Friends don’t let friends text and drive.

Who’s to blame for bike crashes? Motorists blame cyclists, and vice versa — or at least the medie portrays it that way.

If we have to take the “controversy” angle, it’s nice to see this levelheaded article from the Virginian Pilot, along with a Google Map showing bike crashes in Hampton Roads, 2008-2012.

Watch the video, and leave a comment below.

The VBF held its annual meeting on September 16 at REI in Richmond. Several individuals addressed the group including heartfelt comments from Patty Kruszewski, mother of cyclist Lanie Kruszewski who was killed by a hit-and-run driver on July 29.

Jennifer Wampler, State Trail Cooridnator, from the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Jennifer updated VBF on the Virginia Outdoor Plan which is now being finalized.  One key finding in the Plan is the increased demand for more trails and greenways despite the fact that funding for these facilites fails to keep pace.

Stephanie Weber,  Regional Network Manager for the Safe Routes to School Partnership also gave an update on the status of the program and how Map-21, the recently passed Federal transportation bill, can be utilized for these activities.

The Board also amended to bylaws to expand the number of Board members from 15 to 20. In a related move, they postponed election of the new Board until the next plenary meeting in November.