I have written here and on my blog about the absolute necessity to carry ID while riding. I wear the Road ID ankle strap because it has emergency contact information, allergies and the like, but this article from the local paper drives home the point that** you have to have something!**
**Bicyclist Killed By Car ID'd** Posted 2009-08-27 **Father Of JMU Frosh Was On Way To Surprise Son**
By Pete DeLea and Jeremy Hunt
HARRISONBURG - Joseph V. Mirenda left Wintergreen on his bicycle Tuesday morning bound for Harrisonburg.
He was going to stop by and surprise his son, a freshman at James Madison University, but Mirenda didn’t make it to the end of the 50-mile trek.
On Wednesday, police identified Mirenda, 49, of Virginia Beach, as the victim in Tuesday’s fatal crash in Rockingham County.
Around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, emergency personnel were dispatched to Port Republic Road, about a mile east of Cross Keys Road, where they found the cyclist lying in the ditch.
Mirenda was riding west on Port Republic Road when he was struck by a westbound 2000 Ford Taurus driven by Jessica Chandler, according to the Virginia State Police.
No charges were filed as of press time Wednesday, but investigators obtained a search warrant for the driver’s cell phone records.
First Sgt. Bryan Hutcheson with the state police said investigators will be looking into whether Chandler, 22, of Port Republic, was talking on her cell phone or texting in the moments before the crash occurred.
“We don’t want to leave any stones unturned,” Hutcheson said.
Although the Daily-News Record has confirmed a search warrant was issued in the case, the document remains sealed by court order at the Rockingham County Circuit Court.
Meanwhile, investigators are still trying to piece together exactly how the crash happened.
They had spent Tuesday and most of Wednesday trying to determine the name of the cyclist, who had no identification on him.
State police caught a break in the investigation Wednesday afternoon when they received a call from the Wintergreen Police Department.
A Virginia Beach woman contacted the department and said she couldn’t reach her husband, who was staying at the family’s home in Wintergreen, Hutcheson explained.
The wife mentioned he may have gone on a bicycle ride.
Wintergreen officers recalled seeing a man riding a bicycle there Tuesday morning, and he matched the description of the then-unidentified cyclist killed in Tuesday’s crash.
The state police and Wintergreen officers then confirmed the man’s identity based on an inscription on a wedding band he was wearing.
It said “Frauke & Joe” with the date 9-24-88 on it.
Contact Pete DeLea at 574-6278 or pdelea@dnronline.comBicyclist Killed By Car ID’d Posted 2009-08-27
Some days I just want quit road biking and just ride the Mtn bike trails instead.
I do carry my drivers Lic in a plastic ziploc bag with some money and a cell phone.
Besides the insane summer temps, this is another reason I’ve spent a vast majority of my bike time this summer on the trainer. It’s just too nuts out there anymore.
When I was riding I always had my driver’s license, insurance card and blood type with allergies with me. Last thing I wanted was any question on who I was or basics on my medical stuff. I’m allergic to penicillin and Erythromycin. Could be disasterous if they give me that. I always run with my Road ID that has contact info for emergencies and allergies on it. I also always have my cell phone. Basics of safety.
Get a Road ID and NEVER leave without it. I won’t even go on a short run without it. That’s probably the most important piece of equipment I own. It’s the only thing I truly NEED.
More often that not my only “ID” is my cell phone. I guess I figure that I know with certainty that if I am in an accident and can not speak for myself EMS, ED and everyone involved will give me the best care possible no matter who I am. If I had kids or anything I am certain that my thinking would change in a hurry. (plus I have no allergies or anything really other than poor judgement to worry about).
I used my cell phone as my primary ID for years but finally got a road ID this summer. Over the years, I’ve seen several crashes where the contents of a jersey pocket, including cell phones, ended up on scattered on the road. If you are in a group its not a big deal but I figure if I get hit hard enough while riding solo to need ID, I can’t really count on anyone arriving on scene necessarily being able to find my cellphone or it still being in working order.
You’re right, if you show up at the hospital you are going to get taken care of even if they don’t know your name. I look at my Road ID more like a set of dog tags for the benefit of my next of kin so they don’t have to spend hours or days looking for me. Plus, strapping it on my ankle before every ride has become a little ritual to focus my mind on safety
I wear my Road ID (wrist) on every run and bike ride. Probably won’t save my life, but it drastically decreases the chances of me ending up as John Doe in the morgue.
X a hundred on the Road ID. Without hometown knowledge, after my crash I would’ve been flown 350 miles to Seattle for trauma care. Not that I wouldn’t have received excellent care there, but it was much better on family and friends to be in my home town. Also, things like a cell phone can get launched in a crash along with computers, wallets, water bottle tool kits, even the under-seat bags. The rear poclets of my cycling jersey were torn and contents scattered. I’ve yet to hear of a Road ID getting dislodged. I know several people who have two, one for themselves and one for their bike. Helps to identify your bike. I think that’s a great idea - *(especially if you ride a Cervelo at IM Canada or another popular frame anywhere.) *
Since I moved here, I always ride with my driver’s license. I don’t know anyone here (or just very few folks) and it would take a while before someone says I’m missing (aside from facebook status updates that is)…
I write all my information on the inside of my helmet in permanant magic marker. Never had to use it but it’s nice to know that if I ever do someone will see it.
that’s awful…my deepest sympathies to the family. An ID wouldn’t have made a difference for the man, but at least his family could have been reached more quickly.
FWIW, I always run with a Road ID wrist band and ride with the wrist band, my driver’s license and cell phone. The Road ID has my emergency contact info, blood type, wife’s cell phone, insurance info, and year of birth.
I always carry ID with me on my rides. A ziploc bag with a copy of my insurance card, drivers license, emergency contacts, school ID (in case I feel like hopping on a local bus), cell phone, and some money.
I hope I never need it, but it’s always nice to know it’s all there.
For the instant gratification, cheapskates like me, a dog tag from the local pet food supermarket costs about $6 and less than 10 minutes of your time, and can have all the same info as a road ID.
i use a fanny pack and keep my cell phone and wallet in it. but hope to never need them. road id is a great idea. but there are alternatives to use. hope everyone is always safe riding. but that may never be the case.
A great group of answers, and all heart felt. From the physicians perspective, if you’ve had an accident and are noncommunicative, and I’m standing at the ER door as you are taken out of the ambulance on a backboard, strapped in, neck collar on, etc., in the best of all situations I’d like to know your name, next of kin and how to reach them, illnesses, medicines, allergies, and blood type. If you have a condition that makes you different - like you’ve had your cervical spine fused - this would also be exceptionally handy. And, yes, having kids makes a pretty significant difference.
Just dont call the patient “Bike -vs- Car guy”. That happened here…guy was hit by a car…called “Bike -vs- car guy” more than once. Oddly, the ED staff did not know, nor did he tell them that “Bike-vs- Car guy” was the CEO of the hospital. After a few hours they found out who he was.
More than one person, and more than one MD lost their job.
People wonder why I stick to my mtb/the trainer/sidewalks whenever possible. Around here (Northern VA) traffic is so bad I am surprised one of these accidents doesnt happen every week.
I always ride with my RoadID pouch - contact info on the band, drivers license and health insurance card inside the pouch.
I’ll bet that there are more of these but that we’re so spread out that we only hear about those in our area. Maybe, if we knew about all of them, we’d step off the bike in favor or bowling or cribbage.
