Don’t become a statistic

1 comment April 21st, 2008

I expect more people will be riding their bikes to work, shopping, etc. now that the price of gas has topped $3.50 and the weather is getting better.

Bicyclists need to be aware of motorists, some of whom don’t seem to realize that bikes have a right to be on the road. I’ve had inattentive motorists get dangerously close to hitting me. A few seemed like they were trying to get close enough to me to try and scare me. Why else would they move left AFTER they had passed me?

Bicyclists also need to use common sense. A Chicago man was killed last night when he was hit by a car. It happened at 1:15 a.m. Sunday.

I don’t know what he was doing riding his bike that time of night. It’s not something I would do. I don’t care how many lights or reflectors I can put on a bike, I don’t feel safe riding when it’s dark. Too many things can happen.

May is National Bike Month, as proclaimed by the League of American Bicyclists. The week of May 12-16 is Bike to Work Week and Friday, May 16, is Bike to Work Day.

Get out and ride. But be careful.

Give blood

3 comments April 21st, 2008

Every once in a while we write editorials about blood shortages and how you should stop by the Rock River Valley Blood Center and donate.

We practice what we preach (sometimes) and this morning I gave blood. The process took a little more than a half an hour. The medical questionnaire, forms, etc. took up most of that time. The actual giving of blood, needle time, was about 10 minutes.

My blood is O+, which is the most common. Blood centers like to get O- because that type can be received by anyone whether they’re A+, A-, B+, B-, etc.

The blood center at the new Perryville location opens at 6 a.m., which makes it convenient for an early riser like me.

Give the blood center a call at 815-965-8751 and make an appointment. You could save a life.