KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – A memorial bike ride is set for this Sunday to honor Jeffrey Lillard, who was struck and killed while riding his bicycle to his job at Western Michigan University last year.
Lilliard was one of four cyclists killed last year on Kalamazoo County roads. Those four fatalities were the highest number of bike-involved deadly traffic crashes recorded for any county in the state in 2024. Kalamazoo County ranked eighth in terms of counties with the highest number of bike-involved crashes with 76.
The overall number of bike-involved traffic fatalities in the state rose in 2024 to 29, up five from 2023.
The memorial ride this Sunday is being hosted by Open Roads, a program geared toward local youth that provides bike repair apprenticeship and job skills training, along with free and low-cost bikes and bike repair services for students under 18.
The ride begins at the Open Roads building at 914 E. Vine Street, Kalamazoo at 11 a.m. The ride is called the “Dark Blue Journey” in honor of Lillard’s favorite color and will make stops at some of his favorite locations.
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