Ethan Boyes, Cyclist and National Champion Killed in San Francisco
San Francisco’s cycling community is mourning the loss of Ethan Boyes, a decorated competitive track racer and USA Cycling Masters Track National Champion. Boyes, who was 44 years old, was cycling in the bike lane in Presidio Park earlier this week when he was struck and killed by a driver.
As reported on Marca, Boyes had won numerous national cycling titles, including the 2018 and 2019 USA Cycling Masters Track National Champion, and was listed as the national record holder for the 500-meter “flying start” track time trial. The incident happened on Tuesday afternoon when a car collided with Boyes on a federally-owned stretch of Arguello Boulevard.
Boyes suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital, where he later died. The driver of the car suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was also taken to a hospital. It is not clear whether drugs or alcohol were involved in the incident.
Boyes was a beloved figure in the San Francisco cycling community, and his death has shocked and saddened many. Karl Baumgart, a track cyclist and former teammate, called Boyes “literally one of the nicest people I’ve ever met – not only in the small circle of track cycling… but anywhere!”
Boyes Was Very Popular in the Cycling Circle
Ethan’s friend and owner of Paragon Fit Studio, Brian Keyte, said in an interview with The Chronicle that Boyes was “a really popular guy” and “a world-champion track racer.” Keyte revealed that Boyes was riding in the bike lane when the car hit him head-on.
The incident remains under investigation, and no further details have been released. Shaana Rahman, a spokesperson for Boyes’ family, said, “Ethan was a very experienced cyclist and well-regarded in the cyclist community. This is a pretty devastating loss for the family and for the San Francisco cycling community.”
Boyes’ death has brought greater attention to bike safety in the city. San Francisco has seen at least one bike fatality every year since 2014, and there have been 34 bike fatalities in the city since 2010, according to The Chronicle.
Boyes’ legacy as a world-champion track racer and his impact on the San Francisco cycling community will not be forgotten. His family and friends hope that his tragic death will lead to greater awareness and action to improve bike safety in the city.
