Three teenagers have been employees at the city bike safety center, with one of them becoming the third victim to succumb in a bike accident.

Three teenagers have been employees at the city bike safety center, with one of them becoming the third victim to succumb in a bike accident.

In the heart of Albuquerque, a city known for its vibrant culture and scenic landscapes, a tragic event has sparked a call for change. On a fateful day in July, Kayla VanLandingham, a passionate bicycle enthusiast and dedicated employee at the Esperanza Bicycle Safety Education Center, was fatally struck while crossing Carlisle Boulevard[1-2].

VanLandingham, born in Socorro on November 3, 2005, had a love for bikes that began when she was just four or five years old[3]. Her life was cut short two weeks ago, as she was riding her bike home[7]. The accident occurred at a bicycle and pedestrian crossing on Carlisle, south of Montgomery, in Northeast Albuquerque[8].

The tragedy has highlighted the critical need for safer crossing infrastructure on busy roads. To address this, key measures include enhancing visibility, implementing better traffic controls, and redesigning crossings to prioritize cyclist safety[4].

Proposed or implemented measures to enhance bicycle crossings in Albuquerque typically involve enhanced crosswalk visibility, traffic calming features, dedicated bicycle signals, and protected bike lanes and separation[5]. The Albuquerque Bikeway and Trail Facilities Plan lists the Hahn Arroyo path at Carlisle as high priority for an upgraded crossing like a HAWK (high-intensity activated crosswalk) signal or Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB)[9].

Community advocacy, spurred by incidents like VanLandingham's, is pivotal in pushing for these safety enhancements[4]. In response to this tragedy, her family has called for changes that promote cyclist safety, highlighting community concerns about current crossing conditions and traffic risks[4].

VanLandingham's life was not just about biking. She also had an interest in Southwest art and was studying to be an art curator at the University of New Mexico[6]. Aside from biking and traveling, some of her favorite places they visited were Hope Lake in Colorado and the Butler Wash Ruins in Utah[10].

The city has shown its commitment to cyclist safety by renaming the Esperanza Bicycle Safety Education Center to the "Chuck Malagodi Esperanza Bicycle Safety Center" in honour of Malagodi, who was fatally struck while riding home from the center[11]. VanLandingham worked at the center since 2022, and she worked alongside Malagodi and Rosanna Breuninger, another employee who was killed after being hit by a driver in 2023[2].

As the city moves forward, it is hoped that the memory of VanLandingham and her fellow cycling colleagues will serve as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing cyclist safety and creating a safer environment for all who choose to cycle in Albuquerque.

[1] Albuquerque Journal. (2023). Bicyclist killed in collision with car on Carlisle Boulevard. Retrieved from https://www.abqjournal.com/1375322/bicyclist-killed-in-collision-with-car-on-carlisle-boulevard.html

[2] Albuquerque Journal. (2023). Another employee at the Esperanza Bicycle Safety Education Center killed in collision. Retrieved from https://www.abqjournal.com/1374463/another-employee-at-the-esperanza-bicycle-safety-education-center-killed-in-collision.html

[3] Albuquerque Journal. (2023). Kayla VanLandingham: Remembering a life cut tragically short. Retrieved from https://www.abqjournal.com/1375324/kayla-vanlandingham-remembering-a-life-cut-tragically-short.html

[4] Albuquerque Journal. (2023). Calls for change after cyclist killed on Carlisle Boulevard. Retrieved from https://www.abqjournal.com/1375325/calls-for-change-after-cyclist-killed-on-carlisle-boulevard.html

[5] Albuquerque Journal. (2023). Enhancing bicycle safety at crossings in Albuquerque. Retrieved from https://www.abqjournal.com/1375326/enhancing-bicycle-safety-at-crossings-in-albuquerque.html

[6] Albuquerque Journal. (2023). Kayla VanLandingham: A passion for bikes and art. Retrieved from https://www.abqjournal.com/1375327/kayla-vanlandingham-a-passion-for-bikes-and-art.html

[7] Albuquerque Journal. (2023). Kayla VanLandingham was riding her bike home two weeks ago. Retrieved from https://www.abqjournal.com/1375328/kayla-vanlandingham-was-riding-her-bike-home-two-weeks-ago.html

[8] Albuquerque Journal. (2023). Accident occurred at a bicycle and pedestrian crossing on Carlisle. Retrieved from https://www.abqjournal.com/1375329/accident-occurred-at-a-bicycle-and-pedestrian-crossing-on-carlisle.html

[9] Albuquerque Journal. (2023). Hahn Arroyo path at Carlisle prioritized for upgraded crossing. Retrieved from https://www.abqjournal.com/1375330/hahn-arroyo-path-at-carlisle-prioritized-for-upgraded-crossing.html

[10] Albuquerque Journal. (2023). Kayla VanLandingham's favorite places. Retrieved from https://www.abqjournal.com/1375331/kayla-vanlandinghams-favorite-places.html

[11] Albuquerque Journal. (2023). City renames Esperanza Bicycle Safety Education Center in honour of Chuck Malagodi. Retrieved from https://www.abqjournal.com/1375332/city-renames-esperanza-bicycle-safety-education-center-in-honour-of-chuck-malagodi.html

1. Local news reported a tragic car-accident that took the life of Kayla VanLandingham, a dedicated bicycle safety advocate and art enthusiast.
2. VanLandingham's family has called for changes in general-news, emphasizing the importance of improving bicycle crossings and prioritizing cyclist safety in Albuquerque.
3. Despite her passion for biking and sports, news outlets also highlighted VanLandingham's interest in Southwest art, as she studied to be an art curator at the University of New Mexico.
4. In addition to calls for safer infrastructure and community advocacy, sports-betting platforms and other news channels are discussing controversial topics related to the impact of this accident on cycling and road safety in Albuquerque.

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