May 22, 2008
Kirk Janes, RIP
The name of the bicyclist killed yesterday has been released. He was Kirk Janes, founder of the American Flyer bike messenger service, and a well-known figure in the local bike messenger community. We like this quote from the Chronicle that describes the kind of guy he was:
Janes had broken his hip while riding on Second Street last year and could have gone on disability from the state. Instead, he quit Speedway Delivery last year, and, after a brief break to recover, started his own business."He could have gone on disability, but he decided it would not be the right thing, knowing he was not going to go back to Speedway. He passed up a lot of money, just on principle," said Ryan Akers, a friend and fellow messenger.
That about says it. Please keep this comment thread free of the usual bike vs. car nonsense. We'll repeat what we said in the previous thread: In the meantime, mourn the dead, be happy that you're still alive, and be calm and careful. This city can kill you in any number of ways; walking around in traffic while fuming about something said on the Internet would be a sad way to go. We did not know Kirk, but he and his loved ones will be in our thoughts today. Rest in peace.
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Rest in Peace, Kirk. From the reports it was quick end with very little or no suffering - and we can take some peace in that he died doing what he loved.
Personally, I never bike in this town without a helmut.
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i guess the chron should have gone full bore and said, he chose not to go down the path of so many deadbeats in this town, and passed up a chance to draw disability.
rest in peace kirk. you were the type we needed to keep around. so unfortunate.
Nice one, SFist Dan.
This was a true tragedy.
There was (is) a beautiful vigil on the steps of Alamo Square Park tonight. It was touching to see all the bikes lined up by the steps. This guy was loved.
More blood on the hands of Rob Anderson, because his frivolous law suit that makes biking even more dangerous in this city.
Thank you to who ever did the blog on Kirk Janes and thank you to the BCP IT department.
Kirk lived on the same floor as me for 5 years and he was a great guy. He was more then a great guy……he was kind, considerate, thoughtful and had a great sense of humor. Kirk loved life and enjoyed being around his friends as well as meeting new people. Kirk was not a shy person. Kirk loved the biking community and loved being a bike messenger. I think biking made him feel free. Kirk recently built a bike for his girlfriend because she did not have one. He was very proud of himself.
I will tell all of you that everyone in the apartment building is shocked that Kirk did not have on a HELMET that day because we never saw him leave the building on his bike without a HELMET.
I will miss Kirk he was a good friend, neighbor and a good person.
Joanne Alwine
his name was JAMES. KIRK JAMES. just had to set it straight.he was a sweet guy. always a little more reckless than i thought was good for him. big heart.