Category: Bike Law Michigan
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More Tragedy in Michigan: Please Help.
Post-Kalamazoo, things looked up for Michigan cyclists, but this week saw the death of one cycling leader and serious injuries to another. On June 7, 2016, Charles Pickett, Jr., while under the influence of an unidentified controlled substance, drove his pickup truck into a group of cyclists in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In doing so, he killed 5…
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Update On The Kalamazoo Cycling Tragedy
On June 22, 2016, the driver who ran down and killed five Kalamazoo cyclists and injured four others was officially brought into a Kalamazoo courtroom and charged with five counts of second-degree murder and four counts of reckless driving causing serious impairment. At that court proceeding, it was also revealed that the driver, 50-year-old Charles Pickett Jr.,…
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The Tragedy In Kalamazoo
Since early this morning, my phone has been blowing up with calls, text messages, and e-mails from cyclists concerned, outraged, and simply wanting more information about the recent tragedy in Kalamazoo. It’s hard for me to think about this tragic collision, but at the same time, it is impossible to escape. Here is just one…
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Cyclist Obstructing Traffic? Nope – Roll the Videotape!
A Michigan State Trooper incorrectly told a bicyclist he had to ride single file on the road’s shoulder. With help from a member of the Bike Law network and the trooper’s own dash cam video the cyclist had the ticket dismissed. When a Michigan bicyclist got a ticket in 2015 for impeding traffic, he could…
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Lessons from Crashing in a Bike Race
“There are two types of bicycle riders, those who have crashed and those who will crash.” I recall being told this when I first began cycling and time has proven it to be true. In my case, the crashes have been numerous. As my dad has pointed out, I have a need for doing everything…
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Detroit Bike City
A few years ago, I read a blog about bicycle laws written by a Detroit personal injury lawyer. It was clear the writer was a good attorney who understood the law, but not a person who spent much time on a bicycle. In the blog, the lawyer stated that Detroit was not a place where…
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Teamwork on the bike and on a case
Teamwork is the fuel that spins the cyclist’s wheels ever faster. The peloton will always be faster than a single rider. A break with numbers is more likely to succeed than a solo effort. And an individual time trial will never be as fast as a team time trial with each teammate contributing an equal…
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Detroit Bikes: made in the USA
It is common knowledge that most bicycles are made in Taiwan or China these days. However, the craft of making bikes has seen a rebirth in Detroit. In the last several years, a number of small frame builders have opened their doors in Detroit, including Motorless City Bicycle Co., Detroit Bicycle Company, Shinola, and 313 Bicycle Works. These…
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Flying With a Bike: A Way Around Excessive Fees
Flying these days, with or without a bicycle, is a frustrating endeavor. Along with all the traditional hassles and stressors of flying, there is a new trend of hidden or additional fees – $25 to check a bag, $35 to check a second bag, $11 for an extra six inches of leg room, etc…. Some…
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Insurance Advice for Michigan Cyclists
Bike Law Bryan explains the importance of Underinsured Motorist Coverage and why having the right car insurance may mean the right bicyclist insurance. Bicycle lawyers are frequently asked for advice about the bicycle insurance coverages cyclists should consider. The answer to this question is complicated and usually requires an analysis of a cyclist’s unique circumstances and…
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Bike Law Cycling Team on the podium!
In Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Bike Law CX team participated in the Tailwind Veterans Memorial Park Cyclocross Race. Bike Law teammates Amy Meldrum and Wade Burch rode their way to the podium with Amy taking the top spot in the Women’s Category 3-4 race and Wade riding to 2nd place in a very fast and talented Masters…
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It’s Official: Bicycle Safety Now Part Of Michigan Driver’s Education
The Signing of the Nathan Bower Act is a momentous occasion for Michigan Bicycle Law. Yesterday (10/15), Governor Rick Snyder signed Public Act 317, the Nathan Bower Act, in Lansing, Michigan. It is now mandated that in addition to the standard driver’s education curriculum currently taught to future Michigan drivers, information about motorcycle and bicycle…
