[Rec_bike] Rider Down! Be Careful Out there!!!

[Will Oren]

Sound advice!!! 

Get well soon Ken. 



From: "Arne Freyberger" <freyberg at jlab.org> 
To: "Chris Slominski" <cjs at jlab.org>, "Christopher Gould" <gould at jlab.org>, "Clyde Mounts" <mounts at jlab.org>, "David Douglas" <douglas at jlab.org>, "Kenneth Law" <law at jlab.org>, "Marcy Stutzman" <marcy at jlab.org>, "Michael Merz" <mmerz at jlab.org>, "oren" <oren at jlab.org>, "Krister Bruhwel" <bruhwel at jlab.org>, "Isadoro Carlino" <carlino at jlab.org>, "rec bike" <rec_bike at jlab.org> 
Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2017 1:13:56 PM 
Subject: Rider Down! Be Careful Out there!!! 

Fellow ACCC'ers, bike commuters and rec_bikers: 

Early this morning one of our cohorts, the consistency leader in fact, was taken down by an automobile. After a thorough examination by medical professionals at Riverside he has been released with abrasions, bruises and pain meds. Please join me in wishing Ken a speedy recovery!!! 

It is good time to note that while the weather this time of year is great for cycling, our presence on the road is not always recognized by the motorist we share the road with. In addition, there is the reduced daylight hours that have many of us riding in the early morning dark and twilight. Last week, I had a near miss with an 18 wheeler that barrelled through a red-light at 6:15am, probably thinking there was no crossing traffic at this early hour in the morning. Or more likely, the driver just wasn't thinking. 

Remember this is a volunteer activity. If you do not feel safe commuting by bike then do not do it!! If your family units/loved ones do not feel comfortable with you commuting by bike, listen to them and don't do it!! Periodically drive your route and ask yourself, what would you do as a driver if there was a cyclists on this road at this time. If the answer bothers you, find a different route! Or don't commute by bike. 

Make sure you have fresh batteries in your flashing lights, wear reflective clothing, ride like your life depends on it, because it does! 

Commuting to work by bicycle has risks associated with it, it is up to you to minimize the risks that you can. In doing so I've commuting to work by bicycle for over 30 years with minimal altercations with motorists. It can be done safely, although the near miss last week and Ken's bad luck this morning reminds me that the risk is not zero. 

Keep the wheels rotating and down! 
Arne 
-- 
Arne Freyberger
Director of Accelerator Operations
Jefferson Lab           Office: (757) 269-6289
12000 Jefferson Avenue    Cell: (757) 876-6289
Newport News, VA 23606   Email: freyberg at jlab.org 

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