One only has to read the headlines to realize that greater enforcement and driver education is needed here in Texas and across the nation. I have decided to start posting headlines featuring cyclist fatalities from collisions with motorists. I am doing this for two reasons: 1) to honor the cyclists who lost their lives doing what they love, and 2) to raise awareness that these fatalities demand increased education about a motorist's responsibilities to cyclists and other road users as well as enforcement of traffic laws. Thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends and communities of the following cyclists who were killed in Lincoln, Nebraska and Elon, North Carolina:
Bicyclist dies after collision with car at 23rd and Q
By CATHERINE HUDDLE / Lincoln Journal Star
Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 - 04:39:15 pm CDT
Myles Davis Jr. was riding his bike Monday morning when he collided with a car at 23rd and Q streets. Davis, 46, was taken to BryanLGH Medical Center West, where he was pronounced dead. “He rode his bike everywhere, he just loved it,” said friend Derek Shotkoski. “It was his life.” Shotkoski said he met Davis about three years ago, when Davis lived in a building he managed, and they worked together at Lincoln Industries. Lincoln Police Officer Katie Flood said Davis was riding south on 23rd Street, and Cristie Salinas, 49, of 840 Robert St., was driving a Volkswagen Jetta west on Q Street when the accident happened just before 6 a.m. Flood said police likely would not issue a ticket because Davis had a stop sign.
Woman charged with professor's death
April 7, 2009 - 3:48 PM
Times-News
"ELON - A driver who struck and killed an Elon University professor while he was riding a bicycle on the shoulder of University Drive was charged Tuesday.Elon Police Department charged Mary Davis Murphy, 82, of Hebron Church Road, Mebane, with misdemeanor death by vehicle, according to a news release. Murphy was driving a 2005 Buick at the time of the incident, which happened at 6:47 p.m. Friday. Murphy's car crossed over onto the shoulder about eight-tenths of a mile past where N.C. 87, Haggard Avenue and University Drive meet and where Edgar "Eugene" Gooch, 57, of Westover Terrace, Burlington, was riding a bicycle. Gooch, a professor and specialist in organic chemistry, was hired to teach at Elon University in 1988. A memorial service was held for him at Elon Community Church Tuesday morning."
