Complete Letter to the Editor from Ken Sherman

Ken Sherman is a cyclist from the Athens-Oconee area. While I may have met him, I do not know him personally other than through his work incorporating the Oconee County Cycling Organization. I am not yet a gung ho bike pedaler, although I would like to become one who could join in the rides to Bostwick or Bishop, yet alone Athens or Savannah.

I read a column by Sherman in today's Athens Banner-Herald and understood from a Facebook post that the Editors at the Athens Banner-Herald removed some germane parts of his piece about a deliberate act of driving at a bicycle rider that resulted in an accident and broken bones in Jackson County. Here is the complete letter from Sherman:

4/2/10
Dear Editor:
For the safety and well-being of cyclists and others in our community, please print this letter. 

Earlier today, three other cyclists and I were riding east on New Kings Bridge Road, just a mile or so from the middle school. We were obeying all laws, riding single file, keeping far to the right, and wearing helmets. A car coming in the opposite direction intentionally veered into our lane to scare us.

 I was the first cyclist in line and, even in that brief moment, I made eye contact with the driver - he looked directly at me and continued heading for our group. I had to stop at once and pull off the road.

Two bikes back, one of our riders, a woman, could not stop in time and hit the rear wheel of the bike in front of her. She lost her balance and fell, breaking her right arm and dislocating her elbow. She had to be taken by the EMT's - who were responsive and terrific - to the hospital. 

There are so many things that are awful about this. This female rider, a good friend, had hip-replacement surgery a couple of years ago, and finally, tentatively, after lots of therapy and hard work, got back on the bike for the first time this past fall. 

Starting with an 8-mile ride, she built herself up quickly and became one of the strongest, toughest riders around. Just last week, she announced her decision to do the annual 210-mile Athens-Savannah ride next month, and she was beaming with satisfaction and pride. Today, lying on the side of the road, one of the first things she said to me was, “Well, there goes Savannah.” My heart broke to hear that.

Regarding the incident, it happened so quickly that I don’t have many details to share, but it involved a white male, 30-ish, drivng an older model (1990’s?) sedan, dark green or grey or blue. Even more disturbing, since putting out the word about this incident, I have already heard from others who have had very similar experiences with a driver matching this description in virtually the same location. So, we may have a very misguided and dangerous individual who thinks he is protecting "his" roads from cyclists (and possibly motor cyclists, from what I've heard). Or maybe it is just some kind of sick sport. 

On the restore-your-faith-in-humanity side, many wonderful folks stopped along the road to offer help or a kind word. Especially noteworthy, before the EMT’s arrived, Josh Allen a young man with the Athens-Clarke County Fire Department, who happened to be driving by, stopped and provided first aid and support. He even drove by again later to check on us. I couldn't help but notice that he had his little daughter in the backseat of his vehicle when he returned. In any case, he was truly an angel of mercy.

We are all someone's little daughter, or son, or dad, or mom, or friend. Please be kind, everyone. And if you can help identify this individual, please contact the Jackson County Police. You may be saving someone's life.

Ken Sherman
AthensGaBicycling / www.athensgabicycling.com

shermankathens@gmail.com

(P.S. I have written directly to ACC Fire Chief Iby George to let him know of the kind and heroic actions taken by Josh Allen). 

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