Very Sad-Local rider down

[Trek420]

Ok, I for one will stop, you have a good point.

I was recently asked in my building to lead a half hour safe cycling training for folks there, I may still get to do it.

"But a half hour on what part? " I said.

"There's different stuff?" they said.

The precautions and stuff we all do without thinking is a long list "what do you want me to cover? Safely using brakes, in wet conditions? on turns? being visible? at night? at dusk? turning right? turning left? Descending (not a problem because those I work with would never go uphill and therefore...not down), maintenance?...

[mimitabby]

Ok, I for one will stop, you have a good point.

I was recently asked in my building to lead a half hour safe cycling training for folks there, I may still get to do it.

"But a half hour on what part? " I said.

"There's different stuff?" they said.
.

The cascade bike club has a bike safety class. They teach you how to avoid small objects in your path, the best way to stop quickly, and some other safe handling skills.
For example, if you really want to stop fast, push your butt as far back as you can because it creates more drag and weight on your rear wheel.
I took the class and enjoyed it.

[Trek420]

I forgot that; emergency stops, avoiding road hazzards...gotta do another hour of safety class, oh well.

Got me thinking, my neighbors two HS age kids bike to school, without helmets. I see them go across traffic each day briefly going the wrong way instead of turning left legaly...she's a nice gal and I'm debating do I talk to her about it? Probably should.

[Kathi]

But no matter how safe you are sometimes senseless things happen. In a rural community outside of Cincinnati yesterday the boyfriend of a woman I have known for a long time and another woman were killed by a drunk driver at 11:00 am.

My friend was in the back of the group, she was not feeling well and riding slower, otherwise, she would have been with Terry. The driver crossed the center line and hit the cyclists head on, they were 2nd and 3rd in the line. The woman's daughter was also there. After the cyclists were hit the guy ran into 2 cars.

This guy was driving without a license and had 6 prior convictions. The judge set bail at 1 million dollars!

This area has been frequented by bicyclists for many years. When I lived in Cincy I often rode there.

The couple was known by many of our friends both in the Cincinnati Cycle Club and the Cincinnati Ski Club.

All day we have been on the phone and e-mailing friends trying to make sense of this whole thing. Two people lost their lives because 1 person chose to take risks with his life and the lives of others.

Then to top it off, a relative of our neighbor across the street also lost a family member who was out walking with his 10 year old son. He was hit by a car!