Send this story Print this story

Adjust text size

Guest opinion: Cyclist's errant water bottle leaves pedestrian injured, angry

by Nancy Baglietto

Here's to you, the Tuesday/Thursday morning bicyclists from Palo Alto. Because of you I experienced how efficiently the (Woodside/Portola Valley) fire department responds, the emergency room at Sequoia Hospital and an unexpected visit to the dentist for a broken tooth. Let's not mention the three days of work I missed.

Let me refresh your mind. On Thursday, Nov. 16, I was walking down Portola Road near Willowbrook Road — not even in your path — when a cyclist at the front of your pack launched a bottle of water. It hit me in the face with enough force to send me to the ground head first on the trail.

You kept going. Had this happened from a vehicle you would have been identifiable from your car license. All I have to go on is the Alto Velo Jersey — sponsored by Webcor Builders. In fact, the bottle was imprinted with Alto Velo.

My friend, Sylvia, ran into the road and stopped a few of the cyclists at the end of the pack to help until someone arrived. Fortunately, Dr. Jeffrey Saal stopped to give some assistance until the paramedics arrived.

I confronted the cyclists on Tuesday morning on Portola Road, my face still swollen and distorted, and told them they needed to find the person who launched the bottle and encourage him to take responsibility for his actions. On Wednesday, the person did call and said he was aiming the bottle at a passing car. Just think if the bottle had hit a child on his way to school.

Do you wonder why bicyclists are not well liked? You travel in herds, you are hostile, inconsiderate, and negligent. You torment others by riding five to six abreast and purposely prevent anyone from passing.

It is too bad stupid actions of a few ruin the sport for others. Your behavior is unacceptable.

You are not welcome in Portola Valley. Go somewhere else to ride. Our town is small and not safe from your marauders.

Nancy Baglietto lives on Brookside Drive in Portola Valley.