Do you carry identification & emergency contact info with you when you ride?

[DeniseGoldberg]

I've always carried identification - usually my driver's license and my health insurance card - when I'm out on my bike. But until recently, I didn't carry emergency contact information. That almost backfired on me last May when I had a serious crash on my bike (http://denise2004crash.crazyguyonabike.com) on my way to work. Luckily (even though I have no memory of the day of or the day after my crash) I was able to give the emergency personnel the name and phone number of someone to contact. If I hadn't been conscious it could have been quite a while before my friends and family were notified.

I've recently fixed that problem by buying and wearing an id from www.roadid.com (http://www.roadid.com). Information on my id includes my name, emergency contact names (first name only) and phone numbers, the name of my health insurance company, health information like allergies/known conditions, and the name and phone number of my primary care provider. I certainly hope that I don't crash again and need this information, but if something happens the information will be on me. I actually bought 2 ids - one that can fasten to my cycling shoes with velcro, and one that can be worn around my neck - my preference if I'm out walking or hiking with sandals on my feet!

The reason I'm posting this is to encourage all of my fellow cyclists to carry emergency information with you whenever you're out wandering on your bike. You can decide what form that identification will take (I admit I tried carrying emergency contact info on a business card, but that didn't survive too well when I started sweating!) - I really like my Road ID, but I'm sure there are other options out there too. (And by the way, if you go with Road ID, it is possible to have information printed on both sides of the ID - which is how I managed to have both contact information and health information fit on a single ID!)

[pedalfaster]

I just request an extra card from my ins. co. (they are sweatproof plastic) and write the names and #s of my emergency contacts with Sharpies right on the card.

[spazzdog]

I have a printed info sheet in a waterproof see-through pouch in my little seat pack (with the tools) and I wear a tag from roadid.com

I'm also considering body art... a nice tattoo perhaps. Blood type, organ doner, marrow doner done in a nice script. Don't laugh... I like tats!

[JanT]

I have a small, thin coin pouch in which I carry my license, bank card, health insurance card, triple a card, and a little cash. Since I sometimes drive to the trails, or to the place I will ride on the road, I figure I have pretty much all I'll need. I just move the pouch back and forth between Camelbak and purse, so I don't have to keep pulling the cards. Fortunately, I've never had to use the emergency cards, but the bank card and cash have come in handy for quick stops at the convenience store. One time when I had a flat, my spare was defective and my patch kit glue had dried out. A fellow biker stopped and offered his spare, and I was glad to be able to give him a few bucks to thank him/pay him back.

[Trek420]

JanT sed "I have a small, thin coin pouch in which I carry my license, bank card, health insurance card, triple a card, and a little cash."

i keep my *expired* license in there so no worries if I forget to take it out.

I should also put contact info for my dog.

if I was hurt they'd know who I am, that I'm insured (don't want to end up at county medical) but I need to add a card that says "take care of my dog call 555-555-5555" with friend's numbers who I feel confident would make sure she's ok.

[DeniseGoldberg]

JanT -
That's about what I used to carry too - id, insurance card - but no emergency contact info. I'd encourage you to add contact name and phone numbers!

[maryellen]

I have a card with my name, etc., my insurance info, and my emergency contact info. I *always* carry the card in my jersey pocket and have another copy in my seat bag. It's part of a ritual my partner and I have when she sees me out when I go biking.

[CorsairMac]

I carry a small note that has emergency contact info - including someone here in town since my family is all from out of state. I also included both home and work #s for everyone just in case the accident happens during the week - during the day. I also carry my cell phone with preprogrammed numbers like "parents" "sister" "brother" etc instead of their names so if I'm ever out cold the EMTs can hopefully use the cell phone too. I don't carry Medical ID and that is a Great idea - especially here where the wrong hospital (read not-covered by my ins) could cost me a lot out-of-pocket. Just as an additional FYI - my parents also have my friends name and # here so they can reach someone locally as a "just in case".

[MightyMitre]

I've got a RoadID dogtag too! :)

I really like it and it's not going to fall out of my pocket, get sweaty or get crumpled up. I realised that I'd been going out riding without ANY id for about 2 years. It just didn't occur to me to take some. Luckily no harm ever came from it.

I've got the one with the female cyclist on it and a few of my friends have been quite impressed with them as they're quite distinctive.

I got one for my brother when he completed the Lanzarote Ironman in May, complete with his finishing time and the motto 'Anything is possible':)

[smurfalicious]

Hey! Look what I found in my Vicoden induced boredom! I was just checking out these groovy custom headset caps, and tada! ID built into your spacer. Might come in handy if your bike is stolen too. I mean, the average crackhead trading your bike for a bag isn't gonna bust out the hex wrenches to remove the spacers, right?

http://www.seastrom-mfg.com/purelycustom/Frame_Bicycle.htm

[Pedal Wench]

Originally posted by Trek420
JanT sed "I have a small, thin coin pouch in which I carry my license, bank card, health insurance card, triple a card, and a little cash."

i keep my *expired* license in there so no worries if I forget to take it out.

I should also put contact info for my dog.

if I was hurt they'd know who I am, that I'm insured (don't want to end up at county medical) but I need to add a card that says "take care of my dog call 555-555-5555" with friend's numbers who I feel confident would make sure she's ok.
I forgot about my dogs! That's a great idea! I live alone, don't really have close friends, my boyfriend lives 600 miles away, and my sister lives 800 miles the other way. I carry my insurance card with both of their numbers, but it would take them quite a while to get to me if I did get hurt, and they probably wouldn't think about the dogs. (Shoot, if I haven't thought of it yet, why would they???) I'm adding the number of my dog-sitter immediately! Thanks for reminding me! My pups thank you too!

[JanT]

The suggestion for contact persons/numbers is a good one. I think I'll add a small card to the pouch that says, in emergency contact...
I didn't add another precaution that I use: a hand-held ham radio. If my husband is awake at the time I ride, which is most of the time, the radios are on and we are tuned in to one another, just have to push a button to speak to each other. It's like a cross between a cell-phone and a walkie talkie, and allows him to monitor my rides and vicariously share the experience. So it's a safety precaution as well as a nice way to be together although we are apart.

[IronHorse213]

I wear dog tags with name, emergency contact info, blood type, drug allergies (NKDA - no known drug allergies).

I have friends who also keep info in bike pouch and I just don't think that's enough - I know a fellow who was riding out in rural PA, and woke up in hospital - he had hit something in the road and gone end-o into poision ivy, several yards from the bike. I suppose it could be possible to be in a situtation in which the bike was not with you (over an embankment?)

I encourage you all to have something on your body - RoadID tags are great, dog tags or other (tats - clever idea!). It would be possible to be separated from the bike and the info would be lost....

c