An open forum on bike safety at the Youth and Shelter Services Building, 420 Kellogg Ave., was held last night. The Friends of Central Iowa Biking hosted the event.

The forum was the result of reaction to a recent automobile-bicycle accident at the intersection of 6th Ave. and Elwood Drive. As news spread, an e-mail train of unprecedented size grew on the FCIB listserv.

After the car hit the bicyclist, Ames police scolded both parties and no fines were issued, said Jeri Neal, FCIB board member.

Matt Maxwell, an avid bike enthusiast, decided to attend the forum to hear what others had to say.

“Both of my jobs revolve around cycling, so I’ve had a lot of close calls,” he said. “I’d like to see the city have more awareness of bikers.”

One of the board members of FCIB, Don Nystrom, pointed out that the accident has not been the only case of confusion.

He said there have been many other cases where cyclists have been injured because motorists have resisted yielding.

The group met and talked about their own close calls.

Some members had brought statutes they found regarding restrictions on cyclists. Through discussion, they decided which of them had to be changed, and how.

Attendants at the forum decided to push the Ames City Council to change a statute making all cyclists yield to all motorists at intersections.

The group decided to promote awareness of bike safety by beginning to plan an annual bike rodeo for the children in Ames elementary schools.