CHARLESTOWN Nevis, January 25th 2011 - Ace Cyclist and Triathlete on Nevis, Reggie Douglas, was involved in a close shave accident a few weeks ago and is appealing to motorists on Nevis to be more mindful of Cyclists on the road.
In an interview yesterday with NTV sports, Reggie described the incident as follows:
“The incident happened a few weeks ago but I am only just now speaking about it because I was really upset at the time but I have cooled down somewhat. I was cycling on Cottle’s long path and as I got into the incline heading towards Oualie Beach Hotel, I heard the noise of a vehicle behind me. I was not worried because I was holding my side. As I started to go down the same incline, still in the process of taking the corner, a car pulled up alongside me in the process of overtaking. We went along in this manner for a little while and as we approached a section with a concrete slab in the road, another vehicle was approaching from the opposite direction. The driver who was alongside me swerved to avoid the other vehicle and headed towards me. In order to protect myself, I leaped off my bike and kept running, heading into the bushes until I was able to stop, in the process releasing my bike. I did not fall.
I then turned back to get my bike. The driver continued on his or her way. I then noticed that my bike was damaged”.
Reggie is upset on several fronts:
1. The Driver should not have tried to overtake him in the corner
2. His bike is damaged and he now has to find money to repair it
3. The Driver drove off without even bothering to find out if he was okay.
It was just last year that Reggie was presented with the superior model bike through the instrumentality of Minister of Sports Hon Hensley Daniel.
The three major donors of the top of the line model bike were: The Ministry of Social Development as the major contributor ably supported by the returning Nationals of Nevis Society and FLY Biotech of Kansas in the USA.
The bike is a Road bike –carbon fiber; Crek Madone 6.9 model and was tailor- made to suit the ace Cyclist.
Reggie also referred to another incident when one day while tutoring his young charges through the streets of Charlestown, one Driver rudely shouted at them to ‘get off the road’.
Reggie is appealing to all motorists to be more considerate of Cyclists in general and to treat them with the respect that they deserve. With a mega Triatholon event due in Nevis in the next couple of months, Reggie is hoping that his appeal would be heeded and that motorists will give the Cyclists their due.
