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SPECIAL HAPPENINGS - Elections and Summer Picnic Nominating Committee Report for 2006 Slate Elected positions:
Appointed positions: Bonnie Kellogg and Jean O'Donnell – co-chair Cinderella training Rides Thank you to the officers who served this year, Karen, Ron, Gary Smith, Mark, Mike Northrup, Kevin Mahanna, Sydney Friedenberg, the Primavera coordinators, the Cinderella coordinators Molly and Neil for their refreshments and clothing all year for several years. All of you have contributed to the well being of the club. If I have omitted anyone, I apologize. See you at the meeting, and please think of some way you might contribute to the health and vigor of the club. . Sincerely, Florence Silver, Nominating committee chair 2006. FFBC's Club Picnic We need an accurate count for the caterers no later than September 10. Any FFBC Board member will be available to collect your $5 fee to hold your reservation during or prior to the September club meeting. Please note, there will be an additional fee (I believe it is $5) collected by Alum Rock Park if you plan to arrive via automobile. At least one club ride will be leaving from REI and cycling to the Park. (Details will be available in September’s Ride Schedule.) Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to spend quality cycling time with your FFBC cycling buddies before enjoying a wonderful meal catered by Amarillo Willy's. Wednesday Bike to Bike Accident, August 23, 2006 Many serious bicycle accidents happen on 'quiet' residential streets, in parking lots and on bike paths. In fact, a bicycle accident can occur anytime one rides a bike. The ride last Wednesday was no exception. I was riding with traffic next to another rider when out of nowhere a young girl riding her bike on the sidewalk going against traffic rode out of a driveway directly into my path. I didn’t see her as she was behind a large bush, I was talking to the other rider, and probably wasn’t as aware as I could have been. In an instant I was down, crashed onto the curb, the girl next to me, and my pedals still clicked on my shoes. The events that followed seemed a blur, I recall standing up on my own, a new member went home to get his car, loaded my bike and me and dropped me off at home where I was left to tend to my wounds (thank you, Ed I appreciate your kindness). About an hour later, I realized my head took most of the impact. I was home alone, I contacted a friend who stayed with me the afternoon. The following day I sought medical care, my primary care physician noted severe neck sprain, which will take anywhere from 4-6 weeks to heal. Fortunately for me, no broken bones and my bike faired rather well. My experience with the FFBC is that the rides are well organized, and there is a culture that we care about each other. I think the leaders do a good job in helping riders with flats or other mechanical problems. It is my experience that we don't leave weaker riders stranded. So why did I feel that Wednesday’s accident didn’t have the follow through I have seen in the past? And what lessons can be learned? First, read these general rules below for what seems to be fairly obvious but often aren’t followed (myself included). Stay focused on riding the bicycle. Second, someone should have escorted the young girl to her home and made certain an adult was made aware of the accident. It was fortunate that I saw the girl walking toward her home that morning. That evening I made a visit and spoke with the mother. The mother was not informed of the specifics of the accident and was surprised to learn of the severity of injuries I sustained as her daughter was fine. Third, an accident report should always be completed. A report is one way to document events in case of future liability. It is true, I consider myself a competent and experienced rider; however, in the heat of the moment following an accident the adrenalin rush can cloud an accident victim’s thinking. I hope, in the future we accompany the injured rider if for nothing else, just to make certain there is someone that person can contact if needed. Further, an underage rider should be accompanied to the care of an adult. Perhaps the biggest lesson learned from this accident is that when an injury-accident occurs, ride leaders have dual responsibility -- to make certain that the injured rider is safe and also to complete the ride. Let’s put together our heads and think how this can best be done. Joyce Tanaka |