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Area to be named for rider killed on road 10 years ago By Doug Kreutz ARIZONA DAILY STAR Bicyclists setting out for a lung-testing, leg-pumping ride up the Catalina Highway soon will have a new staging area to help them get off on the right pedal. The site to be called the Brad Gorman Memorial Bike Trailhead is named in memory of an avid cyclist who was struck and killed by a motorist on the highway northeast of Tucson 10 years ago. His mother, Jean Gorman, was an inspiration, financial contributor and "major force" in planning the project, said Matt Zoll, the bicycle and pedestrian program manager for Pima County. The county provided land and is procuring funding for the trailhead, which is scheduled to be built next year. "The highway can be a dangerous area for bicyclists. It's important to have a safe place off the road to meet and get ready to go," said Gorman, who played a key role in promoting the construction of bike lanes along the highway after her son's death. The trailhead to be built on a 0.4-acre site beside the Catalina Highway about a mile from the base of the mountains will be open to pedestrians as well as cyclists. The site will have 14 parking spaces, bike racks, picnic tables, a drinking fountain, shade trees, a motion-activated solar lighting system and a memorial recognizing Brad Gorman. Zoll said a parking and staging area was needed because many cyclists were parking in unsafe areas along the shoulder of the highway before unloading their bikes and starting up the mountain. "We also had complaints that there is no drinking water source, so the new site will have water," Zoll said.
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Jean Gorman, mother of Brad Gorman, the bicyclist who was killed by a motorist on the Catalina Highway 10 years ago, visits the area where a bicycle trailhead will be built and named for Brad |
Large numbers of Tucson cyclists use the
highway for fitness rides and training for races such as the annual
El Tour de Tucson. Tour de France superstar Lance Armstrong, who is
training in the Tucson area this month, has used the highway to
build his climbing strength in previous years. Zoll said the
cost of the trailhead and facilities including planning, design
and paving is expected to be $215,000. About $100,000 will come
from the Regional Transportation Authority, and Jean Gorman has
contributed more than $22,000 to the project, Zoll said, adding that
efforts are under way to obtain grant funding for the balance of the
costs. He said public contributions will also be accepted.
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