BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KFSM) - A tragic accident ending with a driver hitting and killing a jogger in Rogers has spurred a response from people in the community.
The Travel With Care Campaign kicked off Saturday (April 16) and the people behind are hoping it will strike a chord with those on the roads and trails.
For Kelly Sikorski, the campaign has a personal meaning. Her sister Jennifer Bikel was the woman who was hit and killed by a vehicle while jogging on a sidewalk.
"She was my twin sister," said Sikorski, who has immersed herself in this undertaking. "The only way to really cope with the grief of losing someone like that is to figure out, how do I make her legacy live on, and turn it into a force for good."
Sikorski seems to be getting some success in making that happen.
She, along with several outdoor organizations in Northwest Arkansas, are starting the campaign called 'Travel Safe' that targets drivers, walkers, joggers and bicyclists.
"It's not about telling people what they're not supposed to be doing. It's more about being aware of each other and respecting each other." said Eve Lemaster, one of several people involved with getting this task off the ground. "Runners know what you should do, bikers know what you should do, drivers know what you should do."
The ad campaign is part of a nationwide effort to not only improve signage in busy areas of the Razorback Greenway, but to also remind people on the roads that they are sharing the lanes.
"We've been talking with the cities about making sure that the crossings for the trail when it goes across a house, residence or business that they're stripped properly so that we can just improve the safety conditions," said Paxton Roberts, executive director of the Bicycle Coalition of the Ozarks. "And that's why this campaign is really just to help improve awareness to people driving, walking, running and biking."
Sikorski acknowledges the task that's ahead of them and says it starts with each person.
"It's not just marketing," said Sikorski. "It has to be what we do in our cities and communities just to highlight the fact that this is a dangerous part, so be aware."