The new Medical Examiner front page:
You will probably see this and immediately think of Dennis Skillman, peacefully riding his bike to work yesterday morning. Or perhaps you’ll think of Christopher Provost, charged with felony vehicular homicide for leaving the roadway to run over and kill Skillman, then flee the scene. You may very well think, “National Bike to Work Day”? No thank you.
Instead, if riding a bike is something you’re considering, or would like to do more often to get exercise, work at being safe. People don’t usually quit driving when they hear about an automobile accident, but they might resolve to drive more safely. Bicyclists – and motorists – should do the same in the wake of yesterday’s tragedy.
I was talking with someone about it yesterday, and he told me before daylight yesterday (in other words, at about exactly the same time Mr. Skillman’s life was ending) he saw a woman riding a bike on Wrightsboro Road without a headlight or illuminated taillight or any reflective clothing. That is just plain reckless and dangerous.
Once a cyclist leaves wooded bike trails and residential neighborhood sidewalks and quiet side streets and enters the realm of speeding 2-ton vehicles piloted by people talking on telephones, he is in extremely dangerous territory. The Medical Examiner advises against it. If you choose to venture onto major highways on a bicycle, talk to the bike shops on our front page about safety gear before doing so.
Keep riding. Keep living.