dlester

I finally broke down and bought a RoadID, which I should have done long ago. If you are thinking of getting one, here is a courtesy $1 off code:

ThanksDonaldL791817

chandltp

I know there are benefits to the RoadID, but I just bought a dog tag (uhh.. literally I think) out of one of those machines with my name, phone, and my wife's contact information. I think it was $5

jbman100

I used my old dog tags from the Army with the POC info on the other side. Clear coated it and it cost me maybe a nickel. Works just as well.

kjc9640

Smart move, I have had mine for a long time.

MIH-Dave

I'm seriously considering starting to bike commute when I start a new position in August. As part of that transition, I've decided to get one as well. How was your experience with them from beginning to end?

wild1

There are many places that will make custom dog tags saying whatever you want, a set of two for less than $10. That's what I use. Put one on my suitcase, use the other around my neck.

IAmCosmo

I just got a Road ID for myself and my father in law. The whole transaction went smoothly. Placed the order online on a Tuesday, could preview it and check for spelling and all that before finalizing the order. Got it Friday. Worn it every time I've ridden since then.

hammond9705

+1 It's cheaper, and lasts forever. Seems to me to be a better solution for most people

DoubleTap

My family got me a RoadID for Father's Day, and I like it. Wrist style is very comfortable, never know I have it on, and it makes them feel better knowing I'm wearing it.

RiverHills

Seems to me that the web/mesh bracelet would be wet with sweat after a ride or workout which would be very gross and annoying. The rubber bracelet, on the other hand, costs a fortune.

DoubleTap

I've ridden with the mesh one up to 75 miles at a time and haven't had any problem with it getting sweat soaked, and I sweat a lot. It just doesn't seem to soak much up.

zoste

Seriously...we are involved in a hobby where the costs can be astronomical and you guys are concerned about saving the difference between a twenty dollar interactive ID bracelet and a five dollar pseudo-dog tag? I ponied up for the RoadID interactive and can change the pertinent information. I guess it depends on what changes might be in your future. I knew when I bought it that I was going to move across the country and would be changing my doctors and my address. Now that I'm planning on getting married I'll be able to change my contact information. Absolutely worth a couple bucks a year to me, but whatever works for you.

Never had any trouble with sweat saturating the less expensive bracelet.

RiverHills

Excellent point!

dlester

I don't actually have mine yet since I just ordered it, but I did get my email this morning letting me know it had shipped, so I should be seeing it soon.

I had some concerns similar to some others posting here about the wrist saturation. I even worried about something more vain as I didn't want a funny wrist tan line. I didn't want their dog tag flavor because I just hate having things around my neck (I really hated dog tags when I was in the military).

Ultimately I decided to get the shoe model. I never ride without them, and in spite of comments I have read from people about getting hit and having shoes knocked off of them I am content this is a statistically insignificant possibility and I would likely be dead if hit that hard anyway. My wife worries a lot when I am riding and I figure this can give her a little peace of mind.

In any event, I didn't intend to have a debate on the merits of RoadID vs dog tags vs PetSmart tags, etc. I just had no use for 20 instances of $1 off so I thought I would share with anyone here who was interested.

Daniel Frost

We have nothing like that down here in New Zealand. I have been looking into different options but have not been successful as of yet. How much do RoadID cost you?

RiverHills

www.roadid.com

You can use it anywhere in the world there is an internet connection or active phone line.

chandltp

I usually do a cost / benefit analysis when I make a purchase. I didn't see that the additional cost for the Road ID provided any benefits that I wanted. I carry my wallet. The dog tag's only purpose is so that if I get carried off on a stretcher unconscious, they can call my wife. Besides, my bike's primary purpose is transportation. I try to keep my transportation costs minimal.

Mr. Beanz

Yeah, sure! Check back in after the wedding!

wild1

Hey, whatever you are happy with. I just didn't see the point in spending $20 or $30 when $5 works.

I wouldn't just randomly flush a $20 because it's "only $20". I can put that money toward something that does matter.

Seems like a silly thing to argue about!

wxduff

I'm an EMT, and I know that we are trained to look for these things. But honestly I'm a bit skeptical.

I mean, how many non bikers know that that thing on your wrist is an ID, or that there is a sticker in your helmet with all my information (what I currently do.) If your messed up bad enough where you can't tell me that info yourself, I'm a very, very, very busy EMT and I'm not looking around for ID. I'm doing my best to keep you alive until we link up with paramedics. Most of the things we do in an accident this bad requires little information about the patient.

A - Airway, do you have one.
B - Breathing, are you doing it sufficiently
C - Circulation, where are you bleeding, and how do I stop it.

Paramedics might want to know if you are allergic to certain meds, but even then they usually don't have the time to check or call a number, and get you pin or whatever in. They are working non-stop to control the situation.

I still support the idea, I just have difficulty understanding how they are an effective tool. I just hope if I ever get in an accident I'm conscious, with someone who knows me well, or they find my helmet sticker.

chasmm

I think you have a right to be skeptical. And I know one experience doesn't make a "trend", but...

I'm a RoadID customer. I have the Elite (rubber/silicon) wristband with the Interactive subscription. I went with the Elite because I like that band's looks better than the nylon/velcro one. I signed up for the Interactive version because I'm on a lot of meds and I like the idea of being able to have all my info available, if needed. It's also likely that my meds will change as I get back into a better shape (other than round).

I was involved with a minor crash back in May. I didn't lose consciousness, but was required by the ride organizers to go to the hospital via ambulance. Neither of the EMTs in the ambulance, nor the triage nurses at the hospital were interested in using my RoadID to get info, espcially since I was able to answer MOST of their questions. I did use it, however, to get the rest of the info I couldn't remember, or didnt' have readily available, such as insurance data, meds quantities and names, etc.

I think that the EMTs awareness of this type of identification will only increase, and it can't really hurt to have it, and it might help save your life some day. I'm currently unemployed and really don't look to spend any more than necessary. However that $20-$30 does feel like it's worth it. I know that I ride more confidently, and my family appreciates that I've taken some steps to be "safer", especially since I do a lot of solo riding.

Yeah, you could get a $5 dogtag, and you can find cheaper alternatives. For me, the selling point was the ability to have access to my info, either via web or phone. I'm not putting any of the alternatives down, but I recommend that everyone ride with some sort of ID...even more so if they have any type of medical issues.

Charles

IAmCosmo

I was curious about the one that you have to get on the internet for as well. I didn't go that route. Mine has my name, year of birth, emergency contact numbers, and "no known allergies" on it. I figure that with that info anyone helping me can at least get me through the critical part.

Greg_R

A dog tag will have your name, an emergency contact phone #, and maybe 1 more line (no penecillin, etc.). The RoadID (full version) has all of this on the bracelet and then allows the responder to call and get a full medical history of the patient (medical conditions, medications, major surgeries, doctors, emergency contacts, allergies, etc., etc.). IMO they are different products. You might as well just carry your drivers license and a sticky-note with a contact phone # (the super-cheapest option) if you just want some form of identification.

dlester

I am also in the camp that if it isn't printed on the tag it isn't going to be of any real use in an emergency. I didn't opt for the interactive model. It is a good idea in concept, but I work for a medical facility and I know in an ER they will use anything useful they learn by looking you over, but they aren't likely to go log in somewhere on the off chance they will find helpful information.

Steve530

I bought a RoadID because I didn't want to risk losing my wallet. I figure it's cheaper to replace a RoadID than the contents of my wallet. That's the benefit for me.

Of course, if you're using the bike for transportation, then I guess you'll need your wallet when you get there. Other identification would be redundant and of no benefit to you.