Cyclist killed by driver in Austin was MS150 rider

Triathlon Forum
1

I didn’t think this story could get anymore heartbreaking until I heard today that Gay Simmons was training for the Houston-Austin MS 150 ride taking place next weekend, an event for which riders raise money for the National MS Society.

I wanted to do something in Gay’s memory, so I made a small donation to her ride through this link: http://www.ms150.org/ms150/donate/ (Enter Gay Simmons in the rider name field). I thought there would be people on this forum who might be interested in doing the same. It’s really shaken me up that she lost her life while in training for this event.

Here’s a link to the news story about her death:
http://keyetv.com/topstories/local_story_107151300.html

2

I am very sadden with what has happened to the female cyclist yesterday during lunch. I have leaved in Austin, TX for the last 20 years and I have cycled on the Texas roads for over 17 years. I want to start a fund raiser and produce friendly signs on the Austin roads which are most frequent by cyclist to remind drivers and cyclist to be more careful. Please contact me and let me know if you would be able to help me in this effort directly. I mainly need help to get an approval from the city to be able to post these signs on the Austin roads. We will coordinate the fund raising and manufacturing efforts. I think that friendly signs on the side of the road with a cyclist on it will remind drivers that we all need to share the road. I want to turn this tragedy into something that can be positive for the cyclist and motorist alike for years to come. Also if you know someone who knows people on the city council who can help with this effort please feel free to forward this message to them. Thanks

3

TooFast,

Let me know about the signs. I’m interested in helping. I’ve had the same thought, mainly in Parmer Lane were I do most of my rides but I’m willing to help with efforts for signs throughout the most popular routes. e-mail at bat@prismnet.com

Thanks,

Carlos

4

TooFast, I’m interested- what did you have in mind? My email is zangezi99@hotmail.com or use the PM thingy here.

5

I will keep your emial on file and send you an update once we get this orginized.

6

I was very sorry to hear that Gay was struck and killed. My condolences to everyone in the Austin cycling community.

I’d like to suggest an immediate need for donations (please also support the MS150) - the family of 2 teen boys killed on a bike in southwest Houston on April 11 need assistance in paying for funeral expenses. The boys, cousins, were struck and killed while riding on the shoulder when a driver attempted to pass 4 cars, swerved back into the right lane, and struck the boys.

The Lamar Little League in Richmond has established a fund to assist the family.

An online donation page has been established at www.active.com/donate/Garcia-Rodriguez

Donations can also be made via mail to:
Garcia-Rodriguez Memorial Fund c/o Lamar Little League
P.O. Box 1101
Richmond, TX 77469

Donations can also be made to the Garcia-Rodriguez Memorial Fund at any Bank of America.

Media:
http://www.click2houston.com/newsarchive/8643472/detail.html

ANY contribution will be greatly appreciated.

7

I’m interested. Instead of just signs saying “share the road” I’m hoping we can put up signs that say “yield to bicycles in onramps” or something of the sort, assuming that bikes do have the right of way in this situation.

Sickening. I’ve ridden that stretch of road so many times and have always been lucky that I’m able to merge and find a huge gap in traffic. davis.bryce at gmail dot com.