I had to write a grim email to a journalist at the San Francisco Chronicle today regarding the Deaths of Kristy Gough and Matt Peterson in March. The article covered the fact that many cyclist vs motorist accidents are caused by the cyclists themselves, Or at least they were blamed whether wrong or right. The journalist left out just enough information regarding Kristy and Matt’s death to group them in with reckless cyclists.
As you know Kristy and Matt were out on a training ride when a Sheriff’s deputy crossed the double yellow line on a rural mountain road and hit them head on killing one and severely injuring the other causing death.

Well that was easy, respect the slain with enough information, thats all I ask.

My Email:

Even mentioning Kristy Gough and Matt Peterson in your article about reckless cyclists is an insult and a disgrace. Many cyclists break the law and run red lights and do stupid things on the road. Kristy and Matt were killed by a reckless and careless police officer who would have killed anybody that was in his path. Walking pedestrian or fellow motorist. As a journalist you must include at least one sentence explaining what happened to Kristy and Matt to include their situation in your article. You obviously have an extreme lack of respect for the slain to carelessly mention them without explanation in a Police and driver biased article about cycling accidents.

disgraceful.

http://bike4more.com/2008/04/10/173/

Sorry for the bummer post.

Ride Safe