Quad Cities Members,
A few times each year, I send out a tragic email to make everyone aware that someone on a bicycle was killed by a motorist. This is, unfortunately, one of those emails. I'd rather we never had to send one of these emails again. If you agree, add your name to the End Fatal Bike Crashes in Iowa Petition at https://actnow.io/9SzsUPb
I am sad and angry after hearing the news that Devin Estabrook was killed by a hit-and-run motorist 4:50 a.m. Monday, August 12 in the area of Highway 61 and 41st Street S. in Muscatine. The information we know about the fatal crash is very limited. It may take weeks or months for the investigation to be complete. What we know is the crash happened on a straight, flat, 4-lane road on the edge of Muscatine. Police said the driver of the vehicle and the cyclist were both headed north when the crash happened. The vehicle left the scene. There are still a lot of unanswered questions. We want a full and fair investigation of the crash and appropriate charges when they find the motorist.
Worse, on Tuesday, August 6th, mother and son, Heidi and Reid Burkle were bicycling on a county road around 8 PM after getting ice cream in Ely. Both sustained major injuries (a GoFundMe page has been established) after being struck from behind by a motorist who claimed he couldn't see due to the glare of the sun. I've heard of similar excuses, but the Iowa Supreme Court rejected the defense that the setting sun causes an emergency in a bike crash case in 2001. Nothing is more certain than the setting sun. If you can't see, pull over and stop driving before you hit someone.
I am extremely concerned about these back-to-back unsafe passing crashes. I am disturbed by the second hit-and-run fatal bike crash this year. It is time to end fatal bike crashes in Iowa. If you agree Kathy, add your name to our End Fatal Bike Crashes in Iowa Petition at https://actnow.io/9SzsUPb.
Our thoughts are with Mr. Estabrook's family and the Burkle family at this difficult time.
Keep moving forward,
Mark Wyatt
Executive Director/CEO
Iowa Bicycle Coalition/Iowa Bicycling Action Fund