Hey Look! Tom's in the Paper

http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060509/OPINION02/605090306/1100/OPINION

UPDATE:

Here's the text in case Gannett takes it down...

Letters to the Editor

How not to be a street pizza

Situational awareness is always necessary if you are going to ride a bike in traffic.

The best method I know is to pretend you are invisible. Assume the driver in the two- to three-ton steel box just cannot, for whatever reason, see you.

In a perfect world, all drivers would be aware of everything going on around them at all times. Unfortunately, and sadly, this isn't the case. Here are some basic guidelines I try to go by:

# Wear bright colors; be visible.

# If riding in bad weather, use a blinkie set (flashing LED taillight and headlight). A flashing light can be seen five times as far as a stead light. This is especially true if riding in fog or rain.

# Wear a helmet, preferably one that can be seen at 200 yards in headlights or the sunlight.

# Always, always be aware of the traffic around you, the damage you do to their vehicle is very minor in comparison to the damage they do to you.

# Use a mirror (either handlebar or helmet mount) to be aware of traffic approaching from behind.

Follow these simple guidelines and your cycling experience will have a greater likelihood of a successful ride versus being a street pizza. This always ruins your day!

Tom Leonard

Lafayette