Saturday 28 May 2011

Stay Safe

The cry of cyclists to each other following another cycling fatality on the roads is Stay Safe.  And we try.  An erstwhile work colleague of mine died on Thursday while riding home with a friend on their bikes.  The jungle drums have it that he was hit from behind by a car with a teenage driver. 

Friday was a day in shock for the office.  Rob was my age and leaves a wife and child. He was one of nature's good guys, time for everyone.  He was a very experienced cyclist, one that taught others how to do it safely and well, and definitely not on for a testosterone rush.  The rumour has it the car didn't see him.  Rob was over 6 foot and did not run to leanness.  Hard to miss in the office, why so hard to miss on the road.

It's frightening to less skilful riders like myself to realise that someone who would be reasonably described as one of the safest guys on the road could die, just like that, on the scene.  It would presumably take some shunt to kill a giant like Rob on the spot.  He always seemed solid.

If I hadn't cycled to work Friday when the news broke and therefore had limited choices about getting on the bike home it's highly probable I'd be thinking more than just twice about commuting on the bike again.  If it could happen to Rob then surely it's more than likely to happen to me.  So, stay safe out there people, stay safe.

No comments:

Post a Comment