I belong to a forum for Beginner Triathletes and every so often a post comes up about a cyclist being killed while biking. And sometimes it’s ‘one of our own’ so to speak - someone from the forums and a fellow Triathlete in training. Sometimes its just incidents of a car getting too close, or someone getting clipped, or someone getting run off the road. But this week a fellow Triathlete got nailed in a hit and run and is in the hospital due hip surgery. This just after running the Boston Marathon and going for a training ride yesterday. Hopefully he’ll be okay.
Just recently this cyclist was hit and killed by a car: April 17th - 2006 “Bicyclist Killed In Hit-And-Run Along Loop 360”
I rarely bike on the street. Sometimes I just have to get out there and pedal but my path is short and its up a wide road up a hill. Sometimes I bike up and down a very busy street - Verdugo/Glendale Ave - and this is scary. Cars get really close even when I’m in a bike lane. And when that lane ends cards zip by with no regard to bikers safety. I’ve been in a car next to these cyclist so I know to give them space and I move over if I have to.
I’ve been hit by a car once - many many many years ago. I had no injuries and didn’t fall… I just got clipped. I was young and on my BMX bike when a lady turned right at a stop light in front of me. I hit her bumper and left a scratch and gave her the bird. She saw me… she looked into her rear view, saw me flick her off and sped away. BITCH!
After being on a bike for the past four months I’ve gotten a feel for other cyclyst and what they go through. I dread that one day I’ll be hit by a car which is why I try to do all my training at the Rose Bowl - and its not always safe there but at least others are there to witness and come to your aide.
This year I will be riding in the “Ride of Silence” in honor of ‘fallen’ riders who have been injured or killed. It is held at night as a slow group ride. Here is more info: www.rideofsilence.org
Date: May 17, 2006
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: At over 120 U.S. locations and eight other countries
If you’re interested find a “Ride of Silence” location where you live and show your support!
I’d appreciate it… as well as everyone else who rides a bike or knows someone that does.