Why cyclists shouldn't smoke...

[zakur]

...especially while riding. Story

An 82-year-old man on a bicycle who thought his cigarette was extinguished caught fire Tuesday afternoon along North 21st Street.

Oliver J. Sewell, 82, of Newark, was riding his bicycle along the 1000 block of North 21st Street at about 2:22 p.m. when his shirt caught fire, Newark police and firefighters said.

Sewell had been smoking a cigarette, and thought it was extinguished when he put it in a container in his shirt pocket, said Linda Mitchell, Sewell's daughter. Sewell appeared to suffer second- and third-degree burns on his side and was transported by ambulance to Licking Memorial Hospital, Newark police and firefighters said.

[...]

Mitchell, 52, of Newark, said the nylon jacket her father wore immediately caught fire and that, combined with wind fanned by riding the bicycle, intensified the fire.

My first thought was the same as the young eyewitness quoted in the article: "Why didn't he stop, drop, and roll?"

 

[JAR]

My first thought was the same as the young eyewitness quoted in the article: "Why didn't he stop, drop, and roll?"

Thanks for reminding me of that rule. I'd forgotten that that is what a person is supposed to do when he or she catches on fire. I learned that in school a long time ago and had forgotten about it.

 

[J Coplen]

I learned to not smoke while riding. Riding my bike has actually helped me cut back on my smoking. The high I get after riding is great. My body actually exercised. Feels good!

 

[WildCat]

The only smoker in the world who doesn't just throw his butt on the ground, and this is what happens. Oh, the injustice of it all!