Watch out for Cyclists

Family I just wanted to give you a reminder about watching out for cyclists while your driving. As I have told many of you when you pass a cyclist think that its me Teesh on the bike and give me my 3 feet which is the law. Slow down dont just zoom past me. If its not safe to give me 3 feet just wait a few seconds til you can safely pass me. Also think about Marrissa she was out on her bike this summer. I was just checking out my bike computer and I have ridden more than 1200 miles. I would encourage all of you to get out on a bike but be safe and always wear your helmet.
So why am I writing all this well Andy a co-worker from the camping dept at REI was just hit by a car and almost died. So Im posting a story they did on the news the other night about him. Please read it and just think about how it could have been me. Please just watch out for all cyclists.

Cyclist nearly killed in crash
September 15th, 2008 @ 9:46pm
By Jed Boal
A school teacher in Utah County is hospitalized with serious injuries after he was cut off by a van while cycling to work. Today he talked about the crash that nearly killed him.
More people cycle these days because of high gas prices. But a lapse in safety by a motorist or the rider can quickly turn into a dangerous situation for the cyclist.

Andy Chapman is badly banged up all over.
"The paramedics and doctors have told me repeatedly how lucky I am to be alive," he said.
Friday morning around 7:30, the art teacher was bicycling on State Street in American Fork. He uses TRAX, a bus and his bike to commute from Salt Lake to Timpanogos Academy in Lindon.
"[I was] just feeling good to be riding in the morning to work. Then my next memory was waking up in a great deal of pain," he said.
A van cut in front of Chapman while turning into a restaurant parking lot.

"I went through the glass on the back portion of the van," Chapman explained.
He broke his collarbone and several other bones in his face. A gash in his neck opened up both his carotid artery and jugular vein. As for his bike and helmet? School Principal Errol Porter picked up the pieces.
"[I was] kind of dumbfounded, I guess. I was surprised that it was broken in half. It was amazing he way alive," he said.
Adrienne Burke saw it happen. "He hit the side of the truck," she said. "It spun him around. He hit the road face first."
Burke jumped out of her car to help. "He turned over. I just saw a pool of blood pour out of him," she said.
She and another woman held T-shirts against his neck until medics arrived.
Principal Porter said, "After seeing the helmet and the damage that was done to him, I don't think he would have been around if he weren't wearing the helmet."
Critical lessons from a teacher who is eager to recover.
"[I'm] keeping a positive attitude, looking forward to physical therapy and getting back to my routine," Chapman said.
Chapman obviously has a lot of recovery ahead of him, but he says he will ride again, even if he's apprehensive at first.
Police tell us they cited the van driver for the crash.