In Memory Of: Cyclist Memorial Statements

[Tom Stormcrowe]

Please post memorial posts here or at the Wall or Remembrance linked below.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=232887

[tallard]

The first time I ever experienced a cycling death. I was 5 and walking back from spending my 25c allowance at the cantine when I heard a sudden crash from the street. I ran toward it and saw that a cyclist had been attacked by the "side fencing" that bounced off pick-up truck (you know, in the old days, guys had fence-like contraptions sticking out of the sides of the pick-up bed...). He was 16 and looked really bad, I didn't know him and ran in the house to warn my parents. Other neighbors had already called the ambulance. Which got there in 10 minutes, my mom wouldn't let me get near again as she feared for my soul

The teen was pronounced dead soon after. He wasn't from my town. I come from a region where 150,000 occupy a territory a quarter the size of France. Most villages are strung together by a main road along the coast and speed limits vary from 50 km/h within the village core to 70 and 90 km/h (43-55 mph) outside village cores to 100 km/h in non habited strips. My family lived in a 70 km/h zone, but it was only a 5 km ride to school. That was an example of a true road accident no one was at fault, and the teen would have died weather he'd been a pedestrian or a cyclist. I think that was the reason my mother tried to raise me as a scaredycat, it rebounded at her, I took the opposite direction.

About 2 yrs later, we were walking along the same strip or road with my little sister in her carriage, our beautiful black poodle ran onto the street and was hit/crushed by a car. I loaded the dead poodle onto the bottom rack of the carriage and we walked back to the house to bury the dog. But it is the price we are willing to pay to no longer live like prehistory were family and friends all lived near and didn't need 4 wheels or 2 wheels to get to the people or work that mattered.

5 yrs after that, 4 teens from my highschool were walking along a similar stretch of road, late at night 2 a little ahead of the other 2. A man fleeing driving farm equipment was fleeing from the tax man, he was drunk and forgot the equipment was open, the 2 first kids were sliced in half, the next 2 kids heard and had time to clear the road. He got 2 years in jail.

In all these years, I've know many more drivers and pedestrians to die than cyclists. It may be statistically anecdotal, but it nonetheless served as a learning curve in life. You will die, maybe sooner, maybe later, and usually you can do little about it. So go along with your life and be alert, but do not fret and DON'T make others fret. Live life to the fullest.

[MSPD]

Rest In Peace Paul Howard of Rochester, MN. Killed near Park Rapids, MN on the MSTRAM route for that day (he was not a registered participant in the event, however his tragic death interruped/diverted many of the 1,400 riders including myself). He sounds like a wonderful individual.

[squeakywheel]

Paul Howard was a long time bicycle enthusiast. Friends of mine tell me he once boxed up his bike and flew to France (for a business trip) took a few weeks vacation and toured there. When he worked in Rochester, he road his bike to work even in winter. He died while on vacation in Park Rapids - riding his bike.

[gmule]

RIP Lucas Banks. I don't know anything about you other than you lived in my comunity and rode a bicycle. 12 years old is too young to die.

http://www.zwire.com/site/tab9.cfm?n...d=559194&rfi=6

[randomgear]

Raul Matos, South End, Boston, MA on August 3rd 2007.
His ghost bike was installed today - I rode past it on my daily commute, my heart is saddened.
http://www.southendnews.com/ME2/Audi...3720A41A682846

http://www.southendnews.com/ME2/Audi...82933D1EBFBDF5

[billew]

Frank J. Cabral tuesday sept. 4,2007 Charlestown, RI

[barndoor]

LLoyd Clarke, a member of my local club, was killed near Lake Tahoe on 9/20 when he rode his bike into the side of a truck which was pulling out of a side road into his path...it is believed that Lloyd may have been riding too fast and couldn't stop in time....the driver will probably not be charged ....

R.I.P., Lloyd.... you will be missed....

[alicestrong]

Charles K. Witham ...another beautiful soul lost to us too soon...

http://www.cmmp.com/charleswitham/main/start.htm

[Sixtwo]

R.I.P Tracy S. and Brett J..., killed in Portland, OR recently...you two didn't deserve to die so horribly and senselessly in such a beautiful city...

[barndoor]

LLoyd Clarke, a member of my local club, was killed near Lake Tahoe on 9/20 when he rode his bike into the side of a truck which was pulling out of a side road into his path...it is believed that Lloyd may have been riding too fast and couldn't stop in time....the driver will probably not be charged ....

R.I.P., Lloyd.... you will be missed....

This is being disputed....seems the truck was coming towards Lloyd, up the hill, and truck turned left directly in front of LLoyd, who was descending the hill ..... driver "didn't see him", then turned into Lloyds path and of course, Lloyd couldn't stop in time.....

Many, many people wrote in to the Lake Tahoe newspaper , questioning the local police dept's attitude towards this tragedy......automatically blaming the cyclist, when it looks like it was quite possibly driver error.......

...currently being investigated, I believe.....

[ataraxium]

Well, yesterday about 20 miles out from the end of our century ride we got a call about an accident. Two of the local riders on a different ride were hit by a car. One was killed and the other is in ICU.
http://columbusbikeracing.blogspot.c...be-missed.html

To think that my group was going to be on this ride if not for a scheduling issue...damn.

[scottmorrison99]

Tommy Choi , 13, of Martinez, California. The report stated the 16 year old driver did not appear to be speeding.

[TXChick]

Tasha Enloe, 41, died May 28, 2008. Tasha was a member of the Old Tascosa Cycling Club. She was riding along I-40 near Vega, TX when she was hit and killed. Tasha was also a breast cancer survivor.

http://www.amarillo.com/stories/052808/obi_obit2.shtml
http://myhighplains.com/content/fulltext/?cid=8749

[hrt4me]

Alejandro Alvarez, 37, of Monterrey, Mexico.

[Tom Stormcrowe]

Gordon Galbraith, of Anderson, Indiana. Killed in Beech Grove, Indiana in a hit and run while riding his bicycle.

http://www.topix.com/forum/source/wi...PH0N73V031KQS7

If anyone happens to have info, contact the Beech Grove PD, Beech Grove, Indiana.

[Chris516]

Alice Swanson, A 22yr.-old female cyclist, was killed yesterday at 8:15am, in Washington DC. When she was hit by a garbage truck at the intersection of 20th and Q Sts., NW.......BY A GARBAGE TRUCK.

For those that don't live in(or near) Washington, DC, this is part of the business district.

While she was killed, near the end of rush hour, it still goes to the fact of driver responsibility.

It also goes to, how cyclists are responded to, the same way as, those on motorcycles and, mopeds. People don't look for them, even if they are aware of their existence.

[lokerola]

Yes, that was a terrible incident here in DC. Shook me up. Here is the link from the Washingtonpost.com (you may have to register for free to see this). My thoughts go out to her family and friends.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...070800975.html

Alice Swanson, A 22yr.-old female cyclist, was killed yesterday at 8:15am, in Washington DC. When she was hit by a garbage truck at the intersection of 20th and Q Sts., NW. By a garbage truck.

For those that don't live in(or near) Washington, DC, this is part of the business district.

While she was killed, near the end of rush hour, it still goes to the fact of driver responsibility.

It also goes to, how cyclists are responded to, the same way as, those on motorcycles and, mopeds. People don't look for them, even if they are aware of their existence.

[John Wilke]

Rest in Peace: Nancy Sellars, 48, of Franklin, WI

http://www.journaltimes.com/articles...4272926050.txt

Killed by a hit and run driver who was later arrested but then released on bond. Charged with DUI and possible other charges dependent on the investigation.

"Sellars was an avid athlete. Just last month she was part of Team Badger Bikers in the Race Across America, an ultra-endurance cycling event. The 3,000 mile bicycle race started from Oceanside and stretched through 15 states, across the Rockies and the Appalachians, and finished in Annapolis, Maryland.

The Wisconsin team rode to benefit the Make A Wish Foundation of Wisconsin.

Sellars also finished four Ironman Triathlons, three 50 mile runs, five 50k runs, five Birkebeiner ski races and over a dozen marathons."

This is a beautiful area with wonderful roads. However, 3 years ago I was run down from behind by a hit and run driver as well just a few miles from here.

This is very sad news.

[tallycast]

In memory of Jaryd Brown, killed on Apalachee Parkway in Tallahassee Florida, May 21st, 2008.

http://www.tallycast.com/2008/05/21/...bikecar-crash/

[kman38]

http://www.wbko.com/news/headlines/26977859.html Prayers to his family and friends. He was loved by everyone. Rest in peace Wes

[tallycast]

In memory of Arthur "Trey" Hayworth, 24, who died yesterday in Tallahassee, Florida. Hayworth was riding his new touring bike on Gaines street when hit by a truck. This portion of Gaines Street is on the ACA Southern Tier transcontinental bike route. http://www.tallycast.com/?/2008/08/1...n-tallahassee/

[TandemGeek]

In memory Sarah, 20, of Athens, Alabama, who was attending the University of Alabama in Huntsville... a cycling advocate and year-round cycling commuter.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.p...86&postcount=1

[John C. Ratliff]

In memory of Chris Powers and Kevin Alshouse, who were hit and killed by a Kentucky State Policeman on September 2, 2008. RIP.

http://bowlinggreen.injuryboard.com/...oogleid=246650

Rest in Peace,

John

[John C. Ratliff]

In memory of Phillip Michael Tidmarsh, of Rougemount, north of Durham, Delaware, who was killed when hit by a 19 year-old driver who was subsequently arrested of DUI.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/articl...00274/0/news37

Rest in Peace,

John