Global Cycling Community Honors Those Tragically Lost on World Road Safety Day

On Sunday, a group of cyclists rode through Philadelphia to raise awareness about bike safety and mark the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. More than 100 bicyclists hit the streets to pay tribute to cyclists killed in car crashes, including Sidney Ozer, who lost his 17-year-old son, Samuel.

According to the city of Philadelphia’s Office of Complete Streets, more than 110 people have been killed in traffic fatalities this year, including 10 cyclists. Laura Fredricks, co-founder of Families for Safe Streets of Greater Philadelphia, helped organize the commemorative bike ride that started in Roxborough and ended in Hunting Park, where speakers read the names of cyclists who lost their lives.

Advocates want to see more bike lanes where there’s a row of parked cars separating the bicyclists from moving traffic. While this type of bike lane is legal on city streets, it’s not legal on state-owned roads. Advocates also want to see the Speed Camera Pilot Program on Roosevelt Boulevard extended because it’s set to expire next month.

“With Thanksgiving coming up, there will be an empty seat at the dinner table where Samuel would have sat,” said Ozer. “I am vowing to celebrate my son’s life and continue the fight for safer streets in his honor.”