Source: The day was centered on riding bicycles in memory of those who’ve died of cancer. But shortly after 8 a.m. Saturday, one of their own would also lose his life, as he started the charity ride early in hopes of volunteering with his wife at a rest stop for the remainder of the event. Independence resident Michael D. Forbes, 48, was struck by a vehicle on U.S. 24, west of Route H, and was killed as he participated in the fourth annual Freedom Ride as a member of the United We Ride Chapter of Kansas City. While he was a well-known member of the local bicycling community, Forbes was riding alone on Saturday morning, having started the ride sometime between 5:30 and 6 a.m., leaving from his mother’s home near Missouri 78, said Dr. Richard Mark, an Independence dentist who participated in Saturday’s ride and is team captain of the local Bike MS effort. The route taken by Forbes was one he and his cycling friends knew well and rode on frequently. Chris Pace, event coordinator for Saturday’s Freedom Ride, said drivers’ visibility is about 2 miles in the area of the accident, and Forbes had a 10-foot shoulder to ride on. He also was wearing all necessary safety equipment – including a helmet – worn by bicyclists, Mark said. “He would’ve known the route by heart,” Mark said. “Once daylight breaks, you can start whenever, and at that time, there are usually few cars on the road, especially on a Saturday.” According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 32-year-old Scott A. Mocley of Lexington, Mo., was driving west in a 2002 Subaru when he struck the rear wheel of Forbes’ bicycle. An investigation and reconstruction of the crash is ongoing, and Highway Patrol officials have said they will subpoena Mocley’s phone records as part of the investigation. Mark, who had known Forbes and his family for about 10 years, said Forbes wanted to start the ride sooner so he could finish early and volunteer at the Missouri 78 rest stop for the remainder of the day with his wife, Patty, who also is a bicyclist. Forbes had already ridden his bike to Lexington, Mo., and was on his way back. He had called Patty to let her know his status shortly before the accident, Pace said. Forbes was riding in the right lane of U.S. 24, according to Highway Patrol report, but Pace said as local cyclists like Forbes rode along U.S. 24 on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, they always rode along the shoulders.