Valley Man Amputee Cyclist 'Bicycle Barry' Rides Again for Safer Streets

Barry Hammond plans awareness ride to Camelback Mountain to highlight dangers for cyclists and pedestrians.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 4:53am

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More than a year after a road rage crash left him with severe injuries that led to the amputation of part of his leg, Valley resident Barry Hammond, known as 'Bicycle Barry,' is back on a bicycle and planning an awareness ride to Camelback Mountain to draw attention to the growing dangers cyclists and pedestrians face on Arizona roads.

Why it matters

Hammond's story highlights the alarming trend of hit-and-run crashes and road rage incidents involving cyclists and pedestrians in the Phoenix metro area, which has seen a rise in these types of incidents in recent years according to state transportation data.

The details

In January 2025, Hammond was run over by a driver on Bell Road, leaving him with severe injuries that eventually required the amputation of part of his leg. After a long recovery process, Hammond recently received his prosthetic leg and is now determined to use his story to raise awareness about safety issues for vulnerable road users.

  • In January 2025, Hammond was involved in a road rage crash that left him severely injured.
  • Hammond received his prosthetic leg about four weeks ago and has been in recovery.
  • On Saturday, April 18, Hammond plans to bike to Camelback Mountain to draw attention to the dangers cyclists and pedestrians face.

The players

Barry Hammond

Also known as 'Bicycle Barry,' a Valley resident who was severely injured in a 2025 road rage crash that led to the amputation of part of his leg. He is now planning an awareness ride to highlight safety issues for cyclists and pedestrians.

Todd Johnson

A long-time friend of Barry Hammond and local pastor who started a GoFundMe to help with Hammond's recovery.

Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT)

The state transportation agency that has data showing more than 10,000 hit-and-run crashes occur in Arizona every year, many resulting in serious injuries or fatalities.

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What they’re saying

“I got my prosthetic about four weeks ago, and it's been slow progress. But it's been progress.”

— Barry Hammond

“It's just, I'm indifferent, he hit me, he went to jail. I have a job to do, and that's to get better. And I'd be wasting my time and energy thinking about that guy.”

— Barry Hammond

“I need people to understand that over the last few years it has become more dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians.”

— Barry Hammond

“When it comes to the road, a lot of people have this attitude and road rage when it comes to pedestrians or bicyclists. It just blows my mind always to see people escalate a situation that doesn't deserve to be that intense.”

— Todd Johnson, local pastor

“This happened to me because of a single stranger. This horrible, horrific thing. On the other hand, without the support of all the strangers that have helped, the encouraging words, the donations on the GoFundMe page, they saved me. I'm grateful for it, and that's why I feel a responsibility to do something.”

— Barry Hammond

What’s next

On Saturday, April 18, Hammond plans to bike to Camelback Mountain to draw attention to the dangers cyclists and pedestrians face on Valley roads. More information on how to participate in the awareness ride can be found on the event page.

The takeaway

Hammond's story highlights the growing safety concerns for cyclists and pedestrians in the Phoenix metro area, where hit-and-run crashes and road rage incidents have become an alarming trend. His determination to raise awareness through a personal bike ride to Camelback Mountain shows the power of individual action to drive change and make roads safer for all users.