With the obvious cycling incident up in the Lakes today it brings home how important it is to have some sort of personal ID when out riding solo.
I know it's a personal choice etc, + maybe it's patronising but make sure you get some + carry it with you. If not for yourself then for family friends etc.
In fact on the subject of solo off-road riding in remote places or forests/woodland always carry a perry whistle.
[u][b][url= http://www.roadid.com ]Road ID[/url][/b][/u] is a good source. I have dog tag for cycling + wrist id for running.
I always have my debit card on me. Just in case I pass a bike shop.
I don't carry any id.
It's worked so far, and the odds are it will carry on working 🙂
I always carry my phone. As good as ID IMO.
my phone has an ICE number on it
In Case of emergency then name of person eg ICE Girlfriend
It's a good check and one i believe the ambulance service/police will look for
[i]It's a good check and one i believe the ambulance service/police will look for [/i]
Don't kid yourself.
I very rarely ride alone.
+1 for Road ID - I have to admit it's an important part of my kit and I'd turn back if I got to the end of the road without any ID and was off on a solo ride (as most of my rides are).
In addition to family contact details, the Road ID wristband has the avantage of having my medical info on as well.
Normally a phone and wallet or debit card. Both pretty useful even if it means you can buy an icecream or phone the other half to say you'll be late home.
Ditto Jonb
Always have a phone on me.
Road id when I run or cycle alone.
I have a sort of sick fascination in hoping to one day [i]twitter[/i] that I've fallen off and need help.
With a link to google maps of where you are?
[i]Don't kid yourself.[/i]
That's disappointing. I seem to remember there was a campaign backed by the police/emergency services to get folks to add an ICE number into their phone.
I always carry my phone. As good as ID IMO.
I always carry a phone when I go solo up into the hills running for a couple of days and told the wife thats my emergency ID. Same with biking.
She just replied "so what happens when you break your phone when you fall?"
As someone who was there at the scene at the incident in the Lakes it has got me thinking about buying some proper ID as I think my wifes right. A phone can break. Proper ID won't.
There was a similar incident with Steve Cram's brother, who fell and died after cracking his skull when he fell. None of the family could find him for two days.
I almost always ride alone (on or off road). Never carry ID. Don't always even carry a mobile.
<shrug> Don't have any particular medical issues or allergies, common blood group, fairly sure I will be missed, very confident the medical services will do whatever is needed without needing consent if I'm so out of it I can't give consent myself.
<shrug> Don't have any particular medical issues or allergies, common blood group, fairly sure I will be missed, very confident the medical services will do whatever is needed without needing consent if I'm so out of it I can't give consent myself.
The point is its not for you. Its for your family and loved ones to know as soon as possible.
Since I was deliberately run down riding to work, I now always wear a set of dogtags with my details (including allergies) and my next of Kin details.
Probably a little morbid, but vital in my opinion.
Something I never think about. I rarely carry a wallet and am more likely to have £10 tucked away in a saddlebag or "camelback". I guess I've usually got a phone with me though.
As a motorcyclist, I used to have my blood group sewn onto my leathers, but then I was told that the emergency services would never assume that was correct as they could have been borrowed.
I've got an ICE number in my phone, which I try to always carry (but sometimes forget). Usually ride in club kit so that would help I suppose. I think the RoadID is a good idea and am tempted to pick one up.
Might just get a long gold chain with a very small tag engraved with a contact number to hang out of my open jersey. Then I can pretend I'm a tour rider, AND be safe.
[i]That's disappointing. I seem to remember there was a campaign backed by the police/emergency services to get folks to add an ICE number into their phone. [/i]
Yup big campaign few years ago now so drifts away a bit but most people look for 'Home' or parents tags i.e. 'Dad' in the mobile safer bet.
I always have my phone and a marked ICE number.
My Giro helmet came with a little sticker for writing name, address, etc. and sticking inside. I also always have a wallet, phone, etc.
I use Utag dog tags all your medical info on a impact resistant usb stick and a spare dog tag to engrave.
http://www.digitaldogtag.co.uk/
I always have medical card,bank card, helicopter rescue card and ID with me. Stuffed in a sandwich bag they don't take up much space.
I have N.O,K, phone number, address, blood group, allergies and choice of breakfast all tattoo'd onto my left buttock.
Seriously though, why spend monry on tags and stuff. A debit card in the pocket, phone number in the helmet or a late back procedure will all work.
Don't need to over complicate things
Generally speaking I carry a wallet unless I'm riding from home, even then I always have a phone.
When I'm riding I've nearly always got a phone, bank card etc on me that would be a big help in identifying me. When I'm running alone though I carry as little as possible so wouldn't have anything that would help ID me.
There was a similar incident with Steve Cram's brother, who fell and died after cracking his skull when he fell. None of the family could find him for two days.
As a result Steve Cram launched and promoted the 'CramTag' system, ID for runners. I did have one but after a while it became too much of a faff to swap it between running shoes. I don't even know where it is now and I'm back to running alone without ID.
no ID, no phone. Cash in pocket.
I usually ride alone, and carry my phone and wallet. Wallet has credit cards, business cards and various club membership cards all of which would identify me.
I too use Road ID with my name, DOB, two ICE numbers and allergies, which are Penicillin and Diclofenac, so quite important that any medics know this as i become quite ill if I have any of these. Have the wrist band on whenever I go out, whether i'm on my bike or car. Recommend them to everyone. Delivery only takes about a week from the US.
You should always carry a phone with you regardless if its road or trail. Imagine you have a major mechanical out on the roads. What are you going to do?! At least a phone you can blag a mate or taxi etc. I have my driving licence otherwise.
[i]You should always carry a phone with you regardless if its road or trail[/i]
I don't have a phone extension lead long enough
Always have my drivers licence and phone with me for any ride, no matter how short. As above, the ID is so your family can be contacted rather than for yourself. Even more important if you have allergies relevant to any potential treatment, as noted above.
You could just write all this stuff on a piece of card and leave it in your camelbak inside a ziplock bag, cheap, cheerful and always there.
I use Utag dog tags all your medical info on a impact resistant usb stick and a spare dog tag to engrave.
Is it just me or is this Utag thing just overcomplicating everything and slightly missing the point? I can't imagine that an ambulance person is going to look at the contents of a memory stick to check for allergies, etc, whereas they might look at an engraved dogtag type thing.
i have my keys in my saddle bag or pack. And on it have a tag with my name and nok details. I made it at the local pet shop as they have a machine for engraving pet collar tags only cost two quid too 🙂 and you can even have it in the shape of a bone if you wish 🙂
[i]You should always carry a phone with you regardless if its road or trail.[/i]
Good grief.
Weirdly enough i noticed a sticker on the inside of my helmet the other day. I dont remember fillingit out, but at some point I must have.
Has my name, bllod type, emergency contact and a space for allergy info.
Very sensible I thought.
Shame its in the helmet I dont use very often.
[i]Road ID is a good source.[/i]
These look pretty good from havinga peek at their webiste but is there a UK based version as it looks like it could take a while to be delivered from the US?
[i]You should always carry a phone with you regardless if its road or trail.[/i]
I always carry a phone...mostly for the fact it has a camera and I can take ride photos with it. No ID. Still having fallen off yesterday combined with the realisation that network coverage on the Surrey Hills is pretty poor, suppose it would make sense to carry some ID.
Road ID is a good source.These look pretty good from havinga peek at their webiste but is there a UK based version as it looks like it could take a while to be delivered from the US?
They are good - mine took just over a week to arrive. I went for a dog-tag style one as I wanted it to be noticeable; mine has the medical alert symbol on one side, and medical (Type 1 diabetes) on the other.
[i]mine took just over a week to arrive.[/i]
Cheers HH. That sounds better. Did you go for the USPS First Class Mail ($2.49) or USPS Global priority ($12.49)? Not to up on importing: did yours incur any other charges going through customs?
Always have debit card and usually phone. Don't see the need for any 'specially-designed' ID really.
...and all that blood group malarkey might make you feel like you're back in the 'Nam, but will be studiously ignored by anyone who needs to give you blood; your blood will be matched in hospital; a safer prospect than relying on the information on a tag.
Did you go for the USPS First Class Mail ($2.49) or USPS Global priority ($12.49)? Not to up on importing: did yours incur any other charges going through customs?
I just went for the standard $2.49 delivery, and there were no customs charges on the $27.48 total. Placed the order on the May 30th and it shipped on June 3rd - arrived a week after that.
Don't see the need for any 'specially-designed' ID really.
Perhaps not if you are lucky not to have any medical conditions that would be handy for the emergency services to know about? For those of us that do, the medical alert symbol could quite literally be a life-saver.
I try not to fall off. I find that helps a lot! 😉
Perhaps not if you are lucky not to have any medical conditions that would be handy for the emergency services to know about? For those of us that do, the medical alert symbol could quite literally be a life-saver.
Good point, hadn't really thought about that.
Funny we were talking about this on the obligatory cafe stop on Saturaday road ride. I went for the Road ID 2 weeks ago, took 6 days from the states, as i'd hate for my wife/kids not to know (for example) if i was knocked unconscious and in hospital. Reason i went for it as opposed to phone/credit card etc......
1) What if your phone is smashed, lost in accident, pretty likely if you've damaged yourself, camel back tacken off/misplaced etc.
2) A credit card provides no details to the police about emergency contact numbers ie pay as you go mobile for your wife, dads/mums number etc.
3) Tell them where you are/when you are due back - yes you should probably do this anyway, but would you prefer the wife etc to be ringing round all the hospitals unesesarily?
I didn't hink about it much when single and kid free, but having been involved in a serious road accident i think that it's not much to spend for a little piece of mind for your family, even if the new they get isn't good, at least they stand a better chance of getting it.
Driving Licence in wallet (Name, Address, DOB)
Blood group on key ring (blood donor 'free gift')
ICE number(s) in phone
Not alergic to anythign in a life threatening way so worst I'll wake up with is being a bit groggy if they give me NSAIDs
[i]You should always carry a phone with you regardless if its road or trail. Imagine you have a major mechanical out on the roads. What are you going to do?![/i]
That's a good point Hora. I imagine no one road bikes before 1990.
[i]2) A credit card provides no details to the police about emergency contact numbers ie pay as you go mobile for your wife, dads/mums number e[/i]
Would take them no time at all to get your details though.
Havent read all that but my thoughts when i read the post about the guy who was hit (My best regards to his family) was that i didnt think there was any point in it being spread all over the net.
All it did was make bikers think they were part of a community and feel good about themselves.
If i ride, my wife (Change for any responsible person) knows the basic route and where i am riding (100% if i am solo). What more do you need? Isnt that the basic requirement of any walker/climber/biker etc etc. Phones are good but prone to signal loss so only a back up.
[i]t i didnt think there was any point in it being spread all over the net.[/i]
Well at least one person thought they may have known who it was, turns out it wasn't, that was the idea not to make us feel good.
[i]Phones are good but prone to signal loss so only a back up. [/i]
Luckily you don't need a signal to retrieve the number.
Would take them no time at all to get your details though.
How the hell will they get my wifes pre pay non registered mobile number?
Luckily you don't need a signal to retrieve the number
As long as you don't have a pin on your phones start-up.
As far as i can make out anyone who thinks it's not a good idea is just being unnecessarily pedantic, that or they are always like this so no one really gives a flying f*** if they come home or not.
RoadID here - highly recommended. Quick delivery, looks OK, easy for anyone to find, won't get broken, easy enough to use everytime.
EDIT: when not wearing it, keep it wrapped round a suitable tube on your bike so you don't forget it :o)
[i]How the hell will they get my wifes pre pay non registered mobile number?[/i]
Do you have a home?
[i]As long as you don't have a pin on your phones start-up.[/i]
Clearly.
Jesus. Like we live in the most dangerous country in the world, and we all do such death defying stunts in the wilderness that we need to leave messages and carry phones and emergency beacons just in case.
Get over yourselves, you're big bloody blouses!
Never mind all the ****ing pads and helmets and space blankets that accompany every jaunt...
FFS.
Engraved my own dog tags at work....Sorted!
name stiched into tee shirt . ole school stylee 🙂
I always have my driving licence on me even if i dont have my wallet, My helmet also has my address and emergency contact details in as you never know
I have to, since I live in Beijing. Or if asked for ID, and have non on me, just have to sit in a police station until someone can get it from my house.
I do also, carry a card on me (in Chinese & English) telling ppl whom to contact in case of an emergency though etc.
I think the Road ID is good thing.
Hmmm - I don't always bother but I might well make a point of doing so for solo rides in the future
How the hell will they get my wifes pre pay non registered mobile number?Do you have a home?
As long as you don't have a pin on your phones start-up.
Clearly
Yes i have a home, and my wife is not always there, as she often go's to her mothers at weekend so i can go riding!!! Look this is stupid, you want the police to have to go to the hassle of trying to trace your address through a credit card. and/or contact details of your wife/partner, drive to your house, hang around for a few hours to see if wife/partner returns, just because you can't be bothered to get some id 🙄 I'm sure the police would prefer you took some.
OK think of it this way - your found on the road, a few hundres yards from your house after fall, your knocked out (plausable scenario)the police and ambulance attend. Your in back of ambulance, where is your bike going to go??? if you have ID the police could drop it back round your house if you only lived up the road, better than you trying to get it back later.
I find it very difficult to believe that people are arguing about this. We spend a small fortune on our bikes, and even more money on the rest of our gear. Most of us then either buy a mobile, or get one on contract, even more expense!
And yet, when it comes to spending a very small amount on ID, (or even just getting a card and writing contact details on it), people are reluctant to spending a few pounds!
It's something that I have only given a very brief thought about in the past, but I will be looking into getting something.
It's simple good manners to carry ID and ICE instructions. It weighs nothing and saves the emergency services time that they can spend on someone else.
when we turn out to road accidents we or the police always look for id. Sadly most motorcyclists and cyclists ive been to had none. At least with motorbikes they have a reg number. Even tho it may be stolen so we try find other id to verify details
[i]I'm sure the police would prefer you took some.[/i]
Of course they do makes it a lot easier but like I say they can get details from you credit card. Although as yuor rightly pointed out it's very flawed way.
[i]Your in back of ambulance, where is your bike going to go??? [/i]
We normally ask the Police to look after any property we can't safely take with us, anyone badly injured enough is grateful we took care of them and do not worry about their property too much. When they do recover they usually very happy to see it was taken somewhere secure and not left in their back yard while the wife is aware for the weekend.
Wallet with CC's and driver's licence, company ID etc on me all the time. Mobile too. But I think I'll get the Road ID thingy, hopefully I'll never need it.
My wife liked the idea of the road id so orderd one for me. If you use the following code it'll save a dollar!!
Coupon Number: ThanksPeter520906
Thought I'd bring this thread out of the doldrums by mentioning that RoadID are offering a 15% discount until end of the month - just got an email from them.