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Paul Dragan of Vancouver’s Reckless Bikes Recovers after Shooting

by Paul Newitt
Paul Dragan  ©  pedalmag.com
August 29, 2014 (Vancouver, BC) – In June, the industry was shocked by the news that Paul Dragan, owner of Vancouver’s Reckess Bikes chain, had been shot. The incident happened outside a Starbucks located directly across from his store at 125 Davie St. in Yaletown – read our report here.

Dragan lay on a sidewalk with what appeared to be fatal gun shot wounds and was rushed to hospital where he underwent successful surgery and began a slow recovery. His alleged assailant, Gerald Battersby, 61, an ex-employee and former tenant, was apprehended after exchanging more gunfire with police outside the nearby Science World Museum. Battersby was apparently shot while a police officer also received minor injuries.

“I don’t remember a single moment of the incident, including the day before, which happened to be my wife’s birthday,” Dragan tells BTC.

“All I remember is waking up in the hospital with about eight tubes in my body and my wife telling me I was okay but had been shot. I didn’t panic or have any anxiety over the event because I didn’t recall any of it.”

Family, friends and the people involved in saving Dragan’s life helped piece together the dramatic rescue that saved his life. “I am lucky to be alive and it’s a result of a series of events that allowed me to be here talking with you today,” he explains. “The fact that there was an emergency doctor on scene who knew exactly what to do, the luck of having a police officer immediately call in for medical assistance versus a 9-1-1 call, the fact that advanced paramedics who had the proper training arrived, and the transport to the trauma centre that was one of the few that could handle my situation are the only reasons I’m alive. If any one of those steps had not taken place I probably wouldn’t be here.”

Considering Dragan lost almost 80% of his blood volume during the shooting and flat-lined twice during transport to the trauma unit, it is amazing that he’s alive and recovering at home with his family.

“June and July are not the best months to get shot in the cycling industry,” he quips. “Bullets and bodies don’t mix well but I’m mobile and walking my dog daily. And if there is a positive to this, it’s that for the first time I can watch full coverage of the Tour de France.”

And he’s grateful to the people involved in his care and for the support received from customers, the community, and the cycling industry: “My team is doing a great job of keeping the stores running and I am humbled by the support from customers and suppliers. I am managing from home and am looking forward not backward. I have a new store dedicated to electric bikes, dedicated to fun, and I’m very excited about the future and getting back to it all.”

Dragan, 52, is a well-known industry veteran and a popular fixture in B.C.’s cycling scene. He served on the Bicycle Trade Association Canada (BTAC) board of directors and is a former president of the BC Bike Coalition. Dragan helped organize Vancouver’s Velo-City Global international event in 2012, and his three Reckless Bikes outlets are well regarded in the community.

Battersby faces five attempted murder charges for allegedly trying to shoot five police officers, and another one for allegedly shooting Dragan. Police have not confirmed the motive, but speculate that the shooting may have been triggered by a landlord-tenant dispute.





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