Church supports bicyclists who lost fellow member

The First Presbyterian Church in Idaho Falls is offering bike riders a place to mourn the loss of a fellow cyclist who was struck by a car and died Wednesday evening.

Anne Davis, 22, and Laura Stark, 25, were riding with a group of 22 bicyclists when Davis was fatally struck by a car.

Stark was also hit by the vehicle, and she remains in critical condition at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

Transitional Pastor Cathy Cummings said, the church has been supporting the group, known as Bike and Build, for 12 years. Before the accident occurred, the cyclists were scheduled to help paint a house for the nonprofit organization Habitat for Humanity.

“A place for them to rest is important. We have grief counselors that came from the Idaho Falls Crisis Center to help. And we are praying for the recovery of Laura,” Cummings said.

Cummings also said she has had phone calls from the parents of bike riders, who expressed their condolences.

“I talked to a parent of a bike rider and was asked to hug their child. Which is what I would want someone to do for me,” Cummings said.

Habitat for Humanity executive director Karen Lansing said, the bikers have been working with Habitat for Humanity for 13 years.

“Bike and Build volunteers have done different kinds of projects, from putting up fences to painting homes. We look forward to their visits each year,” Lansing said.

Lansing said, the bicyclists stay for two full days and then continue on to Boise, eventually ending their journey at the Oregon Coast.

“They travel I believe 3,800 miles across the country, advocating for affordable housing and helping Habitat for Humanity affiliates,” Lansing said.

The bicyclists raise money throughout their ride and are sponsored.

Jylisha Cambell, who was expecting the Bike and Build group to paint her home, stopped by the church to help serve lunch for the bicyclists who are being housed at the church.

“We are here because these people traveled here to paint our home this week. Which was very humbling and we felt very blessed. They give us so much service and to people all across the country and we wanted to help serve them lunch,” Cambell said.

According to Bikeandbuild.org, the team will not be riding Thursday.

Bonneville County Sheriff’s deputies are still investing what may have caused the crash.