Well-known Bicyclist Killed
March 6, 2009 - 7:22 PM
John Pless

A man described as one of the biggest advocates of bicycling in Chattanooga was killed early Friday morning while riding his bike to work.

51-year-old David Meek was making his morning commute on Ashland Terrace when police say he was hit by a truck.

Just everyone who is a part of the local bicycling community is feeling a sense of loss with the news that Meek has died.

"Not only was he a fabulous person but a very, very integral part of Chattanooga's bicycling community," said Minya James with Chattanooga Outdoors.

Meek was a husband and father who's life's passion was getting around on two-wheels, whether on the road or off. Meek ran his own machine shop in East Chattanooga where he also custom manufactured titanium bike frames under the name Privateer Bicycles.

Philip Pugliese, bicycle coordinator with Chattanooga Outdoors, said "I'm very, very saddened to hear the news of course, David was a personal friend and we worked professionally together on bicycle advocacy issues for many years."

Meek worked with Pugliese on many projects with Outdoor Chattanooga and served in leadership roles with the Chattanooga Bicycle Club and the Southern Outdoor Recreational Bicycle Association.

Meek also helped establish Chattanooga's Bike To Work program to get more people interested in their health, saving gas and the environment. Pugliese and many others got an e-mail from Meek Friday morning.

"David had actually posted a message encouraging people it was going to be a nice day and to go out and ride you bike to work," Pugliese said.

As Meek was cycling south on Ashland Terrace about 6:30 Friday morning a large truck brushed up against him. Chattanooga police said it appears the truck's bumper caught Meek's saddlebag, causing his bike to crash. He died a short time later.

The law in Tennessee says that vehicles driving on roads like Ashland Terrace must share the road when they come up on bicyclists and yield by giving them at least three feet of space.

"Bicycles are legally considered a vehicle and have every right of way that a vehicle does too," James said.

But many drivers aren't aware of that and advocates like James and Pugliese know first hand how rude and at times dangerous drivers can be around cyclists in the Chattanooga area.

"The bottom line is cyclists are extremely vulnerable and if you make a mistake in a 4,000 pound vehicle the cyclist is typically going to loose in that equation," Pugliese said.

One week ago 51-year-old Ellen Pitman, known as the "Pink Lady," was killed while riding her scooter on Brainerd Road. Police say Warnesta Robins is now charged with failure to yield the right of way.

In Friday's crash police said charges against the truck driver are pending the outcome of their investigation.








Ride in peace, David Meek.