Memorial service is somber reminder of bicycle/vehicle safety

August 31, 2007

All it takes is just a moment to answer a cell phone call, change the radio station, turn to face a passenger or let your mind wander.

All it takes is just a moment to end a life while behind the wheel of a car.

UF graduate student Welch McNair Bostick III was a semester away from receiving his doctoral degree from the agricultural and biological engineering department when he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle along Williston Road on Aug. 27. Bostick died on Aug. 28, leaving behind his wife, Carmen, and a 10-month-old son, Luca.

An informal memorial service for Bostick will be held today at 9 a.m., near the west entrance of Rogers Hall. His family, including his wife, son, father, mother and sister, will attend. Bostick’s death has prompted increased awareness of bicycle safety for those who knew him.

“It has helped make everyone in the department more aware of the reality of dangers that we face when we ride bicycles,” said James Jones, a distinguished professor in agricultural and biological engineering, and a teacher of Bostick.

Jawoo Koo, a fellow student and friend of Bostick, said the accident has changed his view on bike safety.

“I saw a car driving through bike lanes and I wanted to call a cop right away to ticket it,” Koo said.

James Leary, a member of Bostick’s department, has been involved in two vehicle-bicycle crashes. The undergraduate adviser says both resulted in broken bones, surgery and extensive rehabilitation.

Leary is convinced the first driver who hit him just didn’t see him.

Leary is a lucky one. In the past year, Bostick was not the only student bicyclist killed. Henry Crane, 21, died after being struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Archer Road and SW 16th Avenue.

Jon Lizaso, a post-doctoral associate in agricultural and biological engineering, and friend of Bostick’s family, said he thinks people just don’t see bicyclists, even in the daylight.

“The cruise control of your brain is looking for cars, trucks, buses,” he said.

Lizaso is the coordinator of today’s memorial service, and has been instrumental in promoting bicycle safety in Gainesville.

Laura Hallam, executive director of the Florida Bicycle Association, said most students are not aware that bicycles are considered vehicles.

“As a bicyclist on a roadway, you are the driver of a vehicle and are responsible for complying with all traffic laws,” she said.

The University Police Web site reports that in 2003, 17 bicycle accidents were reported on campus — 11 of those involved injury. This number was up from 2002, which saw 11 accidents reported, with nine injuries.

UPD Lt. Robert Wagner said the most important information he can give to bicyclists is to be aware of the Florida traffic laws for bicyclists. He also urged them not to assume that a car will see them, to always use bike lanes and wear helmets.

“They can make a huge difference,” he said.

As for motorists, Wagner cautioned them to be extra watchful for bicyclists.

A complete list of Florida’s traffic laws for bicyclists can be found on the Florida Department of Transportation’s Web site, http://www.dot.state.fl.us/safety/ped_bike/brochures/pdf/intro.htm.