Lennie Antonelli,Jake Hill Obituary, Death; – Seven days after 27-year-old cyclist Lennie Antonelli and 32-year-old cyclist Jake Hill were killed on NC 251 outside Marshall, the father of another cyclist struck and killed in Asheville is warning that in his opinion the roads around the region aren’t safe for cycling – full stop.
“I’d love to say I’m an advocate for people’s rights,” said Michael Rozos Jr. “I’ve talked with Mike Sule from Asheville on Bikes quite a lot. I’d like to say I advocate for cyclist rights, and I do. But if a close personal friend of mine comes up to me right now, even during the course of this interview. If you paused the camera and my friend says, ‘Hey Mike, should I go cycling in Asheville? I’m going to say no.”
It’s a position Rozos Jr.’s had for years. He tried to convince his son Alex, 26, to ride less around Asheville, but his son was passionate about cycling. Rozos said he taught his son to love cycling. But Rozos said he realized riding in town was dangerous.
His son died last July 18 on Swannanoa River Road near the intersection of Tunnel Road and Swannanoa River when a box truck driver hit him.
The street like many in Asheville has a lot of vehicular traffic. The location is about a half mile from the Asheville Mall.
“I’m not going to pretend I don’t have bias because of my son’s death. I have a giant bias. But I held this bias before my son’s death.” Rozos said.
He’s well aware of the cycling community around WNC. He said he’s never felt it was truly safe. He thinks riders are risking their lives every day.
“It might feel courageous to say I’m just going to ride down the road in my high visibility spandex, and that dump truck can just suck it. But that dump trucks gonna kill you. The road infrastructure doesn’t support it (cycling),” Rozos said.
Other countries like the Netherlands have a focus on cyclists and dedicated lanes making it much safer. Asheville has some but overall Rozos said not that much.
“This is a national problem. It’s just Asheville’s unique in this national problem because there are other towns
“July 18 will be 365 days since the day his spine and head were crushed by the front bumper of a truck,” said Rozos about his son Alex’s death. “There’s nothing in the day (for me) but more pain. Alex is gone. He’s still gone, and he’s going to be gone on the 18 of this month.”
Rozos knows his message may not be popular among local cyclists, but he said he doesn’t care. He just doesn’t want to see another family endure the pain he and his own family and Alex’s mother will feel for the rest of their lives.
President of Blue Ridge Bicycle Club Dawn Barr acknowledges the area roads can be dangerous but feels drivers have an obligation to share the road where it’s legal all over the state and nation.
“Blue Ridge Bicycle Club has been advocating for safe roads for cyclists in Western North Carolina for over 50 years because our roads are for all people to use. We are deeply saddened that two cyclists on a long-standing group ride on Hwy 215 north of Asheville were killed by an oncoming dump truck that crossed into their lane,” Barr said. “Too many people are driving too fast and distracted. Not only is this dangerous for cyclists, all road users are threatened. Drivers must improve their behaviors while driving so our roads can be safe for everyone to use.”
