I don't bother with it on the phone because any time I'm out walking or riding I have a set of dogtags with wife and mom's numbers, plus my driver's license number. (Any cop checking the DL number will get the info that I have a CHL, and thus that there may be a gun somewhere on me or in my stuff that, if I'm not in any condition to answer questions, needs to be secured before the EMTs start cutting clothes off. Wife and mom also know to tell any legitimate emergency personnel where the gun is most likely to be.)

More important would be making sure all the ICE contacts have any relevant information; particularly things like any medications you might be on, (which needs to be updated ASAP when that changes, particularly since that's the most likely time for any problematic side effects to cause the sort of emergency where people might be checking with your contacts) any allergies, or preexisting conditions. If you include your boss or another coworker among those numbers, you might want to seal up a list of the relevant details in an envelope to be opened when an emergency arises, signed across the flap so you can inspect it on occasion to make sure they're not getting nosy.

Locally we have had 2 cyclists who fell and suffered concussions while riding solo with no ID. They ended up in the hospital. The medical people had a heck of a time finally identifying them. It seems to me carrying some form of identification is just prudent. I carry my cell phone and it has several people's numbers on there. I also carry an expired drivers license in my little "bike" wallet and I wear a road ID.

Good idea but how do you get to keep your expired DL? Every state I've lived in requires you to turn in your old DL, even if it's only being renewed.

In Texas they mail you the new one and tell you to trash the old one.

Some how I have manged to ride my bike 38,000 miles without a cell phone.

I have found 5 of them that someone lost on the road.

me too, and now I turn it off on most rides. But it's nice to have. For example, last weekend I should have called my wife to tell her I was stopping for dinner, and I didn't so I'm still in hot water. That's nice.

I carry my full wallet most of the time. Someone once mentioned that they carry their medical insurance card with them, and that seemed so smart that I just gave up on trying to decide what to carry and went with the full wallet. I guess I don't see too much problem giving a policeman my DL. It occupies their time and they get all confused about how it changes the situation. Truth is, it doesn't change anything, they still don't know me.

For the gals, those little Vera Bradley business card holders are just the right size to hold DL (or a copy) or ID, insurance cards, emergency $, and a credit card. Very small and flat, and easily fits in a pocket or the smallest underseat bag.

I also wear a Road ID bracelet, good for ICE contacts and any medical info. Never thought about including my DL# on it, but I'll add that next time. They also make a version that attaches to shoes, and a dogtag version. I wear the bracelet even on short rides around the block when I might not take the little Vera card case. Guess I really should take both.

My guess is that you don't have children with critical medical conditions that may require you to interact with a hospital ASAP - or go to the hospital on an emergency basis.

Right?

In that case, assuming you're still alive but unable to respond, the hospital has to pursue guardianship through the courts, a process that can take several days. The court-appointed guardian then makes medical decisions on your behalf.

And BTW, simply having ICE contacts listed may not be enough if none of your contacts are designated as having "power of attorney" in an advance directive you have drawn up and placed were they can find it. Legal guardianship must still be established before any major medical decisions can be made, but the court may show preference to appointing a guardian listed as one of your ICE contacts instead of a random stranger.

Meanwhile the hospital will assume you consent to any and all treatment at least in Kansas that is the law. SO a Durable Power of Attorney is a wise thing to have; here in Kansas it is assumed that the spouse has the authority to act on your behalf in most areas; I have heard of a few where the spouse has to get the court to appoint them guardian for the purpose of health care.

First things off..this is a horrible situation.

For those of you with smart phones or a lock on your cell phones, please note that unless you have the ability to tell them the combo while you may be incapacitated they won't be able to get to your ICE contact(s). I ride with no lock on my cell phone because it dawned on me that it wouldn't help anyone if they needed to use my phone to call home or whatever.

If the patient is unable to give consent and/or if a delay in treatment caused by obtaining consent will cause harm, then care will be given immediately. John Doe will get the urgent/lifesaving care that he needs.
For less-urgent treatment procedures, consent will be pursued; in Indiana, consent can be given by a spouse, parent, adult sibling or adult child, in no particular legal order. Good reason to be on good terms will the whole family.
If no family, and no health care representative or advance directive, then things can be complicated.

Maybe it would be helpful to point out that we are talking about two separate purposes for ID. One is so those who can help in an emergency get notified. The other is to provide satisfactory ID to a person like a law enforcement officer when required to do so.

In that vein, putting contact information in my cell phone is one thing I do. But, since that doesn't satisfy all requirements I also wear dog tags and carry picture ID. If it isn't attached to your body don't count on anyone ever seeing it.

Check your state laws to see what is required for positive ID during a law enforcement contact. It varies between states. Then decide whether being prepared for a quick ID and you are on your way, or not having required ID and being held until you can be positively identified is the way to go. Personal choice.

There seems to be a push for a national ID card. As a Libertarian I see how that conflicts with the 4th Amendment to the US Constitution. And as an ex-sheriff's deputy in Colorado, I do know that with just your full name and date of birth, the computer will say whether you have a clear and valid driver's license, any outstanding warrants, etc. that a trolling officer may be interested in.

Just the first step in a worldwide scheme leading towards confiscation of all titanium bicycles!

There is no requirement that anyone carry ID when strolling around town. Some states may require your BIKE to have a registration...but in terms of any law that requires you to actually carry an ID...not so. For riding a bike or walking the dog there is no law requiring you to carry ID. Nor do you even have to identify yourself unless the Officer has grounds for what is called a "Terry stop". They must have "reasonable suspicion" to even require you to identify yourself which is admittedly easy for an officer to make up if he/she chooses. But I completely agree on the need to carry ID.

We do agree on the need to carry ID. You are right there is no law requiring most people to carry an ID. But, there is a law in all states I think requiring you to positively identify yourself to law enforcement, and many other government officials for that matter, when contacted. Now if a person thinks they are being harassed or the officer did not have grounds to stop that person there are remedies under the law. While that is going on, if a person has not provided good ID and the officer chooses the person may spend some time in custody. On the other hand, if a person has good ID the whole thing becomes a minor inconvenience.

Man, did this thread get hijacked!

My sympathies to that woman who crashed and lost her husband in the same day. It's hard to imagine worse news.

I hope she has a speedy recovery and a strong social/familial support system to help her cope with her new reality. Truly tragic.

Not really, the incident was used as an illustration why it was important to have ID information readily available. We've explored that and, I think, pointed out that ID serves more than one purpose and that a person needs to check on the requirements in their state. But, no matter what, for your sake and that of friends of family as well as medical and law enforcement, you need to carry ID that meets all needs.

Yes, as long as you are medically unstable, implied consent is valid. But once you've been stabilized, things become different. Deciding whether or not to place a feeding tube, or withdraw ventilator support require explicit consent.

WHAT titanium bicycle? I don't even know anybody with a titanium bike. I got rid of mine long ago, along with all my guns...

One of my ex-wives was a Jehova's Witness. When we were married, she told me over and over again, that if anything should happen to her she was NOT to be given a blood transfusion. I didn't really understand the reasons why not, but I realized it was her belief and it was extremely important to her. I've wondered since then if many people who believe as she did don't get blood transfusions contrary to their consent. All in the name of saving a life, of course.

I'd make multiple entries. If you use the moniker "ICE", many people will not know what that means. I'd use "ICE", In Case of Emergency, EMERGENCY, Wife, Husband, daughter, son, home, work etc......

Uh, no. If you needed ID to walk down the street, how could anyone object to voter ID laws?

I also don't believe that there is ANY state that requires a citizen to provide ID simply because a police officer asks. They have to have a reason and that reason, at a minimum, has to meet Terry standards. Whether the suspicion is being an illegal alien, a thief or whatever, no police officer can require ID from somebody that is simply walking around and I think that's true of biking around. And IF a state made such a law it would very quickly be found to be unconstitutional. That's what I think and you'd have to quote the state and the statute to convince me otherwise...Always happy to learn...