I never met Ryan Carriere, and I'm sure most of the people attending this memorial for him had never met him either, but I felt it was important enough to join my fellow cyclists for this ride.
Ryan was riding his bike at the corner of Queen Street West and Gladstone Ave. on October 31st (one week ago, today) when he was run over and killed by a large truck. I feel that cycling is generally a very safe activity, and the benefits definitly outweigh the drawbacks, but we need to be reminded that it can be dangerous.
I hope that memorials like this can raise awareness of cycling issues, and hopefully help make cycling a safer activity for all of us. Cyclists and motorists need to be better educated, roads need to be safer, cycling facilities should be designed or improved when appropriate, and of course we need to make people more aware that there are cyclists out there so be careful!
All photographs ©2005 Victor Gedris
Media:
Globe and Mail
City TV / Pulse 24 (with video)
Toronto Sun
NOW Magazine