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Independence, MO —
The day was centered on riding bicycles in memory of those who’ve died of cancer.
But shortly after 8 a.m. Saturday, one of their own would also lose his life, as he started the charity ride early in hopes of volunteering with his wife at a rest stop for the remainder of the event.
Independence resident Michael D. Forbes, 48, was struck by a vehicle on U.S. 24, west of Route H, and was killed as he participated in the fourth annual Freedom Ride as a member of the United We Ride Chapter of Kansas City.
While he was a well-known member of the local bicycling community, Forbes was riding alone on Saturday morning, having started the ride sometime between 5:30 and 6 a.m., leaving from his mother’s home near Missouri 78, said Dr. Richard Mark, an Independence dentist who participated in Saturday’s ride and is team captain of the local Bike MS effort.
The route taken by Forbes was one he and his cycling friends knew well and rode on frequently. Chris Pace, event coordinator for Saturday’s Freedom Ride, said drivers’ visibility is about 2 miles in the area of the accident, and Forbes had a 10-foot shoulder to ride on. He also was wearing all necessary safety equipment – including a helmet – worn by bicyclists, Mark said.
“He would’ve known the route by heart,” Mark said. “Once daylight breaks, you can start whenever, and at that time, there are usually few cars on the road, especially on a Saturday.”
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 32-year-old Scott A. Mocley of Lexington, Mo., was driving west in a 2002 Subaru when he struck the rear wheel of Forbes’ bicycle. An investigation and reconstruction of the crash is ongoing, and Highway Patrol officials have said they will subpoena Mocley’s phone records as part of the investigation.
Mark, who had known Forbes and his family for about 10 years, said Forbes wanted to start the ride sooner so he could finish early and volunteer at the Missouri 78 rest stop for the remainder of the day with his wife, Patty, who also is a bicyclist.
Forbes had already ridden his bike to Lexington, Mo., and was on his way back. He had called Patty to let her know his status shortly before the accident, Pace said.
Forbes was riding in the right lane of U.S. 24, according to Highway Patrol report, but Pace said as local cyclists like Forbes rode along U.S. 24 on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, they always rode along the shoulders.
The day was centered on riding bicycles in memory of those who’ve died of cancer.
But shortly after 8 a.m. Saturday, one of their own would also lose his life, as he started the charity ride early in hopes of volunteering with his wife at a rest stop for the remainder of the event.
Independence resident Michael D. Forbes, 48, was struck by a vehicle on U.S. 24, west of Route H, and was killed as he participated in the fourth annual Freedom Ride as a member of the United We Ride Chapter of Kansas City.
While he was a well-known member of the local bicycling community, Forbes was riding alone on Saturday morning, having started the ride sometime between 5:30 and 6 a.m., leaving from his mother’s home near Missouri 78, said Dr. Richard Mark, an Independence dentist who participated in Saturday’s ride and is team captain of the local Bike MS effort.
The route taken by Forbes was one he and his cycling friends knew well and rode on frequently. Chris Pace, event coordinator for Saturday’s Freedom Ride, said drivers’ visibility is about 2 miles in the area of the accident, and Forbes had a 10-foot shoulder to ride on. He also was wearing all necessary safety equipment – including a helmet – worn by bicyclists, Mark said.
“He would’ve known the route by heart,” Mark said. “Once daylight breaks, you can start whenever, and at that time, there are usually few cars on the road, especially on a Saturday.”
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 32-year-old Scott A. Mocley of Lexington, Mo., was driving west in a 2002 Subaru when he struck the rear wheel of Forbes’ bicycle. An investigation and reconstruction of the crash is ongoing, and Highway Patrol officials have said they will subpoena Mocley’s phone records as part of the investigation.
Mark, who had known Forbes and his family for about 10 years, said Forbes wanted to start the ride sooner so he could finish early and volunteer at the Missouri 78 rest stop for the remainder of the day with his wife, Patty, who also is a bicyclist.
Forbes had already ridden his bike to Lexington, Mo., and was on his way back. He had called Patty to let her know his status shortly before the accident, Pace said.
Forbes was riding in the right lane of U.S. 24, according to Highway Patrol report, but Pace said as local cyclists like Forbes rode along U.S. 24 on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, they always rode along the shoulders.
“We never, ever, ever get on the road – we’re always on the shoulder,” Pace said. “We’ve never seen Michael ride on the road of 24 Highway, and if we did see someone ride on the road, we would yell at them. We know that it’s us and the asphalt out there.
“The shoulder is actually better to ride on than the road itself. The shoulder was clean and perfect – it was ready for this ride.”
Coincidentally, Patty Forbes also had been hit by a vehicle about a year ago when she and her husband were riding east on Truman Road. Mark said Patty’s recovery had been a long one.
“It’s so important for all drivers to be paying attention to what they’re doing: They’re driving,” Mark said. “There are so many distractions inside a vehicle, and we often take driving for granted, until the next thing you know, something happens.”
While the accident took place outside of Independence city limits, Forbes’ death comes at a time when the City Council has worked to raise awareness of local bicyclists. The council ad-hoc Bicycle Transportation Committee formed last August and has researched the city’s bicycle transportation needs.
With the help of At-Large City Council Member Jim Schultz, who also is chairman of the Bicycle Transportation Committee, Pace said local cyclists would like to start a campaign regarding distracted driving and the importance of paying attention to pedestrians, runners, bicyclists and motorcyclists.
Mark described Forbes as “an early riser who liked to get things done,” as well as a “Jack-of-all-trades.” Forbes had been a member of the MS Team for at least 10 years, and Mark said he last saw Forbes about a week-and-half-ago when Forbes fixed an air conditioning issue at Mark’s house.
“If you needed something done, he could get it done – we’d hired him to work at our house several times,” Mark said. “He was always someone who was friendly and willing to help out. He enjoyed the challenge of cycling, and it was one of his favorite hobbies.
“It’s been a shock. It’s hard for us to believe it’s real.”
In an email on Sunday, Pace said the local cycling community is establishing a fund to help with burial expenses. Several local bike stores are accepting donations, and several ride shirts also will be available.
“... It breaks everybody’s heart,” Pace said of Forbes’ death. “It has been such an emotional blow that we have all been numb. ... God bless Mike, as he was a great friend to everyone who knew him, and he will be missed.”
