Cyclists ride to raise safety awareness

Austin (KXAN) - A large group of cyclists hit the streets Saturday morning to help raise awareness about bicycle safety.

The cyclists took part in a 40-mile ride that started and ended downtown.  The non-profit group Please Be Kind to Cyclists organized the ride.   The organization seeks to change the way bicyclists and motorists get along on the roadways.

Scot Simmons got involved with the group after his sister, Gay, was killed while bicycling on Loop 360. Scott says it's not easy for him to come back to Austin, but he believes more needs to be done to ensure that no more cyclists are injured on our roadways.

"It's bittersweet," Simmons said.  "To come here and see the growth of Please be Kind to Cyclists is great. Coming back to the place where my sister was killed and visiting her memorial, it's a loss."

"The way I look at it, it's a way for me to give back to a community that is a wonderful community, and remember my sister," Simmons said.