Please Do Not Run Me Over

[blueskies]

Austin Miller was a 15 year old student who commuted to his school by bicycle. On Feb. 11th, he was tragically killed when he was run over (literally) by a bus, while riding his bike home from school.

Bikeportland.org just reprinted a copy of an essay that Austin wrote last year entitled "Please Don't Run Me Over."

A year before a tragic fate befell Austin Miller, the 15 year-old Beaverton student wrote an opinion article on bike safety for his school newspaper titled, “Please Do Not Run Me Over.”

Writing under the pseudonym “Charlie Elsewhere”, the article (full text below) was published in The Savant, the school newspaper at the Art and Communication Magnet Academy in Beaverton, where Miller was a sophomore.

Reading through it, I had mixed emotions. As a father, I found it chilling and immensely sad. As a bike advocate, I found it frustrating. I also had no idea that Austin was so well-versed in bike advocacy.

He was aware that his daily commute put in harm’s way, but he was mature about it beyond his years.

You can read Austin's words here:

http://bikeportland.org/2008/02/25/a...t-run-me-over/

We do all need to look out for each other, drivers and cyclists both.

This was a preventable tragedy. The spot where Austin was killed is just a few miles from my home. I talked to a friend several times last summer about that stretch of road (Murray Rd in Beaverton), and how dangerous that section seemed. I didn't, however, step in to advocacy and add my voice to those who are working for safe bikeable routes in the greater Portland area. I complained that the suburb of Beaverton isn't as active as the city of Portland in improving bicycling infrastructure, but I didn't show up at any meetings to be a voice for change. Time for me to stand up.

Blueskies

[rij73]

Ugh... that's just sad. Poor kid and his family.

[Melalvai]

I hope others also find the inspiration from your story to get involved in cycling advocacy.