The Missouri Bicycle Federation has a wrap up of news, including video from KSHB-TV 41. Meanwhile, Mike Hendricks has a good column reinforcing the need for the Safe Streets law that MBF is advocating in Missouri.

Posted on Thu, Jul. 17, 2008
Verdict in cyclists’ deaths is a call to action
By MIKE HENDRICKS
The Kansas City Star

William K. [...]

After five hours of deliberation the jury has found William K. Johnson not guilty of manslaughter charges the deaths of Sierra and Larry Gaunt. It’s a stunning verdict in what many thought was a pretty clear case of reckless driving.
Many people will be shocked and upset at the verdict, but it’s important to remember that [...]

Update: The case has now gone to the jury. Johnson testified that the Gaunts swerved in front of him, despite evidence to the contrary.
The trial of William Johnson for the deaths of Larry and Sierra Gaunt is moving quickly.  The prosecution has already rested its case, and now it’s on to the defense.  It looks [...]

Lieutenant David Dillon of the Douglas County (KS) Sheriff’s Department was hit and killed this morning while bicycling near the town of Eudora.  There aren’t many details yet, but both Fox 4 and KSHB-TV 41 have reports.

A lot of people are concerned about the road rage incident that happened recently at Longview Lake, including some allegations that the police responded inappropriately.  Here is a quick update on the situation…
First, the person accused of harassing the cyclists has been charged with assault and has a court date at the end of July.  [...]

A trial date has been set for William K. Johnson, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of Larry and Sierra Gaunt last summer. Jury selection starts at 9:00 a.m. on June 30th, with the trail to follow that afternoon or the next morning. The trial will Jackson County Courthouse Annex in Independence, [...]

Several news outlets have reported  a bicyclist hit this morning at 119th and Mission Road in Leawood, KS. While the injuries are serious, it sounds like he will survive.  It also sounds like the motorist might have been at fault for making a left turn without yielding to oncoming traffic.
Johnson County Bike Club President Maggi [...]

Tonight over a hundred KC cyclists gathered to ride in silence to memorialize those killed or injured while riding. Chris Cooper’s mother gave a very moving speech, and Robert Osborn’s brother explained his family’s efforts to make the streets safer. 4th District Councilmembers Jan Marcason and Beth Gottstein also attended to show their support for [...]

There is some sad news on the eve Bike Week, with the first bicyclist fatality of 2008. This evening a four year-old boy was killed by a delivery van while bicycling in the parking lot of his apartment complex in Blue Springs. Law enforcement is treating the death as an accident. One report notes [...]

KMBC-9 reports that yesterday a bicyclist was hit on 87th Street at I-35 in Johnson County, KS.  There are few details, but this intersection is notoriusly challenging for bicyclists and pedestrians.  A lot of the problem is KDOT’s use of Single Point Urban Interchange - a design that moves a lot of cars very quickly, [...]