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Two and a half years ago, Larry Bensky, husband and father of two young girls, was struck by an automobile and killed while riding his bike with a friend near Butler and Falls Road in Baltimore County.
One of the things about the fatal crash that still sticks out to Tammy Benksy is that the driver who killed her husband said afterwards that she actually saw the two bicyclists before the collision.
“She said later she’d thought she’d given them enough room to pass,” Bensky said. “People need to learn to slow down and be more careful when they see a bicyclist.”
The death of her husband convinced Bensky to become an advocate for bicycling safety, joining with Bike Maryland to work for legislation like Maryland’s recent three-foot passing law. Her husband’s death also prompted Bensky to launch Larry’s Ride, a major fundraising event for Bike Maryland, the first fall after the collision.
The third annual Larry’s Ride is scheduled for this Saturday, with varying rides of 15, 35 and 63 miles leaving from Spring Meadow Farms in northwest Baltimore County. The event also includes a 3.6-mile run. Online registration closed today, but in-person registration is available Saturday morning.
Benksy said about 300 bicyclists have registered for this year’s ride and she expects the event, with sponsor support, to raise $20,000 for Bike Maryland.
The ride’s website and Facebook page can be found here and here.
