Honor Guard Ride

After a south-Texas-area couple was killed riding their tandem last week, almost 300 cyclists turned out for a silent ride to honor the pair.

Cyclists line up across the street from the church in Boerne, Tex., where the memorial service for two, killed cyclists was taking place.

I’ve never seen people attending a memorial service wearing cycling jerseys with dress pants and skirts, but mixed among family members were members of the cycling family, filing into a church to remember a couple killed in Helotes, Tex., last week. Across the street, lined up two to three people deep, was a large group of even more cyclists – most of them strangers – standing with their bikes, helmets in hand. They were silent, except for the occasional whisper of, “It could have been any of us” and murmurings of agreement offered in response.

Last Thursday, Greg and Alex Bruehler were riding their tandem on a wide shoulder when they were struck from behind by a truck and dragged 200 feet. The truck was apparently overcorrecting after it had drifted. The driver, most likely, will not be charged with anything. (Click here to read the related San Antonio Express News story.)

The comments left on the Express News articles related to the incident are telling. Most people came down on one of two sides: 1. Cyclists should never ride on roads with such high speed limits (65 mph); or 2. The driver should be charged and motorists need to share the road. The other big argument I read was that cars and bicycles were never made to share the same road, and therefore should not.

As you may know, Gov. Rick Perry of Texas recently vetoed a safe passing bill despite overwhelming support from industry and both parties in the legislature. No one really knows why he did that, but I don’t think the bill would have helped in this instance. Sometimes I catch myself driving in a way that is not entirely alert. As a cyclist, I am far from reckless behind the wheel, but I’ve caught myself not paying attention to shoulders and bike lanes. I don’t believe that a safe passing bill will stop people from toggling their iPods, texting or drifting into a shoulder when talking to a car full of passengers.

What I do hope a safe passing bill will accomplish is to deter drivers who run cyclists off the road for sport or who pass us with three inches instead of three feet. They need to know that getting caught passing us (and motorcyclists, farm equipment, runners, etc.) so closely could be just as bad for their wallet and driving record as getting caught speeding.

Though it will never happen, I have an additional solution. I think we should incorporate a cycling day into driver’s ed so that new, young drivers understand what we cyclists deal with riding on roads alongside careless motorists. I think it would be even safer than letting a 16-year-old on a highway for the first time. Local bike shops could sponsor the day: They would teach a brief class, supply the bikes, offer SAG support and lead the group of students on flat roads with wide shoulders and low speed limits. Experiencing cars whizzing by their ears will hopefully get their attention more poignantly than some lame DPS movie made in the 80s.

As always, cyclists have to take responsibility for their own safety as much as possible. As I drove home last night, I nearly hit a cyclist. It was completely dark and she was riding without any rear lights or reflectors. It was only when her white shirt was illuminated by headlights that I saw her. I think the near miss spooked us equally. I wanted to stop and apologize as much as I wanted to stop and yell at her for being irresponsible. After the memorial ride, I was not only driving slow, I was specifically looking for cyclists riding home after the event, but I don’t see well at night.

Unfortunately, I know that’s not the only cycling memorial I will ever attend, though I wish it could be both my first and last. I am pleased that the community turned out in force despite the last-minute call to action. Greg’s parents walked along the line of cyclists thanking them. Standing off to the side, watching silently, was the seven-year-old, now-orphaned daughter of the couple.

As they said that evening, it could have been any of us.