I just returned from one of the most solemn yet inspiring bicycle rides. In effort to pay respect to a young man killed last week on his bicycle, the Austin bicycling community organized a memorial ride for Andrew Runciman and his friends, family and community. I won’t pretend to understand the emotions his family and friends are going through, so all I can do is extend my deepest sympathies.
But as a community member, this tragedy hits all too close to home and I think many people felt this way too. After all, we are not so different from that 24-year old computer programmer who was riding his bicycle home one evening with his friend. Though they were only a block from his home, and both had their lights on, and were riding on the shoulder, a large vehicle (black SUV) drove right into Andrew and never stopped. Yes, a hit and run. Police are still looking for clues to find the vehicle and the driver (links to the news articles below).
In response a large group of bicyclists (possibly two or three hundred) rode from the Pfluger pedestrian bridge to the site of the incident some two miles south, where we attended a “ghost bike” dedication.
While the memorial ride went down one of Austin’s busiest arterial streets, it was one of the most serene moments I’ve had on a bicycle. As the sun was setting, the crowd of bicyclists patiently and politely made its way down Lamar—with the help of a police escort and volunteer coordinators. Everyone was mindful of one another, keeping a steady but comfortable pace. When I looked ahead and behind, all I could see were bicyclists filling an entire lane for perhaps 20 city blocks. Because this stopped traffic and attracted a lot of attention, there were a lot of onlookers, who all seemed to understand. For a brief moment, there was a sort of unity—or understanding—among some of the motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians: that we’re all just people.
Though the occasion was tragic—and something I hope never has to be repeated—the event was also inspiring because it reminded me of the tremendous power that comes through community support. And it certainly gives more meaning to all the other “ghost bikes” around town (“ghost bikes” are bicycles that are painted white, and chained to an object—usually a telephone pole—and serve as a memorial for a bicyclist that was killed nearby).
As the respectful service came to an end, I looked around at the hundreds of people and felt we were all thinking the same thing: “this could have been me or someone I know.”
I never met Andrew Runciman, but I knew him. I knew him because he was part of my community. I knew him because in, many ways, he was me.
Not that this tragedy was necessarily the result of malicious intent (but certainly the result of foolish neglect), this tragedy does re-emphasizes the importance of both being aware of, and being kind to … everyone (especially cyclists).
Article on the incident:
http://austinontwowheels.org/2011/04/26/young-cyclist-killed-in-hit-and-run-south-lamar-saturday-night
Article on the Andrew and the memorial ride:
http://www.statesman.com/news/local/friends-pay-tribute-to-hit-and-run-victim-1445811.html
Images from the memorial ride:
http://galleries.statesman.com/gallery/ghost-bike-050111/#167563
The kid even had his own website:
http://andrewrunciman.com/
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