Local Cyclists Commemorate a Loss

On Tuesday, August 7, a cyclist was killed at the busy intersection of Bay and Mission Streets in Santa Cruz when he was hit by a semi truck making a right hand turn. Word of the tragedy spread fast and a vigil was organized and started at 6pm. Many people, bike activists, daily bike commuters and witnesses of the accident, came to the vigil and paid respects, some held signs, some brought flowers.

A human-powered generator, which creates electricity by attaching a bike, was set up to power a small amplifier with microphone. Speakers addressed the importance of biking to be healthier, reduce our dependence on oil, and to create more peace in our communities by eliminating the excess noise created by motor vehicles. A petition was distributed for a new initiative to turn King Street, which runs parallel to the notoriously dangerous Mission Street (also Highway 1), into a bike boulevard. The plan would still allow car traffic for access to the houses along King street, but would prohibit through traffic by creating dead-ends between select blocks where bikes could still pass.

Vigil attendees also participated in the creation of a 'ghost bike.' Cans of white spray paint were passed around and people took turns painting an old bike white, to create a piece of art to memorial the fallen cyclist.

top photo by Bradley