cycling activism 101

In the wake of yet another cyclist being killed by a motor vehicle - a hit and run no less - with (so far) very minimal consequence for the driver, I wonder if bumper stickers are worth the effort - details about the crash that killed Roy Sekreta are available or I have posted a copy of an article about the crash on my Duke City Fix web page.

The bumper sticker idea was born late last fall, after James Quinn was killed and in memory of Paula Higgins, a cycling team mate of mine for many years who also died in a car vs. bike incident in 2006. My cycling team Olev Rapido felt we had to start somewhere to improve motorist/cyclist interactions. Bumper stickers are what we have right now. They bumper say "Share the Road" and "5 Feet to Pass: It's the Law" and show a car and a bicycle appropriately occupying the road together. They are just waiting for you to pick them up and prominently display them.

You can go to our webstie to see the bumper stickers and a complete list of the bike shops that are helping us spread these cycling friendly messages.

These bumper stickers are free, but if we want to see more than the 2000 bumper sticker we initially had printed on display in the greater metro Albuquerque area of 800,000+ people, we need your help. If you want to make a donation, go to our Bicycling Awareness Initiative website
for more information

Thanks!

Chelly

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Comment by brendisimo on March 8, 2008 at 6:07pm: the critical mass memorial ride was heavily attended and everyone should check out the pics on the ABQ bikers page.

Comment by Lauren on March 9, 2008 at 12:11pm: This was a terrible tragedy. However, I'm alittle disturbed by the comment, " with (so far) very minimal consequence for the driver". This is a very recent happening and it's very unrealistic to think that in such a short amount of time a defense and prosecuting atty could get a case together, present it to a jury and have justice served. Let's not go lynch mob mentality here, please!

Comment by Black Tie Bicyclist on March 9, 2008 at 12:29pm: The Family of Roy Sekreta, has requested via his friend Daivd Reynolds that those who wish to honor him join them to finish his last ride.

Sunday March 23rd 1 PM,
Montgomery Park, East of Palo Dura & San Mateo NE

Ride west on Paseo De Nodeste Trail then south on the North Diversion Channel Trail to UNM. Return via the same route which was Roy's last ride. There may be a moment of silence as the trail crosses Comanche wwhich is where he was killed.

Please wear your helmet and cycle at the pace of the Family.

Comment by bonnie on March 9, 2008 at 2:07pm: True, it has only been a few days, however it is also true that the city does not have a very good record of protecting cyclists with aggressive penalties for running them over. I believe the comment was in reference to multiple bicycle fatalities, not just this one.
It will be an honor to ride in Roy Sekreta's memory. I can only hope that the support of the cycling community can bring some peace to the family.

Comment by gleejb on March 10, 2008 at 8:30pm: What I was trying to say about Roy Sekreta's "accident" was that since when has a hit-and-run been something that the offender gets to go home and sleep in his own bed once he has been identified? Roy didn't get to do that. Remember who the victim is.

Mayor's having a press conference that is suppose to be of interest to cyclists Tuesday at 11:30 by the BioPark at Central and the bike path. There will be some discontent cyclists there with black arm bands wanting to know how the city thinks it can have it both ways, saying ABQ is cycling friendly but not protecting cyclists right to be on the roads.

Comment by Steve Mathias on March 10, 2008 at 10:06pm: the mayor's press conference (Tuesday, 11:30 am) that was suppose to be of interest to cyclists has been canceled.

Comment by BlueJay on March 11, 2008 at 9:36pm: I am a friend of Roy's from back in the NYC area, and am heartbroken to hear of his death. He truly was a special person. I know how avid a cyclist he was, and that a major reason for his locating in Albuquerque was ideal (off road) riding conditions. Knowing little of the area myself, I can see from posts here and news stories that there is a strong cycling community. I wish well to all to keep doing what you are doing and I hope that some good can come of this, perhaps in increased road safety or even additional memorial rides in the future,

Had I known before the fact, I would have done my best to have come and participated in last week's ride, however I have not been in touch with his family since before he moved out there. I have not been able to find the above mentioned pics of the ride, and would love to see them. Would anyone be so kind as to post a link for me?

Jason

Comment by Black Tie Bicyclist on March 12, 2008 at 7:42am: Blue Jay, the ride last week was a small weekly ride that was dedicated to Roy,
The ride to honor Roy Serketa will be Sunday March 23rd 1 PM at Montgomery Park when the Family will ride down the Paseo de Nordeste Trail and then south down the North Diversion Channel Trail to UNM, they then will retrace the route back to Montgomery Park to finish the ride Roy was on when he was killed. Please come join. Montgomery Park is at 5121 Palo Dura, San Mateo St North of Comanche NE. This ride is being posted around town and the Albuquerque and New Mexico cycling community will be there to honor Roy and his family. All cyclists are encourged to attend. spread the word.

Comment by brendisimo on March 12, 2008 at 10:37am: hey Bluejay,

you can see pics at
www.dukecityfix.com/group/burquebikers

or

www.dukecityfix.com/profile/brendisimo

Comment by Lauren on March 12, 2008 at 5:52pm: This morning on my way to work at 0655 I encountered a cyclist traveling south. I was about to make a left hand turn and would have hit him, but for the grace of God I saw him at the last minute. He was wearing a black jacket, black tights, black helmet, black face mask riding a black bike with no light. He did have a red reflector on the back which I saw in my rear view mirror. The cyclist following him was dressed to be seen, in fact I saw him a long time before I saw the rider in black. Please! Wear something that enables you to be seen...reflective vest...working light...light colored jacket, something. And btw....I was a cyclist and was hit by a car while riding...and at the time I was dressed to be seen.

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