Beloved Santa Fe Cyclist and Pickleball Enthusiast Mourned After Fatal Crash
Steven Ballinger, a well-known member of Santa Fe’s cycling and pickleball communities, has died following a collision with a vehicle on June 18. The 42 year-old was transported to a local hospital after the crash but later succumbed to his injuries. As of Monday, no official details about the incident had been released.
Ballinger was a familiar and cherished presence at local pickleball courts, particularly at Fort Marcy Park, where he was often seen arriving by bike and playing in his cycling jersey. Annie Maes, a member of the Santa Fe Pickleball Club, recalled their personal conversations, highlighting his interest in metaphysics and deep thinking. “He was a deep soul,” Maes said.
In addition to being a skilled pickleball player, Ballinger was a dedicated athlete. “Everyone knew him as an incredible athlete,” Maes noted. She first met him at Santa Fe Community College’s Witter Fitness Education Center, where Ballinger had once worked as a student employee and regularly played pickleball.
To honor his memory, several pickleball players gathered on Saturday wearing cycling jerseys and calling themselves “Team Steven.” Among them was Susan Brewer, who had played with Ballinger at The Club at Las Campanas. “Pickleball changes lives, and Steven touched so many people in this community,” she said. “He was really loved — his charm, compassion, and sense of humor made a lasting impact.”
Ballinger relied on his bicycle as his main form of transportation, not owning a car. He is survived by two sons who live in Albuquerque. Attempts to contact his family for comment were unsuccessful.
His cycling achievements extended back to his university days. While attending Indiana University in 2003, Ballinger was part of a cycling team that placed second in the prestigious Little 500 race, as noted in a Gran Fondo Daily article.
Although he wasn’t directly involved with the local cycling advocacy group Bike Santa Fe, President Jenn Webber expressed sorrow over his passing. “Our hearts go out to Steven’s loved ones. This tragedy reminds us just how unsafe our streets can be for cyclists,” she said. Webber reiterated the group’s call for improved infrastructure, including separated bike lanes and other “traffic calming” measures.
In light of incidents like this, the Santa Fe City Council is preparing to vote on a resolution to adopt the Vision Zero initiative — a nationwide strategy aimed at eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries. If passed, the resolution would instruct the city manager to incorporate Vision Zero’s safety-focused principles into municipal planning.
Santa Fe police have opened an active investigation into the crash, which occurred on Cerrillos Road near St. Michael’s Drive. Deputy Chief Ben Valdez confirmed Monday that the case is still under review. “Because this involves a fatality, the process will take time,” he said, explaining that such investigations require interviews, evidence analysis, and careful evaluation before conclusions can be drawn.
An update will be released when the investigation is complete.
