City Council unanimously approved the free-bike program last night after learning that Dave Matthews Band was providing the $4,500 needed to get the program started. City Director of Strategic Planning Satyendra Huja, who is working on the program, said that they made the donation because they liked similar programs that they’d seen while on tour in Europe. Though it was likely that the city would have funded the program, this private donation prevents makes that public funding unnecessary. The story is in today’s Progress.
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
Sideblog
Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on
foursix and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
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Archive for Sideblog »
So if I hurt myself on these bikes, do I sue the city or DMB? Will helmets be provided with the bikes? Or am I expected to wander around with one at all times?
You don’t sue anyone, you asshole. You just pick your broke ass up and walk to the free clinic. Or catch the trolley.
Do you sue friend when you crash his car and get hurt after he lets you borrow it?
Now that’s funny.
Unfortunately, that’s not necessarily a rhetorical question these days. :)
Unfortunately I think the helmet issue is a serious one. Free bikes sound great, but I always worry when I see people riding bikes without helmets – it is dangerous. Maybe there is a solution, any bright ideas out there?
Actually, this is a valid question. Not regarding whom to sue, but every bike safety program I’m aware of strongly encourages wearing helmets. I would imagine the city (either Police or Parks & Rec) has funded similar programs. If they don’t provide helmets, are they disregarding their own advice?
Oh, the complexity of such a simple idea!
Anyone who has been in a bike accident knows how important a helmet is. Maybe those people you see riding around without helmets think the concrete will affect their head in a positive way. Or maybe they’re just advocating foam rubber roads.
My parents wouldn’t get me a helmet as a kid, because they were too expensive. They found out that a CAT scan cost a lot more than a helmet. I think I missed about a month of school, too, IIRC.
Anyhow, I think that the city’s program is not related to the need for helmets. People can bring their own helmets. When biking at night, you’re legally required to have a headlight and a blinky red light on your butt. The city shouldn’t have to provide those, either. I’m hoping that if we all think non-litigous thoughts, this may just go well. :)
Believe me, if the McIntire Skate Park can run OK, I think we’re OK with the bicycles.
no kidding, this guy or (girl) should not shoot off his mouth, just be thankful that the DMB is kind enough to assist in such a good program…the people riding these bikes should know that when you ride a bike you might fall off, and it is your own damn fault if you do…if anyone decides to sue DMB or the city for it, then they have a real problem