Riding For Ryan Flags Distributed at Street Fair

HARRISON – Ryan Marsman was a 6-year-old little boy who wanted to grow up to be a fireman like his dad. Sadly, while he was out riding bikes with his dad on June 13, 2019, just five days before his 7^th birthday, Ryan was struck by a truck making a right-on-red turn. The driver, who was sober and making a legal turn, simply did not see Ryan who was legally in the crosswalk, nor his father.

The grievous sadness and loss to Ryan’s family, although painful, was not allowed to fester. Parents Andy and Stacie Marsman chose instead to create a positive way by which other children on bikes may avoid being hit, and other parents won’t have to know the pain they have experienced. That positive way was to form Riding for Ryan, a program which provides bright yellow bicycle flags distributed free of charge to be attached to the bikes of children across the state.

The descriptor handout at the Harrison Street Fair booth stated the purpose most succinctly: “Riding for Ryan is a non-profit organization formed to promote the safety and awareness of young bike riders. The organization’s goal is to give kids the height and visibility they need to help keep them safe while riding.”

In partnership with the Clare County Prosecutor’s Office, Riding for Ryan bike flags were distributed Street Fair Saturday during the Kids Carnival time. Lots of kids came by for flags, but they were also available for adults to take for the purpose of installing them on the bike of any child who needed one.

For more information, visit www.ridingforryan.org or Facebook at RidingForRyan/.