Silvia was seventeen and a dream to become a cycling champion. Fate, however, took her from the affection of her loved ones during a training session. Hit and dragged for several meters, his condition had immediately appeared very serious. Then the tragedy, yet another. “I can’t find the words to express my pain,” he says Davide Cassani, the technical commissioner of the Italian national road cycling team, “knowing that such a young girl has lost her life due to a distraction is unacceptable”.
«I didn’t know her personally», he continues, «but we are a big family». Again, it could have been avoided. “The problem is that we have to cry about people all the time just because the driver is distracted by their mobile phone or doing something else. This cannot be tolerated. Solutions need to be found. About 1000 people die a year including pedestrians and cyclists».
Davide Cassani has some recommendations to make, not only for motorists, but also for cyclists. “When cycling, be careful. Always. Think that they may not see you, do not trust priority, traffic lights or pedestrian crossings. If applicable, slow down or even stop. Better to stop training for a few seconds as you run the risk of being run over ».
From 22 April 2017 to 22 April 2021, from Michele to Silvia, every day was a day of mourning on the Italian roads….
Posted by Michele Scarponi Foundation on Saturday, April 24, 2021
“When I hear ‘I’m sorry I didn’t see it’ my blood boils. It means that the driver was distracted, how can you not see a person on a bicycle? ».
According to the coach, the institutions should work to stem the problem. “I understand it’s not easy,” he admits, “but something needs to be done. Bike paths can be a solution in the city. They would facilitate travel for those who work by bike and would also be good for the environment. But those who practice cycling as a sport certainly cannot whiz through the streets of the city at 40 per hour. More is needed ».
And here is the proposal. “Driving schools must be asked to do their part. Always emphasize to those who are preparing to get a license how important it is to stay focused while behind the wheel. It only takes a moment to kill a person ».
The last appeal is perhaps the simplest, but apparently the least listened to. “I beg you, do not use the phone while driving, unless you do it with the speakerphone. A phone call or a message is not worth a lifetime ».
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