Monument at Sacramento State Serves as Reminder for Cyclists

A monument has been erected in Sacramento to serve as a reminder to drivers and cyclists of the death of a young cyclist who was killed while riding her bike, according to 3 KCRA News in Sacramento.  The monument is a “ghost bike” and was placed near the Sacramento State campus. May has been designated as bicycle safety month and advocates are hoping this reminder will be effective for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

A 22-year-old woman was killed near the site of the new monument while riding her bike on April 1.  According to Sacramento police, she was not wearing reflective clothing.  On April 10, a 17-year-old gilr was hit by two vehicles in Land Park, not far from Sacramento State.  She survived the accident, but police said she was very lucky to be alive because she was not wearing a bicycle helmet.

Dr. Leon Owens, a trauma surgeon from Mercy San Juan Hospital in Carmichael told KCRA 3 reporters that he sees many injuries from bicycle accidents.

“We admit to the hospital with severe injuries about 20 people a month,” Ownes said. “Almost daily we wind up putting someone in the hospital for a bicycle injury.”

According to medical experts, wearing a bicycle helmet reduces chances of a head injury by 85%.  The average age of cyclists killed is 41.