A bus camera captured dramatic video shows Wisconsin State Representative Fred Clark flying through a red light and hitting cyclist Richard Rideout.

Via Daniel Canfield and others.

I was stuck inside all weekend recovering from H1N1, so I spent some time creating the Bike Shorts URL shortening service for my use, but I’d be delighted if you used it also. Once I have a critical mass of links in the database you’ll see recent and top links listed over there too.

My main motivation for this is to have my own pre-shortened URLs for my blog posts. I’ve had the “Tweet Meme” button at the top of my posts for a while, but I always thought they were a little clunky. At the bottom of this post you’ll now see a tiny little Twitter button listed alongside the other social media buttons. Go ahead and try it if you want.

You can add this button with pre-shortened URLs to your own blog. The Javascript code you need to add looks like this:

   <script type="text/javascript" 
      src="http://cycl.me/tweetme.php?f=js&text=post title&url=http://example.com/your/blog/post/">
   </script>

Replace post title with the code for your blogging platform for the title of your post, and http://example.com/your/blog/post/ with the code for your permalink page URL. For Blogger.com, for example, add this code to your Template:

  <script type="text/javascript" 
    src="http://cycl.me/tweetme.php?f=js&text=<$BlogItemTitle$>&url=<$BlogItemPermalinkUrl$>">
  </script>

In WordPress, you can add this code to your theme:

  <script type="text/javascript" 
    src="http://cycl.me/tweetme.php?f=js&text=<$?php the_title() ;?>&url=<?php the_permalink() ;?>">
  </script>

…or could just use the WP Plugin that auto-tweets each post. Point to http://cycl.me/ in the settings and you should be ready to go.

Please let me know what you think of Bike Shorts and what kinds of features you’d like to see with it.

Huge props to Steve Vance for some technical pointers and the domain name suggestion.

I’ve been using Bruce’s “Messenger Mirror” for a couple of months now.

These compact and affordable mirrors have an unobtrusive, minimalist design that slide onto your eyeglass frame. They’re not nearly as clunky as some other mirrors.

I’m a long time user of mirrors. The small field of view takes some getting used to compared to the larger mirrors out there, but Messenger Mirrors are indeed usable.

I recommend mirrors for those who like to be helpful during group rides by yelling “Car back!” every time a vehicle approaches. Kidding.

I like mirrors because they enable me to check back quickly for merges, passing, left turns, and the occasional quick escape. I still do a shoulder check, but the mirror let’s me know when a possible gap opens up for my move.

The only real drawback: The thin wire stalk doesn’t lend itself well to easy adjustment — once you have the mirror where you like it, it’s a very good idea to keep it there.

Otherwise, the mirror works as advertised. I don’t find the small field of view a hindrance and it works adequately for me, and the price — $4.99 + 88 cents postage — can’t be beat.

MessengerMirror.com.

The conflict between hikers and mountain bikers on Marin County open space trails has escalated where booby traps are apparently being placed to clothesline mountain bikers. Video at KTVU – “Mountain Bikers, Hikers Vie For Space On Marin County Trails”. Props to Paul W.

A new law that took effect last Friday allows motorcyclists and bicyclists to run red lights after coming to a complete stop and waiting a reasonable amount of time. This law addresses the situation known to every motorcyclist and bicyclist — many traffic light sensors don’t detect the presence of motorcycles and bicycles.

Missouri DOT bureaucrats grumble about the supposed safety impact and some local police threaten to ticket riders anyway and “leave it up to the court to decide” if the cyclist waited a reasonable amount of time, but cyclists (motorized and pedal powered) around the state are happy that legislature has legalized what is common practice.

Cyclists must come to a complete stop at the red light. If, after a reasonable amount of time, the cyclist determines in his judgment that the signal is not going to change, he can proceed when it’s safe. The law only applies to lights that are triggered by vehicle sensors — if you’re at a timed light, you still must wait for the timer to expire.

More from Missouri Bicycle Federation. H/T to Tulsa Cycling Examiner for the heads up. And it’s a little amusing that in Champaign, Illinois, it’s the cyclist who triggers a malfunctioning light for motorists.

The Bike & Pedestrian lane on the Benicia-Martinez Bridge opened Saturday. Interstate Highway 680 crosses the Carquinez Strait over the Benicia-Martinez Bridge to connect Contra Costa and Solano counties.

“The opening of the pedestrian/bicycle path is an exciting milestone that signifies completion of the final improvements to both spans of the Benicia-Martinez Bridge,” explained Bijan Sartipi, Director of Caltrans District 4 and an MTC/BATA Commissioner. “We are thrilled that we now have safe and efficient travel across the Carquinez Strait for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.”

This pedestrian & bicycle lane closes a gap in the San Francisco Bay and Ridge Trails, linking to the Carquinez Strait Scenic Loop Trail. Bicyclists and pedestrians using this new path will be treated to stunning views of the Suisun Bay, as well as the Carquinez Bridge and the Mothball Fleet.

The 2.2 mile bidirectional pedestrian & bicycle lane was added as part of the $50 million seismic retrofit of this bridge.

Thank you to Curtis Corlew, who rode across the bridge with his wife on opening day.