route" (e.g. "Route 91"). If this was an attempt to instill hyperbole in your piece by characterizing them as would-be Interstates, then you have been taken to task. (Route 71 isn't even a freeway when it meets the 91 freeway.)
Having said that, the widening effectively deflates the point of having HOT lanes right in the middle of it.
in response to Officials Celebrate Highway Widening. Tough Questions Remain Unasked.
Ace
Did the GPS records show that the bikers sped up or slowed down in the exchange of words? I don't know the answer.
Many parts of the world when you tell someone to "F" off or yell something at them, you can expect to get hit. Unfortuneately in this case it was with a car. (I don't know if it was intentional or not, but the jury said yes.) I personally believe that he was trying to scare them.
I know for a fact that residents of mandival canyon have a long historic problem and continue to have a problem with bikers. I don't know if the "victims" are included in this. I have heard that the police have been asked to monitor bikers in mandival canyon (before and after incident) for their "militant behavior". This was only partially admissable in court to my understanding.
It is my understanding that the civil suit was settled months ago. Insurance companies agreed that it was an ACCIDENT. I don't believe this was admissable in court. Typically insurance companies will deny a claim of their own insured if they believe that their insured was intentional in their actions.
One of state's witnesses just concocted a story about having a run in with Thompson on a date when Thompson was working or out of town. What is his punishment for perjury? Will the states attorney charge him when he was a witness for her? Doubt it.
The state had a recorded telephone conversation of one of the witnesses. Is it illegal to record a phone conversation without someone's approval? Yes, it is. Was it admissed as evidence? Yes, it was. Will anyone (I believe it was the police or state's attorney who made recording) be prosecuted for illegally taping a conversation? I doubt it.
in response to Breaking News: Christopher Thompson Found Guilty on All Charges
Jen Petersen
Damn right, Damien. thanks as always for piping in the missing voices of research-based reason in our region's sprawlingly insane mobility conceptions and planning.
in response to Officials Celebrate Highway Widening. Tough Questions Remain Unasked.
Alex
The truth Mr. Newton is that the "carrot" of the created jobs was an imaginary incentive. It didn't exist. AnsaldoBreda was never going to create 600+ jobs with one relatively small contract, as pointed out by Mr. Antonovich during the last board meeting by stating that if Siemens, which has several US contracts, does not employ over 600 people, how was AndsaldoBreda going to do it with just one? So the taxpayers did not really lose anything there.
Another truth is that AnsaldoBreda played the political card rather than the tried and true practice that a good product will sell itself. Fix the problems in good faith and the work will come on it's own. Shame on AnsaldoBreda's management for trying to sell such a pack of lies rather than building a working and successful relationship based on trust and shame of the MTA for buying it all. THAT'S where the taxpayers lost!
in response to With AnsaldoBreda's Exclusive Contract Expired, What Is Next?
Pants Yabbies
How is a bicycle travelling 27-28 mph on a 30 mph road a slow-moving vehicle?
Also, CVC 21654(a) reads "as far to the right as practicable". As Andy B stated, the middle of the lane is the safest place when travelling this fast.
Glen, I'm curious to know how much you ride or walk your city (or are you just trolling)?
I think that most cyclists take umbrage with being found at fault so much when we get shoved off of the road daily by several-thousand-pound vehicles on a daily basis. Granted I can be rude and aggressive at times, but curtailing that behavior only serves not to egg people into getting out of their cars looking for a fight. When I'm polite and assertive I still get buzzed and right-hooked constantly.
in response to Breaking News: Christopher Thompson Found Guilty on All Charges
John Murphy
At fault implies that Peterson caused his own injury. Name one thing to support your position...
in response to Breaking News: Christopher Thompson Found Guilty on All Charges
Glen Youngman
If you ever break your face in an accident, use this section of the law books to cover your wounds... quit being so smug... both sides were at fault... the only difference is that Thompson's act was a felony.
21654(a)
in response to Breaking News: Christopher Thompson Found Guilty on All Charges
Andy B from Jersey
Glenn!
Huh?!?! What?!?!
"Both sides got what they deserve... aggressive drivers, inconsiderate bicyclists... I am glad at the final outcome."
GPS evidence that the prosecutor brought forth (from the bicyclists GPS units) showed the cyclists' speed to be around 27 and 28mph right before the assault. As a veteran cyclist and LCI I will tell you that at that speed the proper place for the cyclists was in the middle of the road, taking the lane. It is even more important to take the lane on curvy road at speed because a cyclist needs the extra room to navigate the road safely.
I ask you, Glenn, would you ever consider passing a car or a motorcycle traveling 28 to 27mph on a curvy 35mph road in a no-passing zone? How does riding a bike require the overtaking driver to pass and for the cyclist to give way?
IT DOESN'T!
in response to Breaking News: Christopher Thompson Found Guilty on All Charges
Dana Gbbard
I'd like to reiterate what I said in the last thread on Breda.
Despite now facing daunting time pressures etc. Metro must somehow find time
amidst the whirl of activity surrounding the new rail car procurement to figure out what has gone wrong with the last two rail car procurements and applying those lessons as we go forward with this new procurement. We can't keep repeating mistakes plaguing these multi-million dollar expenditures whose results will operate on our rail lines for 30+ years
Leadership by at the Metro Board is desperately needed on this issue.
If this entails paying big bucks for a consultant with expertise, it would be money well spent if we can avoid a repeat of the P-2000 and P-2550 debacles.
http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/10/31/breaking-news-contract-talks-between-metro-ansaldobreda-breakdown-rail-car-contract-goes-to-bid/#comment-46031
in response to With AnsaldoBreda's Exclusive Contract Expired, What Is Next?
John Murphy
@Glen Youngman -
I'm curious as to what your evidence or opinion is that Peterson was disobeying the law, and how he was "selfish".
in response to Breaking News: Christopher Thompson Found Guilty on All Charges
Glen Youngman
Both sides got what they deserve... aggressive drivers, inconsiderate bicyclists... I am glad at the final outcome.
Peterson: Learn how to be courteous to cars and their drivers, obey the law. I hope you are reminded of your selfishness when you feel your face every day for the rest of your life.
Thompson: Being a vigilante is dangerous and I'm glad that you got the punishment you deserved. I hope you are reminded of your recklessness every day you spend in jail.
in response to Breaking News: Christopher Thompson Found Guilty on All Charges
Juan
this analysis is really well done, and I think it is spot on. It doesn't even consider the effects of climate change on accelerating the dilapidation of the fringe. No one really wants to talk about exurbs becoming the new inner ring suburbs but no one cares about them because no one passes through them.
in response to Is America Subsidizing Sprawl?
Richard Rupp
Good comments. One clarification re the left turn: as long as your front wheels have passed the FIRST limit line, you are considered to be in the intersection and you have the right of way. This means you may turn left, even after the light has changed. What IS illegal is for a driver who was behind the limit line when the light changed to "piggyback" the car in front of him and turn left.
in response to The Times Looks at the State of Cycling in Los Angeles
eric
five of the six charges were felonies, it would be safe to say he will be doing time in prison. The fact that the judge would not release him on bail prior to his being sentenced says a lot.
in response to Breaking News: Christopher Thompson Found Guilty on All Charges
Andy B from Jersey
Lets hope this is a turning point in traffic justice nationally. I don't know of another case like this anywhere in the US that has ever made it to a guilty verdict. Please correct me if I am wrong.
in response to Breaking News: Christopher Thompson Found Guilty on All Charges
Rich Wilson
Considering he wasn't even granted bail, I'm guessing the judge thinks Dr. T is dangerous enough to not be out driving.
in response to Breaking News: Christopher Thompson Found Guilty on All Charges
Jack
The big winner here is Antonovich who fought tooth and nail against Breda. he's the only one that got this right from the start, and should be applauded for telling everyone that Breda was full of BS. For katz and the mayor to call Breda unprofessional after they pimped Breda to the MTA is so disingenuous it's sad. Don't agree with Antonovich often but he was 100% right on this sad deal.
in response to Breaking News: Contract Talks Between Metro, AnsaldoBreda Break Off. Rail Car Contract Goes to Bid (Updated: 11/1 9:11 A.M.)
Erik G.
But will he serve time, or get a slap on the wrist like Mister Weller of Santa Monica?
in response to Breaking News: Christopher Thompson Found Guilty on All Charges
janulrich
I'm so happy this "Doctor" was found guilty today. He should go to prison for three years. Onea year for each lie he told while under oath.
Lie 1. "I pulled over to take pictures of the cyclist, not to harm them"
Lie 2. "I never said to the police officer that I wanted to teach them a lesson"
Lie 3. "It was somebody else that herrassed the two cyclists in another incedent in March of 2008" (Those cyclists identified the Docter from a lineup and by the make and model of his car)
In addition to that he should pay the two victims $100.000 each for their injufies now that he probably doesn't have to pay his horrible lawyer.
in response to Mandeville Canyon Road Rage Doctor Trial Set for 9/17
Dana
Finally! Was getting scared that a jury might not get it right. Pfew!
in response to Breaking News: Christopher Thompson Found Guilty on All Charges
Judy
IT'S OFFICIAL---GUILTY AS CHARGED!!
in response to Mandeville Canyon Driver Has Day in Court. Out in Time for Breakfast.
Joel
^^^ Totally agree ^^^ Who picked out AsaldoBreda for this anyway? Did they even ask any of the more experienced companies for quotes mentioned above?
in response to Breaking News: Contract Talks Between Metro, AnsaldoBreda Break Off. Rail Car Contract Goes to Bid (Updated: 11/1 9:11 A.M.)
Rob K.
@Brent. I gave this some thought last night and considered your comment. My father rides bikes with my stepmom. If this would have happened to my dad I would be sitting in the LA County jail on arson & murder charges. You're right, the doctor used the car as a weapon and getting the "bird" flipped at you does not justify the use of a deadly weapon.
If the doctor pulled over, got out and kicked the guy's ass I'd be cool with it - a fight, fair and square, but you are absolutely correct - the car being used as a weapon is outrageous and completely changes the dynamic of the situation. This could have been my father, a friend, my brother, or myself and thinking of it that way instantly makes me empathize with the rider, his loved ones and the fact he could have easily have been killed.
in response to Update on the Prosecution in the Road Rage Doctor Trial
j stevenson
The gap in negotiations was that AnsaldoBreda wanted a cap on penalties it paid if it was late again in delivering trains. Which leads me to believe they planned on being late again.
If AnsaldoBreda cannot deliver trains on time and within the weight limit (6000 lbs overweight, which meant the county had to spend money reinforcing overhead bridges) then they should step aside.
Canadian company Bombardier, German company Siemens and Japanese company Kawasaki Heavy Industries will all be more than willing to build trains on time within the weight limit.
Let's say ciao to AsaldoBreda.
in response to Breaking News: Contract Talks Between Metro, AnsaldoBreda Break Off. Rail Car Contract Goes to Bid (Updated: 11/1 9:11 A.M.)
maenad
it´s not david on the pic!!!
this is: http://www.uriasposten.net/pics/DavidJassy.jpg
in response to Swedish Rapper Claims He Beat and Ran Over Pianist in Self-Defense
David
I'm always amused, and outright astonished, that all of these "studies," "urban planning wish lists," and "sustainable ideologies," collide directly into the reality of America.
WE LOVE CARS. MOST PEOPLE WILL NEVER GIVE THEM UP, NO MATTER THE PHYSICAL, MENTAL, GASOLINE, FREEWAY AND STREET CONGESTION PRICES AND PROBLEMS THAT THEY ENCOUNTER AND SPEND ON THE ROAD.
I hate to say it, but the dream of urban, and other alternative based travel, is but a Utopian side-story.
The people, by and large, who use Mass Transit, don't own cars.
Although, sad it's true.
in response to More People, Less Driving: The Imperative of Curbing Sprawl
DJB
Considering how beyond broke the federal government is, it boggles my mind that it would consider offering grant money to states that pass common-sense laws to safeguard their citizens.
Take the stick approach. If a state fails to take distracted driving seriously, it shouldn't be getting federal transportation money. States can pay for the extra enforcement with fines on people who are endangering lives.
in response to To Limit Distracted Driving, Congress Leans Toward a Carrot-Stick Combo
Brent
@Rob K.:
The doctor and cyclists may both have behaved badly, but only the doctor behaved criminally, or at least allegedly so. So, yes, the doctor deserves the blame; his actions were beyond the pale.
As you mention, cars have a weight advantage. This advantage does not give their drivers the license to bully or intimidate; if anything, drivers should use their power with care and conscience.
You seem like a reasonable guy. I think it's really hard to understand the cyclist's perspective without spending some time on a bicycle. I might recommend taking a ride from, say, Santa Monica to Century City and back, just to get the flavor of the street. When you get passed a few times by that Crown Victoria with inches to spare, you may develop a different sense of what it means to share the road.
in response to Update on the Prosecution in the Road Rage Doctor Trial
Dana Gabbard
In re #67 -I don't quite understand why folks show up sometimes on this blog and wail that we longtime hands and our bare-knuckled posts somehow discourage the public about becoming involved with these issues. Long before the internet existed this was often how advocates, stakeholders etc. worked things out--back then via letters to the editor, community forums, etc. And if a few slightly hardball posts make you shiver and cry, then you would do us all a favor by not getting involved. Any involvement with political processes (and that is what transportation funding and policy issues are--political) calls for having a bit of a thick skin and willingness to be forthright about where you stand.
And maybe part of the problem why our problems have festered is many have taken Mr. Trammell's stance of decrying the situation but flinching from getting their hands dirty.
Personally I believe in doing heavy lifting, which is part of what my recent opinion piece on L.A. Observed was all about.
http://www.laobserved.com/visiting/2009/10/take_transit_seriously_la_obse.php
in response to What Was the Point of Yesterday's Half Hour Filibuster from Gloria Molina?
Dana Gabbard
"...Antonio can expedite these projects simply by programming highway money towards transit."
Ah, no he can't. The Mayor might be able to advocate same but he has no final direct control of how funds are spent. He only controls 4 votes on the metro Board, plus long range plans are drawn via complex processes involving SCAG, the feds, Air Resources Board etc. And the realpolitick is that to build consensus requires dealing with various dueling priorities, etc.
But then that is at a level of nuance that evades Mr. Damien Goodmon, despite his claims of superior political expertise.
in response to Villaraigosa Announces Coalition to Speed Up Measure R Transit Construction
Dana Gabbard
Interested -- I think under all the jargon it was a simple dollars and cents calculation by Breda. They had sweetened the deal with promises of a plant, fiscal guarantees, two free cars, etc. I think one of their bean counters finally added it all up and the company officials looked at what he had found and blinked. To make additional demands at the last minute to me reads that Breda just wanted an excuse to scuttle a deal they no longer wanted.
I agree with Damien Newton--this is beyond being beyond surreal.
And of course we continue to have the troubles of light rail procurement at Metro, the dubious legacies of the P-2000 and P-2550 cars, that we need someone to get to the bottom of. We can't keep repeating mistakes plaguing these multi-million dollar expenditures whose results will operate on our rail lines for 30+ years. As with TAP and the delays in the Eastside Line, where is the leadership at the Metro Board?
in response to Breaking News: Contract Talks Between Metro, AnsaldoBreda Break Off. Rail Car Contract Goes to Bid (Updated: 11/1 9:11 A.M.)
interested
But after reading all the text, I still do not clearly understand where the gap in negotiations was. Can anybody comment?
in response to Breaking News: Contract Talks Between Metro, AnsaldoBreda Break Off. Rail Car Contract Goes to Bid (Updated: 11/1 9:11 A.M.)