For Julie

Julie Sawchuk with her family in happier days.

On August 4, my cousin sent me a message, via Facebook, about a Huron County triathlete named Julie Sawchuk. A CTV news story reported Sawchuk had been preparing for the cycling portion of the Goderich Triathalon when she was struck from behind. The motorist claims he didn’t see her. Sawchuk sustained multiple injuries, many of them serious. She is currently in a London hospital with a torn trachea, a fractured skull, a broken back, pneumothorax, six broken ribs, broken teeth, broken nose, road rash (which will require plastic surgery) and is paralyzed from the chest down. In her message to me, my cousin begged me to be vigilant on the road, stating that days prior to the accident, Sawchuk had written to the local press about Huron County motorists who don’t share the road. My cousin, knowing that LOML and I are avid cyclists, begged me to be visible and alert when we’re on the road. While I assured her we were both visible and alert, I didn’t tell her that, even though I have many years of experience cycling, I am always on edge when riding on County roads. And then? Well, and then, a coincidence. On Monday, Rick Conroy sent me an email that contained a point-of-view statement and a personal message addressed to me. The statement and message, written by County resident Lori Mason, was about Julie Sawchuk. It’s a small world. Mason’s correspondence was, basically, a request to spread the word about sharing the road.

As you all know, County roads are over-thetop busy during the tourist season. Many visitors are here to enjoy the scenic beauty of the County, and some of them want to get out and about on their bicycles. The problem with cyclists and motor vehicles sharing the road is twofold. Firstly, cyclists aren’t always very visible to motorists. Secondly, there is a deep-seated aversion, by some, to sharing the road. Come on, you know it’s true. I have heard dozens of people brag about how close they come to cyclists when they’re passing them on the road. Seriously, I’ve heard it all. Some of it is quite unnerving. Even though people know I’m an avid cyclist, some don’t hesitate to tell me how they feel about sharing the road. For those of you who like to flirt with danger, the driver of the vehicle that struck Julie Sawchuk was charged with “Fail to turn out to left to avoid collision with bicycle” under the Highway Traffic Act. He has to live with what happened. Julie Sawchuk has to live with his mistake.

Not to come down hard on the motorists. Both they and cyclists can do a few simple things to lower the risk of collisions. Starting with the cyclists, put away the camo and the dull duds and wear brightly-coloured clothing, preferably neon colours that don’t blend with the scenery. Learn the hand signals and use them to let others know your intentions. Shell out a few bucks and put flashing lights on the back of your bicycle. I’ve got them, and several motorists have remarked on how visible they are. LOML and I also wear flashing lights on armbands. When drivers are beside you at an intersection, they are more like to remember you’re there if they see the flashing lights on the armbands.

Personally, I prefer to have a mirror on my bike. I can see vehicles coming from behind and move over as far as possible to allow a safe pass. LOML isn’t as comfortable with the side mirror (he said he doesn’t want to see “it” coming).

Motorists! Wake up. Driving distracted is driving distracted. You cannot take your eyes off the road for an instant, especially during the tourist season, when cyclists are out in droves. Give cyclists at least a metre when you’re passing. Preferably change lanes to pass. If you can’t pass safely because of oncoming traffic, you have to wait until you can. It’s the law, plain and simple.

Cycling is becoming more popular for a variety of reasons, including environmental and economical ones. LOML and I have many County friends who consider their bicycles their main means of transportation. These folks cycle year-round. Should we have bike lanes, here in the County? That’s a good question. It would be a wonderful step in the right direction, but I understand there are so many issues that command the attention of our municipal administration and our tax dollars. We could head in the right direction by learning, as cyclists and motorists, to share the road and be respectful of all vehicular traffic.

For more information about Julie Sawchuk and her new journey, or to make a donation toward her future needs, check out www.forjulie.com. Drive decent, kiddies.

theresa@wellingtontimes.ca