OLYMPIA – Motorcyclist Joe Siwek’s death on an Edmonds road in February inspired a rally at the state Capitol on Friday to push for improved laws and better driver training to stop increasing motorcycle fatalities in Washington.
“This is way too many. This is why we’re here today,” said Jason Siwek, Joe’s brother, gesturing to 73 markers placed on the steps, one for each motorcyclist killed in the state since January 2005.
Fifty people attended the noon event. Several also took part in a ride from Lynnwood through Renton and Lakewood in Pierce County to the Capitol.
Participants picked up handouts on motorcycle accidents, traffic safety and the dangers of drinking alcohol and driving. Some also left with yellow megaphones, silver license plate frames and bottle-opener key chains provided by Justice for Washington Riders, a group set up by Jason Siwek and his wife, Jacqueline, who live in Mansfield, Ohio.
Throughout the hourlong rally, speakers said programs making drivers better aware of motorcyclists’ presence on the roads must be increased. They also urged new drivers be taught how to share the road with bikers.
“Our family is tired of hearing people claim they don’t see motorcycles,” Jason Siwek said. “That’s not true. They don’t look for them. They need to be trained to look for them.”
In February, Joe Siwek, 33, died when the motorcycle he was riding collided with a car on Highway 104 in Edmonds. No felony charges were filed against the driver of the car, who told investigators she did not see him.
Prosecutors decided against filing charges because a police investigation found Joe Siwek had been drinking and was doing a wheelie just before the crash, documents show.
His family disputes the decision and the investigation findings.
Stephanie Lowrance told the crowd her sister was killed by a driver who has not been charged. On July 5, Jenifer Gitchell was riding her brand-new motorcycle when she was struck by a car in an Olympia intersection.
She said the driver told police he never saw the motorcycle.
“My question is, how can you not see it?” she said.
Lowrance said existing laws make it possible the driver will go unpunished and that’s wrong. Those people who take a life, whether by car or by hand, should face some kind of charge, she said.
Jeff Siwek of Arlington, Joe’s father, said a person would pay the same fine if cited for failure to yield whether they caused a traffic back-up or a fatal crash.
“That’s unfathomable,” he said.
State Rep. Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis, who rode along on his motorcycle, supported increased training for drivers and limits on the use of cell phones and other personal devices in cars because they are distractions.
“The bond that we have is that it’s dangerous but it’s something we enjoy,” he said. “The one thing we can’t train for is the driver that is not paying attention.”
Lowrance urged bikers in attendance to keep lobbying for change.
“If the Legislature doesn’t listen to you, keep speaking, louder and louder,” she said. “You all deserve as much respect whether you are on two wheels or four.”
For information on the group that sponsored Fridays rally, go to www.justiceforwashingtonriders.com.
Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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