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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.
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
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
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thanks for the coverage.
I'm very saddened by the tragic loss of this person.
It also saddens me that it seems to take a tragedy such as this to activate a community; but here we are.
Lets activate!
Bike blvd on King? Yes!
Vigilant stand for bike safety, access and even privilege? Yes!
Reduction of car use and traffic.. and privilege? Hell Yes!!
thank you again.
I'm very saddened by the tragic loss of this person.
It also saddens me that it seems to take a tragedy such as this to activate a community; but here we are.
Lets activate!
Bike blvd on King? Yes!
Vigilant stand for bike safety, access and even privilege? Yes!
Reduction of car use and traffic.. and privilege? Hell Yes!!
thank you again.
For more information:
http://myspace.com/loveguttermusic
that's a beautiful memorial / 'ghost bike' - great idea! maybe the name of the rider can be written on there somewhere too?
Four years ago I was hit by a car three blocks from the scene of this accident. I was riding in the bike lane and a car abruptly turned right to escape the rush hour traffic, wiping me out. I sustained severe but not life-threatening injuries. and after a couple of major surgeries I'm pretty much back to good health. I am one of the lucky ones. 24 hours after the accident a police officer came to my house to say that he had to ticket me for "passing on the right," by which he meant, riding in the bike lane passing cars slowed by traffic. While ultimately the ticket was repealed, I was amazed to be considered responsible for my own accident, after riding safely and obeying all traffic laws. This was a little introduction to Santa Cruz area bike politics.
This morning I "heard" from another Santa Cruz local that the cyclist killed august 7 was "riding a track bike and racing the semi." In fact, he was riding a mountainbike "tricked out" for commuting and observing good riding etiquette.
If you think you're safe, that the law is on your side, that people in this small city can be reasonable about cyclists, think again. We live in a bike-hating town.
This morning I "heard" from another Santa Cruz local that the cyclist killed august 7 was "riding a track bike and racing the semi." In fact, he was riding a mountainbike "tricked out" for commuting and observing good riding etiquette.
If you think you're safe, that the law is on your side, that people in this small city can be reasonable about cyclists, think again. We live in a bike-hating town.
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