Dane Wallace, a lifelong cyclist from Arizona, recently experienced a terrifying incident. Wallace was cycling with his local cycling group, “Team Pay and Take,” on Lake Mary Road, in Flagstaff, Arizona. Everything seemed to go pretty normal until something unexpected happened.

Wallace was struck in the head by a passing RV’s side mirror. This unexpected collision led to a chain reaction, causing a pileup involving multiple cyclists. In the aftermath of the incident, Wallace reflects on the need for greater awareness and adherence to state laws that require motorists to provide cyclists with at least 3 feet of space on the road.

The Shocking Collision 

On that fateful Saturday, Wallace’s cycling journey took an unexpected and harrowing turn. The impact of the RV’s side mirror not only knocked his helmet off but also sent him tumbling to the ground. Naturally, this led to a chain reaction. As these cyclists tend to ride together, one person falling down triggered a domino effect, knocking a lot of others down.

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As Wallace recalls the incident, he emphasizes the emotional toll it took on him and his fellow cyclists. “I mean, these people are like family,” Wallace said. “You know you ride with them every week. My partner was on the ride as well, and she crashed right behind me. So your first thought is just like is everyone OK?”

The fact that the RV driver stopped and cooperated with the police is a silver lining in this traumatic event.

Advocating for Road Safety 

In the wake of the incident, Dane Wallace became a vocal advocate for road safety, particularly for cyclists. Arizona law mandates that motorists provide cyclists with a minimum of 3 feet of space when passing them on the road. This legal requirement aims to prevent accidents like the one Wallace experienced.

Wallace believes that the incident highlights a broader issue of empathy and awareness among motorists. “I think it’s just a sad point that when we get behind the wheel of a car, we don’t see our fellow humans out there as someone who has someone to go home to after the ride,” he reflects. This message resonates with anyone who has shared the road with cyclists.

Wallace’s family reached out to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office to inquire about potential charges against the RV driver. As of now, however, there is no official response.

Despite the physical and emotional toll of the incident, Wallace remains thankful for his survival. “Just happy and grateful to have come out of this and able to tell the story with a sigh of relief at the end,” he said. This perspective underscores the importance of road safety and the need for continued efforts to protect cyclists on our roads.

In an effort to support the injured cyclists’ recovery, the cycling group has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover their medical expenses, reinforcing the sense of community and solidarity among cyclists and their supporters.

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