Eric Chu
I think it's a shame that the victim of unsportsmanlike conduct
should be blamed for not having his own insurance and be called
irresponsible.
and discouraging riders who do not have their own insurance from
racing is equally misguided thinking.
comments like that follow the same bad logic as that used by
motorists who blame cyclists for riding bikes at all. how many times
have we heard, "oh gee, that cyclist that got hit by a car...he
shouldn't have been riding a bike anyway...everyone knows riding a
bike in traffic is dangerous. why would anyone do that?"
If I don't have health insurance, should I ride my bike to work? for
recreation? or at all? it's all risky to some extent, right? am I
being irresponsible because I ride a bike? according to this line of
reasoning I am.
it's blaming the victim plain and simple.....and it's surprising to
hear that coming from within the cycling community.
if insurance coverage through USAC at events is included....we should
do a better job of informing participants. If it's great
coverage...then why are we blaming Geoff for not having insurance if
he is, indeed, covered through USAC? and why would we discourage
people from racing if they are covered under this policy?
as far as affordability...luckily, I do have health insurance
coverage through my job. I know my own health insurance would cost me
$2,500 a year if I were to try and pay for it on my own. The only
reason I keep my soul-killing job is so that I have health insurance.
and for me personally.....$2,500 is about double what I've spent on
cycling equipment in the past TWO years.
the person at fault here is the rider who caused the injuries to
Geoff by his bad conduct and unsafe riding. Our attention should be
focused on identifying that rider and holding him accountable if he
is indeed responsible for Geoff's injuries. There should be due
process, of course, and I hope this incident is investigated by race
organizers and USAC.
The message we should be hearing from race organizers and promoters
is that unsportsmanlike conduct and unsafe riding will not be
tolerated PERIOD.....rather than a lecture about the affordability of
health insurance.
Eric in Bend