Bollards are dangerous
 

http://www.newsreview.com/chico/Content?oid=627177

Ed McLaughlin hasn’t owned a car since 1982, when he gave up four wheels
for two.

If that’s not telling enough about his dedication to cycling, just look
at what he’s done for biking in Chico. Bike paths? Thank McLaughlin.
Bike racks on the B-Line buses? McLaughlin again. He’s been a dedicated
bicyclist and bike advocate for years. Ask those who know McLaughlin,
and they’ll likely say the same thing: He’s pretty much the undisputed
king of cycling.

A tireless advocate for a greener, bike-friendly, community, the
63-year-old McLaughlin is known by countless Chicoans, from the
pedestrians he’s passed on the street to the movers and shakers in local
government.

So it was a huge shock when the news came that McLaughlin had been
downed on Dec. 21 of last year while riding his bicycle, resulting in a
severe spinal injury. But it wasn’t surprising when McLaughlin’s cycling
friends came together to help the guy responsible for making Chico
arguably one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country.

Affectionately dubbed the “Tour de Ed,” a bike ride organized by the
Chico Velo Cycling Club will be held Saturday, Feb. 23. The event will
raise funds to help pay for McLaughlin’s ongoing medical care and other
needs such as the house remodel needed to make his Chico home
handicapped-accessible.

[big snip]

Linda Zorn was one of the riders pedaling ahead of McLaughlin on that
fateful ride through Bidwell Park, when she heard “a loud crashing
noise.” That loud noise was McLaughlin colliding straight-on with a
bollard (a metal pole set in the middle of the bike path to keep cars
out) after the pack “compressed” to avoid a pedestrian.

The impact sheared the fork off McLaughlin’s bicycle and threw him to
the ground, causing a severe cervical spine injury. McLaughlin, who was
wearing a helmet, was airlifted to San Jose’s Santa Clara Valley Medical
Center, which specializes in care and rehabilitation of spinal-cord
injuries.

The accident left McLaughlin with limited use of one of his arms and
little movement in his toes and feet. He recently underwent surgery to
stabilize his spine to prevent further injury if he falls or is
accidentally dropped by a caretaker.

Suzanne Hanson, McLaughlin’s partner of four years, has cut her work
down to part-time in order to make weekly visits to be with McLaughlin
in San Jose, where he remains in the hospital.

“Ed can’t even write to sign his name,” she said. “[Helping him] is a
distraction that makes me feel useful, because I can’t make him better.”