Systemic Rachel sent me a link to this article on the local DC blog Greater Greater Washington, which details the story of a man named Zach who, while cycling, wound up in an accident with a car. For those of us that commute by bike that is always a big fear. I know I have been in three cycling accidents throughout my five years of commuting to work that way, but luckily nothing as serious as the one mentioned here.

Before you click the link, know that it isn’t an article about how gruesome the accident was or how wrong the driver was. In fact it’s the story of how Zach attempted to get his insurance to cover the accident, how the accident was reported, and how lucky he was that it was caught on camera.

During the test, Officer Carter entered the room. He asked me to sign a ticket for running a red light. I asked him to take a look at footage since I was certain I hadn’t. He wasn’t interested and asked me to sign the ticket and admit fault. I didn’t. He left.

That’s just the beginning of the story. This is a cautionary tale for all the cyclists that read this site to obey traffic rules whenever possible, know your rights as a cyclist forwards and backwards, stand your ground when you know you’re right, and of course be safe out there.

Give it a read, and feel free to come back and post your thoughts. I’ll be waiting.

“It must have been your fault. C’mon. You are a biker.” (via Greater Greater Washington)

Systemic J. Gough sent word of this scary jet-powered death bike, a great followup to the Tallest and Fastest Bike Stories I posted back in April. Also this comic about speeding.

Watching him ride on a flat tire is scary, I almost died that way once (though there were no jets involved).

Doctors and bike mechanics, always telling you you’re not doing it right.

Is it just me? I fill my tires once a week and got scolded by the mechanic for not doing it 2-3 times a week. In the past I’ve been scolded for having my bike in the rain (I was riding it at the time), locking it up outside (I was inside at the time), and, my personal favorite, riding on bumpy roads. I didn’t make the roads, mechanic dude. I just ride them.

This ever happen to you?

An invisible bike helmet is in the works.

An interesting looking bicycle lamp that projects grids to show terrain. (Very Tron.)

Watch out for that guy. We haven’t seen the bike sniper in a while, but I thought it was time for a comeback.

In our own way, we all need to be bike snipers. You have to be a little on the offense on your bike, assertive enough to not get run over. This guy is pushing those limits, but there’s an element of that in every cyclist on the road. Some wear it on their sleeve more than others.

Vote!

It’s also the final day to vote for “Best/Worst File Name” on Thursday’s comic. Vote, won’t you?

Buycycling is how I never have more than a $60 grocery bill. It’s also why I never have soda, chips, or really much food at all in my apartment.

Any of you guys buycyclists?

(Thanks to Marty and Ben for assists with the writing on this one.)

Think Geek + Super Art Fight Tomorrow

Yep! Tomorrow! We’re doing a show with ThinkGeek in Vienna, VA!

• Details on SuperArtFight.com about the show are here »
• Buy tickets here »
• RSVP on Facebook here »

Facebook

I made a Facebook page for The System. Still figuring out what to put there, but if nothing else if you show a little love it’s greatly appreciated.

You can find the Facebook page here »

Two pieces of biking news this week. First from Systemic J. Gough:

I remember reading one of your comics about you going 35 MPH down hill on one of your bikes…

http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/excursions/post/mountain-biker-rockets-down-ski-slope-at-135-mph/

maybe next time <3

Also here’s a guy on a “stoopid tall” tall bike (frames on frames on frames!), which puts him about 12 feet off the ground (built by Richie Trimble). There’s some ridiculous moments in the video, including barely fitting under and overpass and of course when the bike gives way to reality and the dude has to climb down. More on the bike, the rider, and their story here »

Oh man, a lot of things, you guys!

Hey Pennsylvania Peeps

This weekend I’ll be a guest at the Comic Geek Speak Super Show in Reading, PA. If ONE of you just comes by and says hey that would be amazing. Details here »

Super Art Fight + ThinkGeek

We’re doing a Super Art Fight show with the gang at ThinkGeek on May 4th (“May The Fourth”, the geekiest day of the year) at Jammin Java in Vienna, VA. It’s gonna be a dope-ass motha of a show!

If you’ve never been to a Super Art Fight (seriously where have you been?) it’s a competitive, improvised, live action, geeky art competition. If that doesn’t have your attention, why are you reading this?

TICKETS AND MORE DETAILS HERE »

Super Art Fight: The Book

We are doing one of them Kickstarter things. Specifically, it’s a book all about Super Art Fight called SUPER ART FIGHT: “THE GREATEST LIVE ART COMPILATION IN THE KNOWN UNIVERSE. It will feature:

• Comics
• A collection of our poster art
• original illustrations by our roster
• collaborative “MEGA TOPIC” illustrations
• Wheel of Death illustrations
• Anecdotes, Show notes and so much more

Not only is it gonna be a fun book, but there’s fun prizes like custom original artwork from our team, exclusive t-shirts, and all of it goes to help make Super Art Fight superer.

A pseudo-followup in my ongoing series to “mathify” things:

• Beards turn laziness into awesomeness.
• My body is a filter. Coffee goes in and sarcasm comes out.
• My computer helps me the further I am from it.

If you like funny songs about bikes (and already listen to Motherfucking Bike as your anthem) here’s the alternative, “Performance” by Robin Moore.

Thanks to Systemic @innerspaeth for sending it my way!

PUTTING OUT THE CALL. I’m back to posting fun shit more of the time, so send it over to systemcomic@gmail.com. If you think it belongs on this site (general awesomeness, hilarity, design, bikes, coffee, etc.), send it over. No guarantees it’ll make the cut but hey, give it a shot!