The Permian Basin Bicyclist Association gathered Monday evening to present and develop possible plans to help make the roads safer for bicyclists in the Permian Basin.
Bicyclists, business owners and city officials voiced their concerns and ideas and two separate groups were created: one for improving education and awareness of cyclists for drivers and one to discuss ways of making roads for bicyclist-friendly.
This meeting comes more than a week after 39-year-old Brandey Ackerman of Midland was killed when she was hit from behind while riding her bicycle on the Highway 191 service road.
On April 25, two more cyclists were killed, 42-year-old Camron Stotts and 47-year-old Michael Mestas, after being hit by a truck while traveling on Highway 158.
Several ideas were presented on both sides. Suggestions included bicycle safety lessons locally in schools and driver education, billboards and advertising, group rides to spread awareness to drivers, as well as potential changes that could be made to local road laws and ways to make roads safer, such as Highway 191.
