ID enhances cyclists' safety

by Ron Burkitt, PCI #488
Hilliard PD (OH)

Attention! All units in the area - we have a motor vehicle versus bicycle crash with injuries!

You hear this call go out over the radio and quickly respond. As you arrive on scene, you begin to assess the situation. You know the cyclist is unconscious and is going to be transported. The cyclist was out riding alone. You need information and you have no way to get it. Who is this person? Where does he live? What is his blood type? Does he have any allergies? Is he an organ donor?

How important to you is an ID? When you are on duty, your uniform is usually enough, but you also usually have your police ID. What about when you are off duty? Does your department require you to carry your ID? If you carry a gun, you'd better be carrying ID. What about when you are riding? What happens if you are the victim of that crash? On duty, the uniform is all you need, but what about off-duty? Think about how much harder it is to do your job when you can't identify who you are dealing with. Personally, I never used to carry ID when I rode off-duty.

Then I found the Road ID. Now I am never without identification. Road ID is a new product that can answer most of the "?" from above. The Road ID can be worn on your shoe, ankle, wrist or as a necklace. It allows you to provide up to six lines of information to help those that may need to help you during an emergency. My Road ID is similar to a military dogtag. It has my name, city and state, home and work phone numbers, the fact that I'm a Hilliard Police Officer, my blood type, allergies and organ donor status, and my IPMBA Instructor number. The Road ID necklace, called "the FIXX," is made of polished stainless steel and can be laser engraved with a number of different logos, including the IPMBA logo.

So what if you don't ride off duty? Maybe you run, ski, swim, rollerblade, hike, or participate in some other activity in makes it awkward to carry ID. Road ID can give you peace of mind; if you do become a victim and cant't speak for yourself, Road ID will speak for you.

When we were trained to ride our bikes on duty, our instructors told us that we are advocates for safe riding and that, like it or not, we are bike experts. I spend a lot time on and off duty talking to riders about wearing their helmets and now I encourage Road ID.

Road IDs for the ankle, shoe, or wrist are priced at $19.99; "the FIXX" is $24.99. Shipping and handling is free. For a closer look, visit www.RoadId.com. Road IDs also make great gifts for friends and family.

Road ID is offering a discount to IPMBA members while this issue of IPMBA News is in effect. If you place an order within the next three months, you will receive $2 off any Road ID. Just enter the coupon code IPMBA3 when prompted and you will receive a personalized Road ID. Don't become the anonymous victim of a terrible accident.

Ron can be reached at rburkitt@columbus.rr.com.

© 2004 IPMBA. This review first appeared in the Winter 2004 issue of IPMBA News.