KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — An estimated 800 to 900 cyclists appeared Tuesday evening in near-perfect conditions to complete the ride started by of nine members of the Chain Gang who were run down by a man in a pickup last week.
Lance Armstrong, the world-famous cyclist who won multiple Tour de France titles before having those victories stripped due to doping, led a group from the bike club first to visit the survivors of last Tuesday’s incident on North Westnedge Avenue in their hospital rooms before joining the other cyclists at the former campus of Nazareth College.
He also met with some of the family members of some of those who did not survive.
Armstrong acknowledged that everyone might not be happy he was there, but said after he had heard what happened here that he could not stay away. He said all bikers who have been riding for a while have experienced life-threatening moments when there were close calls or minor collisions.
Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell put on his Kalamazoo Bike Club jersey and joined in the ride, welcoming Armstrong to the community and urging everyone to be safe. Hopewell also said it’s important that we don’t let these horrific incidents keep us from living our lives.
Several bikers we talked to mentioned that, since last week, they had noticed motorists have been more courteous, giving them a wider berth and doing the little things that make sharing the same streets safer since last Tuesday.
Representatives from bike groups all over the state came to participate and show their support for Kalamazoo’s bike clubs and for legislation and changes in road construction that would improve safety for bike riders and other forms of transportation on public streets.
They pedaled to the spot where the five died and four were injured just north of Markin Glen Park, and then continued to Plainwell making a big circle back to the Nazareth Campus. It was a train of bikes that took five minutes to pass by.
Kalamazoo Strong is planning another ride on Sunday. They’re inviting everyone to particiapte.
