Cyclist killed during charity ride.

[FlyingScot]

This is the ride I was doing. Cannot tell you how it has devastated all of us.

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content...t.html?sid=101

[OakLeaf]

Oh FS I'm so glad it wasn't you.

Saw that, cross-posted. I'm so filled with sadness and rage.

[PamNY]

That is tragic. I am so sorry.

[Miranda]

So sorry for all involved.

I couldn't read the full story due to starting to cry. The lady training for her event, and how excited she was, hit too close to home. It makes me think here shortyly will be one year since my crash (dog tho, not vehicle) that has left me with some pernament damage to my body.

My injuries have bothered me that I have not been able to ride all of this season. The only thing that has kept me saine is the thought of something like your post. I wonder if the dog had not stopped my ride, could there have been worse down the route for me. So, it was just not meant to be.

Unfortunately none of know when "our number is up". I hope the lady is riding her heart out on heaven's smooth streets paved with gold that are surely in cycling heaven idiot driver and stray dog free.

Miranda

[buffybike]

Damn, that is so tragic. I kinow stories like this probably make cyclists not want to ride the streets, but it's my personal opinion that we must continue to put ourselves out there if only so that vehicles will have to learn to adapt to our presence. If the numbers are there, perhaps govt will take more steps to protect us. When I got hit by a car, a lot of (non-riding)friends and family thought I should re-think my "hobby". But it just made me want to take to the road more--if they don't get used to seeing me on the road, they'll never learn to share it.

[OakLeaf]

I can't imagine what other steps government could have taken to protect these riders. These are rural roads, so closing them entirely wasn't an option.

As I said in the other thread, there have to be consequences. It can't depend on some jury's interpretation of what the driver might have been thinking at the time.

[smilingcat]

The driver was negligent in his driving and failing to stop per highway troopers instruction. How is this different than the person who was negligently runover by a driver distracted in his vehicle? (re: Spaniard who became paralyzed from waist down while riding RAAM was it?) The one who ran over the Spaniard was not charged with a crime.

And did the driver who failed to follow the troopers instruction aim his truck at the woman and then claim that he swerved to avoid her?

So tragic... Our culture and many others need to get away from the car-centric/me first view of society. More the reason why gas/diesel prices should be $10/gallon for personal cars.

----------------
this brings up an interesting question.

What is law?

Ans: It is just a codified set of acceptable behavior at that particular point in time.

It has nothing to say about what is just or unjust. A good example is a black person was counted 3/5 of a white person over 200 years ago. It was also acceptable to have indentured servants and own slaves.

Realizing what law is, if it is acceptable not to punish a car driver for negligent driving and killing person because it is considered acceptable behavior by the majority, only thing we can do is to change the perception that it is not alright.

[FlyingScot]

No answers so far as to if or what charges will be leveled against the pickup driver. No report either on the "brakes failed" theory which pretty much none of us believe.
Any cyclists in the Columbus, Ohio area. Michelle's funeral is Saturday. The family is asking for cyclists to meet at the church and ride in procession from the church to the cemetery(app. 5 miles). We are trying to get the word out to everyone. I am also working to get as many riders from OSU medical center who rode the Pelotonia to wear our jerseys on the ride to show our unity.
I think this will be a huge comfort to her family as well as a way for us to debrief for lack of a better word.I hope there is a huge turnout!

[Bike Chick]

What a wonderful tribute.

[badgercat]

Any cyclists in the Columbus, Ohio area. Michelle's funeral is Saturday. The family is asking for cyclists to meet at the church and ride in procession from the church to the cemetery(app. 5 miles). We are trying to get the word out to everyone. I am also working to get as many riders from OSU medical center who rode the Pelotonia to wear our jerseys on the ride to show our unity.
I think this will be a huge comfort to her family as well as a way for us to debrief for lack of a better word.I hope there is a huge turnout!

Beautiful idea. Just reading about it ahead of time has me getting misty eyed.

[invsblwmn]

Each day living and riding is a blessing. I never take that for granted anymore. Breathe, rejoice, experience each day...

[OakLeaf]

That sounds beautiful. I won't be able to attend the memorial, but here are details if anyone else wants to go.

Her funeral will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1051 S. Waggoner Road, Reynoldsburg. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 11539 National Road SW, Pataskala, OH. Cyclists are invited to meet at the church and ride to Holy Cross Cemetery in honor of Shelli. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Pelotonia; www.Pelotonia.org (search Kazlausky; Rider ID #62483), or 351 Nationwide Blvd., Columbus, Ohio 43215. Messages may be sent to her family by visiting www.cotnerfuneralhome.com

[gabriellesca]

Each day living and riding is a blessing. I never take that for granted anymore. Breathe, rejoice, experience each day...

AMEN - such a tragic and horrible story! Every single time I finish a ride, even a small one, I thank God I'm alive and okay! (paranoid, yes - but this makes me all that more aware.)

[FlyingScot]

Update.

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content...h.html?sid=101

[FlyingScot]

So I heard today that they are expecting upwards of 1,000 cyclists leading the processional from the church to the cemetery. They are staging us at a different place now to accommodate everyone. In addition to the normal police escort for funerals there is also going to be a police escort for us BACK to the staging area. How cool is that?!