Two years ago, Brendan Lyons was hit by a vehicle while he was cycling in a Tucson bike lane.
It caused serious injuries to him and snapped his bike frame in half.
That frame and his story serve as a centerpiece for "Look! Save a Life" which officially launched its Arizona chapter this week at the El Tour de Tucson Expo.
"It's so powerful, that's why I opted to bring it out," Lyons said about the bike frame. "When people go up and touch it the impact is that much further."
"Look! Save a Life" formed in Boise, Idaho, about three years ago. Lyons, a 28-year-old Tucsonan, brought a chapter to the Expo because of the large cycling community.
He started it with a Facebook page in July to "create an avenue for positive dialogue between drivers and cyclists," and since then it has drawn 1,400 fans.
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Lyons hopes the idea can expand state and nationwide.
"It's a message everyone should sign up for. We're literally saving people," said Gary Casella, one of the organization's founders.
Here are three things to know about Lyons' local non-profit organization:
THE APPROACH
Lyons, an EMT for Rural/Metro Fire Department, rides his bike and drives, so he understands there can be a disconnect between drivers and cyclists.
"This is a two-way street," Lyons said. "Rather than being a one-sided attack toward drivers as cyclists, I'm here to educate both sides. Just as much as I encourage drivers to share the road, I encourage cyclists to share the road."
That's one of the main points on the group's rider pledge. He wants drivers to know that not all cyclists are arrogant, and he wants cyclists to abide by their rules such riding with the flow of traffic and encourage others to wear helmets.
"We're firefighters, we're doctors, we're lawyers," Lyons said. "We're everyday individuals with jobs just like any driver and we also pay taxes on the roads."
THE GOAL
Lyons wants to go to local high schools to tell new drivers his story and show them the broken frame. He hopes to get backing from local businesses and see more public service announcements about safe cycling.
"My whole cause isn't to put out some cheesy awareness messages," Lyons said. "I want this to be reality. I think that's what people connect with mostly."
THE SUPPORT
Jean Gorman, a cycling activist whose son Brad was killed in 1999 while riding on Catalina Highway, supports "Look! Save a Life."
"I think it's fantastic," she said. "We've got lots of advocates but there's never enough because the incidents are still happening. We need everyone working as hard as they can to raise awareness, to educate drivers and the cyclists."
Helge Carson, 47, has been friends with Lyons for six years will ride in El Tour for the 10th time this year. He thinks the group is great for all parties involved.
"I see from both sides, as a person who drives around Tucson and a cyclist," Carson said. "It's great to have something like this and hopefully it will get people to, 'Hey! Look! Pay attention to what you're doing so you don't hit cyclists.' "
If you go
• What: The University of Arizona Medical Center 30th El Tour de Tucson presented by Casino del Sol Resort
• When: Today
• What: Five races: 111 miles, 85 miles, 60 miles, 42 miles and fun rides
• Info: perimeterbicycling.com
