ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Seven days after 27-year-old cyclist Lennie Antonelli and 32-year-old cyclist Jake Hill were killed on NC 251 outside Marshall, the father of another cyclist struck and killed in Asheville is warning that in his opinion the roads around the region aren’t safe for cycling – full stop.
“I’d love to say I’m an advocate for people’s rights,” said Michael Rozos Jr. “I’ve talked with Mike Sule from Asheville on Bikes quite a lot. I’d like to say I advocate for cyclist rights, and I do. But if a close personal friend of mine comes up to me right now, even during the course of this interview. If you paused the camera and my friend says, ‘Hey Mike, should I go cycling in Asheville? I’m going to say no.”
It’s a position Rozos Jr.’s had for years. He tried to convince his son Alex, 26, to ride less around Asheville, but his son was passionate about cycling. Rozos said he taught his son to love cycling. But Rozos said he realized riding in town was dangerous.
His son died last July 18 on Swannanoa River Road near the intersection of Tunnel Road and Swannanoa River when a box truck driver hit him…