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In 2006, Jeff Roth was, first and foremost, a father of three
little girls ages 5, 5, and 7 year old, a husband. He was a Physical
Therapist by career. He exercised voraciously every day, rode
long distances on the roads 5 to 6 times per week and especially
loved steep hills.
JRCF
Board of Directors |
Kathy Roth,
President |
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Keith Webb,
Vice President
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Meredith Leimohn,
Secretary |
Matt Alexander,
Treasurer |
Joe Black |
Gary Hensley |
Reinhold Mann |
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Rep. Doug Overby
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Tim Patterson |
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Tim Richardson
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Thom Thaldorf
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Carl VanHoozier
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One August afternoon, Jeff was riding on Rt. 321 in Maryville,
Tennessee and was hit and killed by Mr. Tommy Carroll who was
driving a pick up truck. Local cyclists Matt Alexander, Mike Winck
and Jay Nevans worked with Tennessee Rep. Doug Overbey to put
together a bill to protect cyclists and educate motorists through
the Jeff Roth Protection Act. The bill passed unanimously through
the House and the name Brian Brown was added to the bill at the
Senate level. Brian was killed when he was struck by a truck near
Martin, Tennessee. He was a friend of Tennessee Sen. Roy Herron.
In Spring of 2007, the bill was signed by Governor Phil Bredeson.
Jeff's death brought the local and state cyclists together and
the Jeff Roth Cycling Foundation was formed. Our foundation will
strive to promote safe cycling and motorist education of the Jeff
Roth and Brian Brown Protection Act.
Bicycle Protection Act
The Jeff Roth and Brian Brown Bicycle Protection Act of 2007
was signed into law on May 3, 2007, by Tennessee Governor Phil
Bredesen. Tennessee joins a handful of states that have moved
forward to further protect cyclists on our roadways.
Passed without opposition in both the House and Senate, this act
provides that "the operator of a motor vehicle when overtaking
and passing a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on the
roadway, shall leave a safe distance between the motor vehicle
and the bicycle of not less than three feet (3') and shall maintain
such clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle."
A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
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