by Colton Chavez-9News April 30, 2025
Northern Colorado has always been a hub for cycling, both recreational and professional. This week though, that community is mourning the loss of Ian Dickenson, a long time cycling advocate who was struck and killed by a motorcyclist Sunday near Horsetooth Mountain Open Space near Fort Collins, Colorado.
According to Colorado State Patrol, the motorcycle driver swerved off of the road after passing another motorcycle, hitting Dickenson who was riding his bicycle on the county road.
“How needless is that,” said John Von Plutzner, a longtime friend of Dickinson’s.
Von Plutzner met Dickinson 15 years ago when they were both engineers at HP. Their professional relationship evolved into a cherished friendship bound by their shared passion for cycling.
“I would have to say he is just one special human being,” Von Plutzner said of his friend.
Dickinson was known in the cycling community for leading group rides every Friday, where he would often prepare homemade baked goods for participants before they set out.
“He would make baked goods for us before the rides,” Von Plutzner said, highlighting Dickinson’s generosity.
Friends describe Dickinson as someone who helped foster an inclusive cycling community in northern Colorado. He was instrumental in establishing a “no-drop” ride group, ensuring cyclists of all experience levels could participate and learn.
“Ian was very much in line with that,” Von Plutzner said. “Stevie took the Tuesday ride and Ian took the Friday ride, and with that, there was a no-drop ride available for those to come and start to learn how to cycle.”
Beyond his welcoming nature, Dickinson was known as a passionate advocate for cyclist safety on roadways.
“He would be militant about, ‘Oh that mirror was like, let me measure my tape, oh that’s a foot away from someone’s head. I’m sending this in,’ or ‘Did you see that action by that vehicle?'” Von Plutzner said.
The cycling community plans to honor Dickinson with a memorial ride this Friday, concluding at his home. Despite their grief, friends believe continuing to ride is what Dickinson would have wanted.
“When hearing this news, crippled friends who started to grieve like right off the bat and just break down. That’s a little hard to take because I know how strong our friends are,” Von Plutzner said.
During a recent Tuesday ride, Von Plutzner found himself thinking of his friend on familiar routes.
“I know what he would have done on this stretch of road. He would have let out and gone diving down the hill, and I would say, ‘Hey… there goes Ian like he always does,'” he said. “I was living in the moments with Ian as I was riding. It’s hard not to.”
Von Plutzner acknowledged the risks inherent in cycling but remains committed to the sport in honor of his friend.
“There is a little phrase about cycling: it’s not if you are going to suffer, it’s how fast you suffer,” he said.
Despite the tragedy, Von Plutzner believes Dickinson would want the cycling community to continue riding.
“I cannot not go outside and do it, and I don’t think Ian would either. He was a rider who was dedicated to being out there,” Von Plutzner said.
The memorial created by Dickinson’s friends stands as a testament to their love for him and his enduring impact on the northern Colorado cycling community.
Read more from Colton Chavez and 9NEWS HERE
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