Ride Safe and Know What to Do in the Case of an Accident

15. November 2011 · Write a comment · Categories: cycling, injury

DSC_0028Yesterday, I really needed to get out on the bike for a few miles to decompress. I left the house around 12:25 and rode to the end of the B&A trail. The weather was perfect, and I mean perfect. It was about 74F when I left the house and I was able to ride in short sleeves. There are going to be few days like this in the coming months.

Even in the middle of the day, the sun is low enough this time of year for everything to be cast in beautiful soft light. The leaves on the trees are still golden, orange and in some places red here in Severna Park. What more could I ask for?

I got to the end of the trail and turned around quickly to head home. (It was the middle of the work day and I did have some business that needed some attention.) As I peddled home, I marveled at the number of people who were out on the trail. The warm weather brought more than a few people out and I passed all kinds of cyclists — folks in spandex, folks not in spandex, folks on high-end bikes, commuters and hybrids, old skool schwins, and even maybe a huffy with a rusty chain. In my view of the world, all these folks are welcome on the trail.

As I neared the bridge over Round Bay road, I noticed someone riding ahead of me in jeans and a button down shirt on an older “ten-speed” style bike. As I moved over to the left, I was a good 75 yards behind the rider. Suddenly, he went down on the edge of the trail. He was separated from his bike, and he was under the split rail fence that borders the trail and the steep hill to the right. Instinctively I put on my breaks.

When I got to him, Paul appeared to be having a seizure. As he was coming to, I was dialing 911. My next call was to his wife, where I left voicemail. I kept asked him not to move and got some more information including his age for the dispatcher. Within 20 minutes the Ambulance had shown up and the medics were taking care of him. I stayed on the scene in case I could offer any details about his condition or the events to the medics. As they took him away, I was relieved to know that he was in good hands.

Today, I got a call from Paul’s wife thanking me for my efforts and help. She told me that he had suffered a broken collar-bone, and a few broken ribs, as well as a concussion. It could have been a lot worse.

Just the other day, there was a discussion on a listserv for the local peloton about what to do in the case of an accident. I was glad to have read that list of items. I’m including (blatantly stealing) them here, for reference.

  1. To prevent secondary injury, assess traffic, assign someone to ensure cars/trucks get around everyone in the group.
  2. Get all the people and bikes out of the way. Leave lights flashing.
  3. Resist the urge to help an injured rider get up. Leave him there until the fog has cleared and he’s ready.
  4. Look for injuries and decide quickly if it’s necessary to call 911 or a spouse/SO.
  5. Know the signs of a concussion, ask questions, inspect the helmet.
  6. Don’t let the injured convince you they are fine.
  7. Others not responsible for watching traffic should check the bike (ensure it’s ride-able) and collect stuff that fell off.
  8. Watch them closely for the next several miles, especially if riding in traffic.
  9. If you make the call to a friend or spouse, be careful what you say. Not being on scene, they often assume the worst.

Bum Left Hand

24. November 2009 · 1 comment · Categories: daily life, frustration, health, injury, irritants, self, struggles

I sliced through the tip of my left index finger Saturday night. Right through the nail. Spent some time with our medical community as a result. It’s really slowed me down. I’ve got a lot going round in my head on the following topics – be on the look out for some more substantial posts as soon as I can type without doing this hunting and pecking with my left hand.

  • mindfulness
  • kindness
  • compassion
  • consumption
  • limits to growth

Open Letter to Mayor Dixon

11. August 2009 · 3 comments · Categories: Baltimore, cycling, daily life, death, good things, hope, injury, karma, maryland, struggles, television, thoughts, tragedy

To: mayor@baltimorecity.gov

Mayor Dixon,

I would like to thank you for your comments to WJZ regarding the Baltimore City Department of Transportation’s stated intentions of removing the city’s first Ghost Bike. I was glad to see you come out in support of the Ghost Bike memorial that was put in place on Sunday night by many of the community’s local cyclists.

As you know, the hit and run accident resulting in Mr. Yates’ death on August 4th 2009 has galvanized the cycling community statewide. While I am no longer a resident of Baltimore City, I was born in the city and have lived in and around the city my entire life. I have seen a great transform over the last 30 years as Baltimore has become a cleaner, safer, more family oriented city. I consider Baltimore my home town, as do so many Marylanders. I am writing to let you know that your leadership will help to influence attitudes about cycling across the state.

Every cyclist knows that there are inherent risks to riding on the road, and we accept those risks. Many cyclists do their best to ride in a manner that is both safe for themselves and for the others on the road. Still, according to the State Highway Administrations website seven cyclists die on the roads of Maryland annually. In addition over 650 cyclists are severely injured in accidents. These statistics are highly disturbing in large part because many of these accidents are preventable.

It is my opinion that the average motorist is not as aware of cyclists as they should be, as evidenced by comments posted on the news articles on baltimoresun.com. The truth is that Maryland law treats bicycles as any other vehicle. With a few exceptions, bicycles are allow on all public roads in the state by law. In addition it is incumbent upon cyclist to follow all traffic laws while riding on the road.

Our state highways are littered with roadside memorials put there by families and friends in remembrance of loved ones who died in motor vehicle crashes. From what I can tell, The State Highway Administration makes no effort to remove these memorials. The Ghost Bike project is intended to raise public awareness of the fact that a living and breathing person died while riding a bike in a manner similar to these roadside memorials.

I am respectfully requesting that you continue to give your full support to the cycling community by ensuring that the Department of Transportation does not remove the Ghost Bike memorial that was put in place on Sunday. Thank you for your continued support of the cycling community.

–

Best Regards

Damien <surname removed>

Great Morning for a Ride – Spoiled by Getting Online

07. August 2009 · 1 comment · Categories: cultural failure, culture, cycling, daily life, death, disgust, exercise, frowns, frustration, gratitude, health, incongruities, injury, irritants, maryland, media, mortality, smiles, struggles, thoughts, weather

Last night, before I went to bed, I checked the outside temperature – it was 69 F so I turned off the AC and opened the windows.  I woke up cold to the sound of my neighbor’s dog eating breakfast and the birds.  Good morning for a ride I thought.

I left the house at about 7:10 AM and it was about 60F (Weird weather for August in MD).  Not quite as cold as my ride two years ago but still a bit brisk as I got going.  No worries though, I soon worked up enough body heat to get comfortable.

I rode down to the end of the B&A trail, just north of US50 and took a break.  Spoke with a really nice older gentleman with what sounded like an Irish accent.  We both got back on the bikes at the same time, but of course, he smoked me as he pulled away.  No worries.

A few short minutes later, I passed another cyclist going in the other direction who seemed to know me, but I was not sure who it was.  I kept riding for a few more miles and suddenly there was a familiar voice next to me.  It was my neighbor who does triathlons.

We rode about 2 miles together making small talk about vacations, the neighborhood, and bikes.  One topic that did come up was wrecks.  He said he saw a woman get hit a few weeks ago at the intersection of the trail and McKinsey Road.  It sounded really bad.

I’ve had a few wrecks in my life, fortunately none involving a car.  They are never good.

So, I sit down at the computer this morning and find Johnny’s latest comment about a memorial for a cyclist who was hit by a truck in Baltimore.  Coverage is nicely compiled here.  The responses that are on the websites of the Sun are absolutely unacceptable.  The attitudes of many of the people toward this man’s untimely death seem to vary widely, but the most prevalent on is that it was his fault cause he shouldn’t be on the road.

Well, that just ticks me off.  Maryland law indicates that cyclists have the same rights to the road (and the same responsibilities in terms of obeying traffic signals and signalling their intentions).

I’m trying to get back to the good place where I was before I turned on the computer.  But it’s hard when I see people publicly and callously dismiss the death of someone who was simply riding his bike.

Another 20 down

05. August 2009 · Write a comment · Categories: cycling, daily life, entertainment, exercise, family, frustration, good things, injury, karma, smiles, thoughts

Last year (2008), I started cycling in the spring and set a goal for myself of 500 miles to a new bike.  I got about 126 miles into the goal and my knees were really bugging me.  I stopped riding.

Last spring I started going to the gym and after a minor setback, I got back to it in June.  I started riding my bike again on July 18th.  After a few rides I asked Mrs. TKD what the goal was to the new bike.  She said 1000 miles.

Well, I’ve got 850 miles to go after today.  And I really want to get there this time.

I’m riding my Specialized RockHopper with a suspension fork and 1.9 slicks.  Today I was cruising through a neighborhood near the Severn river and having a great time going down a hill – I’d forgotten how HUGE the uphill was.  I got totally crushed by this hill.  It’s got to be like 125 foot change in elevation in a quarter mile.  As I was pumping up the hill, I could feel all my power transferring to the suspension fork as I bobbed up and down.

But, on the bright side, only 850 more miles (mostly flat I’m thinking) until I’ve earned the right to buy a new bike…

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