Frank, You might also mention that you recall when the "Safe Routes to School" federal money first came to WV the first lady expressed her strong support. I'm not sure how to work this in, but mention that the Road I and Kids I/II classes have typically resulted in an 80% reduction in crash rates. This means kids who take the course are that much less likely to have an accident like hers. Thanks for taking this on, Nick
---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: Jonathan Rosenbaum freesource@cheat.org Date: Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:40:14 -0400
This message is being forwarded on Frank's behalf:
Bicycle Board Members,
Of course this is a ripe banana. Please give me your feedback on the message below that I want to sent the WV's first Lady. (How do you address WV's first Lady? Hey, Gayle!?)
Please reply to fgmeindl@verizon.net mailto:fgmeindl@verizon.net. I will send out the letter tonight.
Frank
Dear First Lady,
I am sorry about your bicycle crash and hope your injuries are truly minor and heal quickly. I don't know the details but I do know that in many of these crashes the motorist says, "I didn't even see her!"
The League of American Bicyclists' Road I course teaches cyclists to maximize their visibility and predictability. You can review the LAB Bicycle Education program at http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/education/.
I would like to teach you the Road I course. The LAB BikeEd program is the only national bicyclist education program and I am one of West Virginia's 3 instructors certified by the LAB to teach it. I am also Chairman of the Morgantown Municipal Bicycle Board which advises the Morgantown Traffic Commission, City Engineer and City Manager.
Of course, I have a personal agenda here. I'm hoping that once you master Road I knowledge and skills, you'll share them with other cyclists as well as motorists and help make West Virginia safer for cyclists to bicycle anywhere, anytime for any reason.
Frank Gmeindl
/Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles/
-- Nick Hein Director, Positive Spin Morgantown, WV ph 304-276-0213 --
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director