Des Moines bicyclist struck by anhydrous tank

Mon April 13 2009
Posted Apr 13, 2009
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Rural Madison County Des Moines man was injured Saturday when he was struck by an anhydrous ammonia tank while on a bicycle ride, according to the Madison County sheriff’s office. Doug Smith was with eight bicyclists riding east along a rural road when he was struck by a tank being pulled by a pickup truck. John Lynch, of rural Cumming, was heading east also and the pickup he was driving was pulling two anhydrous tanks. He attempted to pass the bicyclists in a no-passing zone, officials said. As he pulled back into his lane, the back tank collided with Smith. Smith was taken to Iowa Methodist Medical Center. He was listed in fair condition today. Lynch was cited for unsafe passing. In response to the accident, the Iowa Bicycle Coalition is planning a rally ride to the Iowa Capitol at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. The ride will begin in the parking lot of Rasmussen’s Bike Shop at 301 Grand Ave. in West Des Moines. The Iowa Legislature had considered a proposal about passing distance and safe following distances around bikers, but the bill failed to make it through a legislation deadline.