Few athletes who began their favorite sport as a child could say they are still doing it 70 years later.
But Dr. Glenn Cosh, 75, is just as passionate about cycling today as he was decades ago when he was a newspaper delivery boy in South Jersey. Sure, over the years his cycling tapered off while he served in the Air Force and he gave in to fads, like “that jogging thing” that was all the rage in the 1960s and 1970s. That’s when Cosh realized what fitness guru George Sheehan meant when he said:
“When I run, I’m an old man. When I cycle, I’m a kid again.”
Since he started his private practice as a board-certified family physician in the late 1960s, Cosh has extolled the virtues of physical activity — particularly cycling — as the cornerstone of good health.
His first book, “Cycling in the Slow Lane,” (GMC Cycling; 1993) encouraged families and noncyclists to get involved with biking no matter their age or health status. His follow-up book, “A New Customized Prescription for Cycling,” tailors a ride like a treatment plan, and deals with fears associated with mixing bikes and cars.
Q: What were some reasons people still weren’t getting on bikes after your first book was published?
A: The fear factor of getting hurt, falling off the bike or getting hit by a car. I go into the hazards of motorists, so readers understand we are not equals in those situations. This new book discusses how best to avoid accidents because we didn’t have all that kind of data available in the early ’90s: 12 percent of all road accidents happen when the vehicle turns into a bicycle lane either going or coming. Another 7 percent occur when a cyclist turns into a path of a vehicle, and 8.5 percent occur where a vehicle overtakes a cyclist on the road.
Q: What are the safest places to ride at various skill levels?
A: Bike paths are still a safer way of traveling than fighting traffic congestion on busy streets. Most newer paths are 6 to 10 feet wide, smoothly paved and well marked with signs alerting cyclists what to anticipate ahead. Another safe option is “rail trails,” or the conversion of unused and abandoned railroads into bike and pedestrian paths.
Look for cities with a welcome sign for cyclists such as “a bicycle friendly community.” To get that rating (from the Bikes Belong and World Wheels), cities are judged on engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement and evaluation of their biking efforts.
Sidewalks get a bad rap because bike purists say they are for pedestrians. But they are a safer venue for kids, especially under 10.
Q: Any other warnings for bicyclists?
A: A few years ago, I was at a medical meeting in Anchorage, and a friend let me borrow his wife’s bike. I proceeded down a long hill, and the stem came off the bike. I went over the handlebars and broke my arm. I had to walk 14 miles back up that mountain with said broken bone.
I learned that if you are going to use a rental bike or any other bike but your own, examine it very closely and make sure it’s in good condition. At the time, I thought that if someone was offering it to me, then it had to be in good shape.
Sheba R. Wheeler: 303-954-1283 or swheeler@denverpost.com.
Physician’s prescription for safe cycling
Dr. Glenn Cosh has been cycling for most of his 75 years. Here are some tips from his latest book, “A New Customized Prescription for Cycling”:
1) Cyclists should not proceed if a car signal is on or if the vehicle is about to turn. Make eye contact with the motorist. Check the rearview mirror or turn to look back, then slow and stop until the vehicle passes or the motorist waves you on.
2) In heavy traffic, cyclists need to use sidewalks when they are available.
3) Cyclists should ride on the extreme shoulder and use a rearview mirror. All bikes should be equipped with lights and reflective gear.
4) Cyclists should stop and wait until traffic clears, irrespective of the signal light, use hand signs and stop at all intersections until traffic is clear.
5) Cyclists must stop before entering any roadway. Mid-block crashes usually involve children coming out of their driveways, making it one of the leading causes of death for kids.
6) After checking rear traffic, cyclists should clear parked vehicles by at least 3 feet or more.
7) Cyclists should slow down before changing lanes, whether on a street or a path, and keep a safe distance from any vehicle, parked or traveling.
