Ian Dickinson Obituary, Death; – Ian Dickinson, a prominent leader in the Fort Collins cycling community, has been identified as the individual who tragically lost his life in a collision on April 27 near Horsetooth Mountain Open Space.
At the age of 68, Dickinson was a dedicated member of the cycling community, having led a weekly group ride every Friday for over ten years. He was a staunch advocate for road safety, as noted by fellow cyclist and friend John von Plutzner. The rides he organized were characterized as ‘no-drop’ events, ensuring that no participant was left behind, making them less competitive compared to other weekly rides in Fort Collins.
Dickinson fostered a sense of camaraderie and skill development among riders, and he was vigilant in protecting his fellow cyclists, often confronting drivers who came too close, according to von Plutzner. Recently, he had warned fellow cyclists about roadwork in a Facebook group, advising them to avoid certain routes. He frequently reported issues to local law enforcement to promote the enforcement of cyclist protection laws, and he typically recorded his rides with a camera mounted on his bicycle.
On the afternoon of April 27, while riding on Larimer County Road 38E, Dickinson was struck from behind by a motorcycle that was attempting to navigate a curve after overtaking another motorcycle. He is survived by his wife, Vivienne, and their two sons, Michael and Simon, as reported on yourgroupride.com, a website dedicated to the Fort Collins cycling community. Originally from the United Kingdom, Dickinson moved to the United States in the late 1990s and settled in Fort Collins in 2001, having retired from HP. Von Plutzner described him as ‘quite British,’ noting his joy in discussing British cycling’s Team Sky.
Additionally, he played a role in organizing a Thanksgiving ride, where participants gathered at the Midtown Fort Collins King Soopers to purchase frozen turkeys for donation to a food share initiative at the HP parking lot. ‘This exemplifies the kind of person Ian was,’ von Plutzner remarked. In memory of Dickinson, a ‘ghost bike’ has been placed at the site of the accident.
