Re: Horrbile Accident @ Twinbrook and Braddock
Date: July 17, 2011 12:01PM
Another rider Wrote:
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> I lost a dear friend years ago to a tragic bike
> accident and also grew up in Annandale and knew of
> the women/wife that was injured and has also lost
> her husband. To those of you with the ignorant
> comments, I hope you never have such a horrific
> loss in your life, would hate to know you were
> making lite of your loved ones death....idiots!
>
> I pray the women that was on the bike and the
> other gentleman recover fully from their physical
> injuries.
>
> I am a widow of a long time motorcycle cop and
> always remember him saying that it is at dusk that
> is the most dangerous time to be on the road.
> Never ever assume people see you when riding, many
> automobile drivers aren't looking for them.
>
> Riding is such a wonderful freedom, but very risky
> around here, so many people driving with
> distractions anymore. WATCH FOR MOTORCYCLES, THEY
> ASRE EVERYWHERE!!!
Riding is a wonderful freedom. So is skydiving.
Jackoffs aside, those who choose to use roads while on two wheels are taking a risk. I take those risks on both a bicycle and motorcycle. A friend of mine was paralyzed waist-down last year when he wrecked on one of our weekend rides. I'm acutely aware of the dangers involved in exercising that freedom.
My sorrow for those involved is limited a bit by their choice to take that risk, especially if they leave behind a family. Life insurance pays out money but doesn't replace dad. If you're too poor for a car, there are alternatives. Biking the long way with wider roads, public transportation, etc. We have winters here and cheap motorcycling without sidecars, heated suits/grips/gear, etc. doesn't work year round, making motorcycles a choice and not a necessity.
I have a family that depends on me being able to raise my kids and earn a paycheck - so I no longer bicycle on unsafe roads. Biking to work is six miles on Fox Mill road as it approaches Waples Mill and I take the eight mile CCT mountain bike path that takes twice as long. No amount of anger or reflective spandex will make that faster road safe and I won't rabidly assert my rights as a bicyclist.
I also limit greatly the number of trips where I take my wife on the motorcycle. Losing me is one thing, losing both parents is unfathomable. It sucks, but you make choices.
I say this believing that it is impossible to make the drivers of cars pay complete attention and drive safely, even though they should.