sharon bayler killed one month after husband's death

The couple did not have any children *together*. Sharon has a son, Andrew. I know this because he's been my friend since kindergarten. This is heartbreaking.

I hope the drivers who killed them will be investigated and prosecuted. Cyclists should be considered the same as pedestrians, they always have the right of way.

I only knew Mike and Sharon for approximately 10 years, but in those 10 years I became very attached to both of them. Losing both in such a short time is very devastating. Tragic. My thoughts and prayers go out to their family and close friends.

Truth wrote:

I hope the drivers who killed them will be investigated and prosecuted. Cyclists should be considered the same as pedestrians, they always have the right of way.

You do not know the entire story. Sometimes things are not always what they appear. I am sure the individual that killed her did not mean to, and is extremely hurt. They will have to live with this the rest of their lives, so you might want to cut them some slack!

This is just so sad, i pray that they are together in heaven, and the Lord comforts the hearts of they friends and family that is left behind. We aren't promised tomorrow that is why is so important to be ready to go when the Lord calls us out.I did not know either one of you but i believe that the Lord must have said your work here is done. My heart again goes out to your family and friends.

i don't think we need to cut any of the crazy drivers any slack. i don't know this situation but i do know how STUPID people drive. there is no sense in it , it gets everybody else killed and they are ok. they need to get that leadfoot off that gas peddle and slow down in some of these places people are always pulling out of and these roads that are so narrow, they go down through there letting the barrel down . i drive 62 miles every day to work and whoever you are taking up for them, thats why they do it. did you know what they called accidents are not accidents, they are maybe 1 out of 10 that happened, they are just stupid people not watching and don't care and it should be called a wreck, accidents just don't happen, so stay off my bumper, slow down, quit cutting in front w/out signal, running up behind be like you are going to put out a fire. lawsuits can be filed againt these people that don't give a
crap how they drive, yall start doing it, that might slow them down, thats what they need, because you are the one that has to live with the pain of losing your loved one. this is sad she lost her life out there having fun, when someone was in such a big hurry, and going nowhere. let em have it people, take a stand...cause --- i am still going through it, because of someone's ignorance

Truth wrote:

I hope the drivers who killed them will be investigated and prosecuted. Cyclists should be considered the same as pedestrians, they always have the right of way.

Cyclists don't always have the right of way. They are bound by the same rules as motorists. The problem I frequently see is that drivers are impatient and careless. They don't know or care that they are required to share the road with cyclists, or they just aren't paying attention.

Sharon will be greatly missed by the hundreds of folks here in the Huntsville area who called her friend. She was one of the first people to befriend me when I moved here four years ago. She'd ride with me (really too slow for her) and help me learn the roads.

It's very sad that drivers can't find the sense to pay attention to where they are going. So many are distracted by phones and whatnot. Don't they know that a vehicle is a deadly weapon? Even if it's an accident, what solace is that when someone is dead?

Sharon this year, Carlos Serrano (Scottsboro) last year, and Sarah Chapman (Huntsville) the year before that. How many of my friends and acquaintances have to die before drivers in the Tennessee Valley start paying attention?

Drivers must watch for other vehicles, including bicycles and motorcycles, as well as joggers, walkers, children, slow moving tractors, whatever is out there. Pay attention and drive accordingly.

Please.

Our lives depend on your ability to focus on what you are doing (driving) rather than other things. We are at the mercy of the carelessness of motorists who just don't care who or what might be between them and their destination.

Share the road.

Please.

jbb wrote:

<quoted text>
Cyclists don't always have the right of way. They are bound by the same rules as motorists. The problem I frequently see is that drivers are impatient and careless. They don't know or care that they are required to share the road with cyclists, or they just aren't paying attention.

Please think before you post something so inappropriate. Sharon knew the rules of the road, she was hit FROM BEHIND which indicates the driver wasn't paying attention. We have lost a very dear friend, one who was very active in the cycling community and worked very hard to educate people on the rules of the road.

This is a horribly sad and shocking series of deaths. Sharon's was preventable and needless. The driver hit her from behind. Apparently he said he couldn't see what was in front of him. Yet he kept driving his truck. When the sun, rain, fog, or anything keeps you from seeing what is directly in front of you motor vehicle it is imperative that you stop or pupp over and stop. Surely no one thinks he can drive safely if he is unable to see the road in front of him on a clear day-- a groups of cyclists-- with lights, reflective vests, blinking lights, helmets, all obeying the law. Tragic yes, but criminally negligence on the behlaf of the careless driver. And he could not have thrown her, airborne, for over 160 feet had be going remotely close to the psoted speed limit. god, was he texting? Or just answering his cell like when the UAh coed was murdered riding her bike. Share the road. And please learn how to drive responsibly! I do.

You don't know that the driver was careless or dumb. Maybe the cyclist lost control and got out in the road and the driver didn't see her or could not react. Maybe she hit something on the road. She was at the back of the pack so know one knows. The simple truth to the matter is that it is a road for vehicles. Pedestrians should not be walking on the road. They have rights in crosswalks but not just meandering on the road. If you want to cycle on the road then you take your chances. Just like swimming in the ocean. You take your chances that you might get eaten or drown. You cannot police everyone or prevent every accident. Things are just going to happen. You agree to take that chance when you get on the road. I have had several cyclists dart out in front of me. I wasn't speeding. This is a sad accident but shows that accidents will occur and you cannot stop them. If you don't want to get hit then stay off the road.

As tragic as Sharon's death is, is the comments that u knowning or uncaring drivers post- ranting their superior rights & how we should get off the roads. BTW, roads made for horses, carriages, and bicycles--- not cars. We werer here first U have stayed here- nothing new about it- only this pisspoor attitiude that cyclists should get off the streets, ride on a sidewalk, or buy a Hummmer. Nope. The mayor doens't seem to take cycling seriously her. His team has ZERO funding, ZERO power. THe city of HSV has FAILED in Cycling safety. How many will die, Mayor Battl?

Could we please have some respect for Sharon's family and friends on this post. No one know's the circumstances of today's tragedy except the driver and the cyclists. Sharon was a very experienced cyclists and she was at the back of "pack" to make sure the rest of the cyclists were safe, that's just the kind of person she was. We are still in mourning from loosing her husband just 4 shorts weeks ago today, so please remember what your mother taught you years ago, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. This post is being viewed by Sharon's family and friends to again, please post with repect.

The comment by Jim about bicyclists not having rights on the road makes it clear that we really need better driver education. Jim, you need a refresher course, you are apparently unaware of the law.

Truth wrote:

I hope the drivers who killed them will be investigated and prosecuted. Cyclists should be considered the same as pedestrians, they always have the right of way.

I don't believe that the driver should be prosecuted.I'm sure it was an accident. However, there DOES need to be more education and information drivers concerning cyclists. This culture has made driving the priority and that is just wrong. I am an avid cyclist, for recreation and for commuting. The fact that this state is not putting more attention and money into bike-friendly routes, not only for environmental but for health reasons, is just ridiculous.

Are you serious? When you pass someone on a bike you should approach the situation as you would pass someone in a car. Stay a safe distance back until you have a legal pass opportunity then swing out into the passing lane and pass. So many of you idots think that you can scoot by cyclist at very close distances and pass. You should pass in this manor because we might sway off course due to debris in the road or a pothole. The fact is that so many of you morons don't care because yo are in a 2 ton car or truck and you are at no risk whatsoever when you come within inches of a cyclist when passing. The person that hit this cyclist should be prosecuted for negligant homicide in order to bring justice and detour morons like Jim from breaking the law. She was struck from behind there is no excuse!

Jim wrote:

You don't know that the driver was careless or dumb. Maybe the cyclist lost control and got out in the road and the driver didn't see her or could not react. Maybe she hit something on the road. She was at the back of the pack so know one knows. The simple truth to the matter is that it is a road for vehicles. Pedestrians should not be walking on the road. They have rights in crosswalks but not just meandering on the road. If you want to cycle on the road then you take your chances. Just like swimming in the ocean. You take your chances that you might get eaten or drown. You cannot police everyone or prevent every accident. Things are just going to happen. You agree to take that chance when you get on the road. I have had several cyclists dart out in front of me. I wasn't speeding. This is a sad accident but shows that accidents will occur and you cannot stop them. If you don't want to get hit then stay off the road.

Motorcycles are just too dangerous to ride. I would never get on one.

did you ever wonder why small planes and large planes dont use the same airports ? figure it out

Through her job Sharon had many friends and colleagues in Asia and here in Europe as well. We are all shocked and saddened, and we'll miss her energy and positive attitude very much.

maybe tax money could be used to build a track like a greenway for the bicycles to ride on...