Injured in a Sept. 11 Route 1 crash was Jay Kirby, 79, of Lewes, a well-known rider in the local bicycling community who is active in Sussex Cyclists. In support of Kirby and his wife, Michele Williams, former president of Sussex Cyclists, Lifecycle bike shop in Milford is organizing a critical mass ride starting at noon, Sunday, Sept. 15, at the Lewes Transit Center near Five Points.
Co-owner Jenn Rowan said in a Facebook post, “We always pay for bicycle infrastructure with blood. Let's gather for visibility, for awareness and for the safety and lives of all cyclists.”
Rowan said riders must be 18 years of age or older, wear high-visibility colors, have front and rear lights and wear helmets. Cyclists will pedal 10 mph over a 10-mile route starting and ending at the transit center.
In a Facebook post Williams said her husband suffered a serious head injury and is in critical but stable condition.
“Please keep both Jay and Michele in your prayers and positive energies,” Rowan said.
Rowan said there have been 47 bicycle crashes on Route 1 between Five Points and Dewey Beach this summer season.
Kirby, who has cycled more than 100,000 miles over the past 25 years, averages about 5,000 miles per year on his bicycle. In 2000, he completed a 4,451-mile solo ride across the country.
