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Nishi Gupta reporting The death of a veteran cyclist in Lehi last month has prompted calls this weekend for more bike safety and awareness.
This week, U-DOT responded; placing four "Share the Road" signs on State Road 68.
With the weather warming up, cyclists will be out even more. Many of them gathered in Saratoga Springs today to honor Bill Corliss. They were also there to acknowledge the new signs and remind people that both cyclists and drivers need to stay safe.
"He was just a great guy"
"It's been described that Bill was a crankety old man trapped in an athlete's body"
William Corliss' love for cycling often took him to the roads. Last month it was SR 68 in Lehi with a riding group.
"We'd been on the road seven minutes 11 seconds, and less than two miles...then this happened"
Riders in front of him slowed down and he crashed into them. He landed on the highway and was hit by a truck.
Today, a reminder for drivers: Giving cyclists three feet of space is the law and can save lives.
"If driver was aware and had given that 3 feet, we wouldn't be having this meeting."
Ken Johnson was here to help drive that point home.
Ken Johnson "I think I know right where you're coming from"
Josie Johnson was his sister. She was cycling in Big Cottonwood Canyon nearly two years ago when she was hit and killed by a car
Ken Johnson: "We're not just people on bikes on the side of the road, we're fathers, we're husbands, grandfathers..."
As temperatures heat up and drivers head outdoors...
Randall Akers, Utah Highway Patrol: "Motorists need to be aware in turns, curves, hills, valleys there may be a cyclist there and make sure they have heads up, because now is the time they're out"
Cyclists at the gathering said they share a responsibility on the roads, too. They want cyclists to always be courteous and to learn and follow bike laws.
