(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)
Marilyn Hayward, owner of Coventry Cycle Works in Southeast Portland, is in the Intensive Care Unit at Legacy Hospital in Portland today following a collision she was involved in while bicycling in Cornelius this morning.
According to The Oregonian, the collision happened around 10:00 am at the intersection of N. Adair and 10th (about 24 miles west of downtown Portland). They are reporting that a preliminary investigation showed that Hayward was bicycling west on Adair and the person operating the Prius was driving south on 10th.
A Cornelius fire department spokesman told The Oregonian that Hayward was unconscious when they arrived.
I have been contacted by Andy Pollack, a professional acquaintance of Marilyn’s who is acting as her public advocate at this time. Pollack told me a few minutes ago that Marilyn is still in the ICU with serious head trauma. He also added that the police have not been able to track down any close friends or relatives of Marilyn’s and — depending on how her condition changes — they will need someone to make decisions on her behalf. If you are a close friend of her and/or know people who are, please contact Mr. Pollack at (503) 473-8180. (UPDATE: Marilyn is now being supported by many friends and family members. Thank you. Stay tuned for more updates — See below.)
(Photo: Cornelius Fire Dept.)
This is such sad news. Marilyn is a very outgoing advocate for bicycling and for safety. I’ve known her for years and she is always so supportive of BikePortland and has plenty of smiles and good vibes to share. Marilyn survived a bout with cancer in 2005 and credited bicycling with helping to save her life. She’s known to many by her nickname of “Tweety,” and has logged many thousands of miles throughout Oregon on her Bachetta recumbent. In 2009, she took over ownership of Coventry Cycle Works, a shop we profiled (along with Marilyn) back in 2010. In 2011, Marilyn joined a team of advocates from Oregon at the National Bike Summit and she has completed the week-long Cycle Oregon ride many times.
Please think good thoughts and please contact Mr. Pollack at (503) 473-8180 if you can help lead the police to her closest friends and/or family members.
UPDATE: 8/7, 12:10 pm: Marilyn’s advocate, Andrew Pollack, just posted the comment below:
“I just spoke to the ICU East Head Trauma unit at Legacy Emmanual. Marilyn will be discharged to a floor unit in the hospital for further recovery today or early tomorrow. It’s too early to know if there is any brain injury, but moving to a less intensive unit is a very good sign.
I was able to locate her petsitter, so her birds will be taken care of while she is in the hospital.
Her employees at her bike shop are all informed on the situation and will hold the business together.
Marilyn is surrounded by a wonderful group of people who are supporting both her recovery and her bike shop.
Marilyn’s ICU nurse said you can now send cards and flowers. The address is
Legacy Emmanual Hospital
2801 N. Gantenbein
Portland, OR 97227
Attn: Marilyn HaywardI’m grateful how quickly people have come together to support Marilyn.”