Riding Through Tragedy Loss Of Son Has Family Campaigning For Safer Streets

For four years, the Tour de Lacs bicycle ride from Spokane to Coeur d’Alene has been a time for the Jones family to spend time together.

The Tour is a series of rides ranging from 40 to 122 miles between Spokane and Coeur d’Alene.

This year, though, the family will be missing one rider.

Thirteen-year-old Cooper, will not be joining his family. He died from injuries suffered when he was hit by a car from behind while doing what he loved the most, cycling.

Cooper was riding in a Baddlands Bicycle Club time trial on state Highway 904 west of Cheney on June 24 when he was hit. He died July 2.

He was riding alone, although the trial area was well-marked and a popular spot for cycling, according to Baddlands club member Alex Renner.

The accident was caused by “inattention on the part of the driver of the car,” according to Washington State Patrol Lt. Steve Jewell.

Renner said Cooper was “one of our prospects.” They had chosen him as having the best shot at becoming a top cyclist. “He had a lot of potential. He was getting stronger all the time,” said Renner.

“Look for me in the 2008 Olympics, I will be the one with the chunk of gold hanging around my neck,” Cooper wrote in an assignment for a school class.

This year, Tour de Lacs was to be a time for the Jones family to get together and have fun. They planned to ride to Coeur d’Alene together, then stay at a hotel. It was something they had looked forward to.

“I regret he won’t be there,” said Cooper’s mother, Martha.

People question the family’s wish to keep cycling after Cooper’s death, but the family enjoys biking. It’s part of their life. They feel bicycling is good for the environment, it’s good for the streets and it’s especially good for the person.

“We just believe in it … and if you look at it comparatively, how many people get hit in their cars and how many fatalities there are and people continue to get into cars,” said Martha.

The Joneses have also continued to work for cyclists in the community. They have been helping with the Baddlands club and have also been trying to get laws passed to protect cyclists in the future and educate drivers on the problems of driving on the same roads as cyclists.

They believe more-frequent testing of drivers could at least lower the number of deaths in accidents involving cars and bikes. Their efforts come at a time when injuries and fatalities involving cars and bikes are at a 10-year high, according to Jewell.

Cooper wasn’t a wayward or wild youngster. He was an honor student and an accomplished Boy Scout

“Cooper was a great kid. He was everything you would want a kid to be,” said Alison Olzendam, principal of Chase Middle School, where Cooper attended.

Cooper’s family isn’t riding in the Tour in his memory. They’re doing it because it’s something they all enjoy. , DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: TAKING THE TOUR What: Tour de Lacs When: Sept. 27 and 28. Start/finish: Bayou Brewing Co. Where: Two-day tour from Spokane around Lake Coeur d’Alene with options. How: Check-in Sept. 26, 3-9 p.m. Cost: Adults $50, kids 12 and under $25 (benefits Holy Family Foundation); add $15 for lake cruise. Info: (509) 535-4757.