This is me.
These two pictures were taken almost exactly 24 hours apart.
If you aren’t yet aware, Sunday night I was riding my bike and wrecked at full speed into a car illegally turning in front of me. One broken wrist, two surgeries, and plenty of stitches later I am out of the hospital and on my way to full recovery. I cannot begin to describe how lucky I feel to be alive and have such an amazing support system of people who care about me. I am blown away by the love and encouragement being sent my way.
That said, THIS FUCKING SUCKS. I would not wish this situation on anyone. All I can hope is that this incident can help teach someone a lesson without having to learn it the hard way.
CYCLISTS: Wear your helmet. Seriously, get a helmet and WEAR YOUR FUCKING HELMET. I was wearing mine during the crash and owe the integrity of my skull, my brain function, and quite possibly my life to that thing. I have never loved a piece of Styrofoam more in my life.
DRIVERS: PAY THE FUCK ATTENTION. Please do not underestimate the responsibility you take on every time you sit behind the wheel. Cars are not the only vehicles on the road. Aside from simply following traffic laws, please think about the laws of physics. Giant, metal cage vehicle vs. completely exposed and unprotected pedestrian/bike/motorcycle. We know how that matchup ends. ALWAYS be looking. Be considerate. Be alert. Share the road, save a life.
These sort of accidents are totally preventable, but just keep happening way too often. Please, please, PLEASE respect the roads and all those using them. I can’t wait for the day when I am fully recovered and able to get back on two wheels. I only hope that our city (or ya know, THE WORLD) might be a safer place for myself and others to ride.
This is Morgan. She came to our shop in March looking for a new bike. She told us that she was going to shop around for her new bike but that all her friends told her to “Go to Spun, they will take care of you.”
Those words meant so much to us. Within a couple of weeks, we had Morgan’s new bike ready. We customized a Raleigh Misceo into exactly what she wanted: drop bars with bar end shifters, fenders and rack, all matte black. She LOVED IT.
She was posting ridiculously happy photos on Instagram. I followed her joy and we became friends and I watched her ride this bike day in and day out, rain or shine.
Then, last Sunday this article was posted on Facebook. Dominic had me blow up the picture because he thought the bike looked familiar. He said “That’s Morgan’s bike.” I really didn’t think it was Morgan’s bike because in the picture the fenders looked gray. We had custom painted her fenders matte black to match the bike.
When I woke up Monday morning, Morgan had responded to my post with the link to that article and she had wondered if we recognized the bike and posted that she was ok, in the hospital, awaiting surgery. My mind was blown. I emailed with her Mom off and on throughout the day, keeping tabs on Morgan’s surgery. Dominic went to see her after she was out of surgery later that day and came back to tell me how horrible it all was.
This article was also posted that day which told us the driver of the vehicle had been cited. She was riding her bike down the hill on Whitfield, less than a mile from our shop. The driver was going up the hill and failed to yield to her, turned left, and she hit the passenger side of the car and her face hit the cement.
When I talked to Morgan on the phone that night she told me another car that was driving up the hill had pulled over to help her. He was an army medic, and knew exactly what to do for her until the ambulance arrived.
Something in the Universe was looking out for this girl, I just know it.
Morgan has met with an attorney who specializes in bicycle crashes.
She is now out of the hospital and on the road to recovery. She will require more dental surgery later to replace the teeth she lost.
Her bike, however, sits in an evidence room somewhere, broken.
We are hoping to replace her bike for her through donations at the shop. I have an account set up under her name and if you are interested in helping us help Morgan, you can:
1. Call in payment 513-541-7786
2. Swing by the shop.
3. You can snail mail a check to 4122 A Hamilton ave Cincinnati OH 45223
You can also spread this link around to help us raise awareness to other bicyclists that THIS COULD HAPPEN TO ANY OF US. In Morgan’s words:
Happy to be a poster child for a legit life saving cause, I just don’t want this to have to be anyone’s reality. I mean damn, can’t a girl just ride her fucking bike without gettin smashed up?