Bike coalition responds to recent bicycle-related deaths

Two men in Santa Barbara County were killed while riding their bikes in late September.

57-year-old Frank Barrios was hit by a car on September 20 at the intersection of Inger and Broadway in Santa Maria. Barrios was taken to Marian Regional Medical Center where he later died as a result of his injuries. The driver of the car was not hurt.

Three days later, 88-year-old Roman Paredes was hit on his way to work in Goleta. Paredes was a family man who has made a living by picking recycled cans. He leaves behind his family and wife.

“She gets very sad more at night because she thinks he’s going to come back,” said Elizabeth Paredes, Paredes’ daughter.

The Santa Barbara Bike Coalition wants to stop traffic related accidents.

“Our hearts go out to their families,” said Eve Sanford, an advocate for Santa Barbara Bike Coalition.

Sanford says members will appear in front of Goleta City Council on Monday night. The goal is have the city approve the “Vision Zero” program.

“Vision Zero is a program which prevents traffic deaths and injuries by better education on the roads through smarter enforcement of existing traffic laws and through designing and constructing better and safer streets for everyone,” said Sanford.

The coalition will also present its report to Santa Barbara City Council at the end of the month.

The Paredes Family set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for expenses.

Check back later for additional information.