Brian Robinson, the President of Alabama Wheelmen Racing Team tells us “He was always positive.”
Thoughts and reflections on the hearts of members of the Alabama Wheelmen Racing team– teammates of Jose Zayas, a beloved friend and cyclist who lost his life after being struck by a vehicle in Madison County last Tuesday.
Robinson says, the team is devastated, and trying to support Zayas’ family. He adds, “We’ve just tried to pull together and figure out what we can do for the family, how we can memorialize his death, and how we can prevent this from happening again.”
They lead Jose Zayas’ funeral procession to pay their respects to the fallen rider.
Brian Robinson says, “He’s going to have a special place in our club and in our hearts from now on.”
Troy Spier a close friend and fellow rider tells us that Zayas was like a brother to him, and deeply feels his loss today. Spier tells our reporter, “He brought a smile to everything. Days like today, when it’s chilly and rainy, it didn’t matter to him. He’d show up and it’s a few good hearted jokes and a big smile.”
The team, and Zayas’ family, hope to help spread a message in the wake of his passing, and are urging the community to listen. Spier tells the community, “Please don’t drink and drive, please don’t drive distracted, and share the road. Three feet is the law.”
The “three feet law” in Alabama requires vehicles to keep 3 feet of distance between their car and anyone on a bicycle. Zayas’ loved ones are begging the community to adhere to this law, to help save lives.
There were 783 reported bicycle deaths in the US in 2017 alone, and cyclists across the country are at the mercy of drivers.