KC: Uneasy Riders

Kansas City's Pitch Weekly has an extensive article this week detailing bicyclists who have been injured or killed on the road in the Kansas City metro area, with little justice resulting from our justice system.

Each profile talks about the bicyclist, the incident, and the result. For instance:

Lorne Carroll

Age: 31

Stats: Carroll competes in a couple of mountain-bike races every year, but for the most part, he's a bike commuter. For the past three years, he has ridden from his home near West 39th Street to his job at the Kansas City Health Department at 24th Street and Troost. . . .

Legal action: Based on state law, Carroll knew he had the right to be in the left lane to make a turn like any other vehicle. According to the police report, Allee had a clear line of sight, and the collision was caused by the driver's "failure to yield" and "inattention." Even so, Carroll says, the cops seemed to take the crash lightly. "The police officer basically asked me if I wanted him to write a ticket or not, and I said, 'Well, yeah, I would think so.'" A subpoena was issued, and Allee showed up in court on October 1. He pleaded guilty and paid a $138 fine.