Most of us have wonderful memories of riding our pushbikes
as youngsters, exploring the far-reaches of the local neighbourhood and often
doing what we thought at the time were death-defying tricks and stunts.
For many, the freedom that comes with cycling has become
more than a hobby that wears off over time as we get older. The warmer weather,
combined with the recent Tour Down Under in Adelaide is sure to have encouraged
a number of Australians to dust of their trusty bike, slip into some lycra and
get their pedal to the metal. For me, it’s a gentler way to exercise than
pounding the pavement!
The die-hard cyclists among us are out on the streets at all
hours to get their freedom fix – and it’s not uncommon to see one or more
riding as early as sunrise, late as sunset and most hours in between.
But the freedom that comes with cycling can also be a risk
too. Many riders opt to leave their identification at home because on a bike, a
wallet or purse becomes a bulky accessory. Others don’t want their ride
impacted by annoying phone calls, so they don’t take their mobile phone either.
It is a sobering fact that on average, 35 riders are killed
and more than 9500 are injured in Australia each year. In 2013, there were 46
deaths, and 15 in NSW alone. We are all very aware of the ‘conventional’ road
toll count on a daily basis, but most of us are unaware of this level of death
and injury that impacts cyclists.
Earlier this year in Queensland a male cyclist was found
unconscious after colliding with a wheelie bin. Two cyclists were knocked off
their bikes and left lying by the roadside with serious injuries in separate
hit-and-run crashes on the same day in Sydney in January. In South Australia
there have been a number of incidents where a cyclist has been found injured
and unconscious on the roadside.
Every state and territory can offer similar stories when it
comes to these vulnerable road users.
With no form of identification on these riders it has sometimes
been difficult for emergency responders to know who they are and what (if any)
medical conditions they might have. On the flip side, families are left
anxiously waiting for news of their missing loved one who is well overdue in
returning from a ride, and they don’t know where to start looking for them.
That dilemma is seeing a growing number of cyclists choosing
to become MedicAlert members because they see value in the identification
benefits offered – especially if the unfortunate should happen and they fall,
or are knocked off their bike while riding alone and especially if they are knocked
unconscious.
If we really thought hard about the many risks in life then
most of us probably wouldn’t leave home for fear of never returning. For me, it
is about understanding the risks and putting strategies in place to manage them
as best we can. I always wear my stainless steel dog tag when cycling, ‘just in
case’. MedicAlert Foundation is proud to be able to help those with a pedal
passion to still enjoy what they love, knowing that our distinctive emblem can give
them a voice should they not be able to speak for themselves.
Sandra
