By Bay City News.
A world champion cyclist was struck and killed by the driver of a vehicle in San Francisco's Presidio earlier this week.
Ethan Boyes, the current Masters Track world champion, was killed in the reported collision around 4 p.m. Tuesday.
US Park Police responded to Arguello Boulevard south of Washington Street for a report of a collision between a vehicle and a bicyclist, later identified as Boyes, who died at a hospital while the driver of the vehicle also died. He was hospitalized but is expected to survive.
US Park Police did not immediately provide other details about the collision until Friday afternoon.
USA Cycling issued a statement Friday mourning the death of Boyes, who was the reigning world champion in the Masters Track Men's 40-44 Time Trial and Sprint events held last fall. He was a 10-time national champion during his career and still holds a world record for men 35-39 in the 1000 meter time trial event.
"Beyond Ethan's athletic accomplishments, he was a leading member of the American track cycling community," USA Cycling said in the statement. “His loss will be felt at local, regional, national and global events for years to come as he brought a mix of competition and friendship to every race. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones."
The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition also issued a statement Friday about the collision, saying multiple eyewitness accounts indicate Boyes was riding his bike southbound on Arguello Boulevard when a northbound vehicle struck him after the driver crossed the center line and entered the bike lane.
The organization also noted that because the collision occurred on federal property, "we are contacting the Presidio's governing body to demand that immediate action be taken to protect the many people who ride bicycles in the park, including in this stretch of Argüello».
San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan, who represents the neighborhood where the collision occurred, also released a statement about the tragedy.
"My heart goes out to the family and loved ones of Mr. Boyes," Chan stressed. "No one should suffer or die from traffic violence."
Chan said he is urging the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency "to explore the possibility of protective bike lanes in Arguello between Geary and the entrance to the Presidio."
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