My Young Bike/Women's Rights Activist Cousin was killed riding her bike to work

[Liberation Angel]

She was a wonderful 22 year old young woman and we are all heartbroken. As my daughter's closest cousin in age, I knew her better than many of our other young cousins since she was a little girl and she would vists and have sleepovers with my daughter.

I wanted to share this here as a memorial and to ask your support for her causes and her memory (links at the website and below):



I Ride for Sylvia

http://4000more.org/2009/09/23/photosmemorialride/

It was hard. That much is totally certain. More than a hundred people, all wearing white t-shirts and carrying flowers, biking in silence over the bridge, cars waiting next to us at stoplights and strangers filming the caravan with cell phones as they blew past. The police escort was a huge help, but as much as anything I was struck by how unbelievably dangerous the ride that Sylvia made to work every day actually was– high speed car traffic, practically un-navigable intersections, and poor road quality. It speaks to Sylvia’s commitment to life free of dependency on cars, and, quite frankly, her bravery in enduring a few miles of road that are about as unfriendly for cyclists as any could be. The words shared by her friends and her co-workers from Hard Hatted Women were compelling and sincere, and although it was pretty tearful at times, I think it was an admirable celebration of a life that ended way too soon.

The ride was sobering and it was heartbreaking, but we all left feeling galvanized about ways to make our rides safer, and to make our bike communities stronger. I’ve talked to several Oberlin folks who are now wearing their helmets around town, even though they used to think it was unnecessary. Sylvia’s tragic death should be a reminder to all of us of how delicate our stay here can be, and of how important it is to make changes now, not tomorrow. The right time to organize is now, the right time to stand up for what we believe in is now– and as much as anything, the right time to acknowledge our friends and appreciate our communities is now. It was an honor to be present at the ride on Tuesday, and an honor to be surrounded by so many wonderful people. To all of Sylvia’s friends– you’re in our thoughts. You are doing incredible work in the face of something almost too tragic to comprehend. -Dory Trimble

Click after the break for more photos from the ride. Feel free to distribute and reproduce them at will! read more…

http://4000more.org/

Please see photos of Sylvia and check out the site for a new foundation in her memory here: (it brings tears to my eyes. I really saw her last at a Regina Spektor show at Toad's Place in New Haven with my daughter. She lived her life as a bright blazing star and died doing what she believed in - fighting for women and the planet):

http://www.sylviabinghamfoundation.org/

[Junkdrawer]

1. The truck driver who hit her did not stop, and as of Tuesday no charges have been filed.

http://4000more.org/2009/09/18/tragic-news-out-of-cleveland/

[Liberation Angel]

4. It was simply a tragic accident. No fault on her or the driver's part.

So far. She was simply not in the driver's field of vision.

[Raineyb]

11. He's still liable for not stopping after hitting her.

He didn't feel a thump after hitting her?

[Xithras]

22. If it was a big rig, he may not have.

I know of several instances where big rigs have struck pedestrians and not stopped because of that. A 150,000 lb fully loaded semi is so heavy that striking a pedestrian doesn't even register as a thump.

[TxRider]

24. Yup, and I've had several run me right off the road on my motorcycle

Even with me looking at their face in there mirror as well.

Of course just as many car drivers have almost killed me while yakking on a cell phone.

I knocked on one girl's driver side window as she ran me across two lanes, she almost wiped out.

You have to make sure you keep yourself out of situations that allow no escape as much as you can.

[Fumesucker]

6. I have flashing lights on my bike that are so bright they are nearly painful..

Red on the back, white on the front.

And still drivers don't see me, or at least act like they don't.

[Ineeda]

2. So sorry for your loss. What a lovely young woman. n/t

[unpossibles]

3. I'm so sorry to hear this

I really think more cities need to be proactive with helping to ensure cyclist safety. I had close calls and near misses almost every day when I lived and biked in Columbus. Many times drivers don't pay attention to those of us on 2 wheels, and sometimes they even think we have no right to be on the road. Heck, I've even encountered people who thought it was amusing to pretend to swerve into my path!

I'm so sorry for your loss.

:grouphug:

[jbnow]

25. Wish all new road construction/repair included bike paths.

Should have started in the 70s with that energy crunch and just kept going. I don't think cyclists should have to share roads with vehicles any more than pedestrians do.

Bikes are just too vulnerable to cars and traffic...the most careful cyclist still has their life dependent on car drivers not being distracted or just not noticing. We ride WITH traffic of course so trouble comes from behind us, we can't evade when we see someone drifting towards us from behind.

I'm sure more would cycle to work if it wasn't for the traffic you deal with on thoose roads.

This is a very sad story

[unpossibles]

27. agreed. I just went to a really cool panel discussion on this topic set up by David Byrne

It was about transportation initiatives that we need to embrace in general, but more specifically about how cities need to keep moving in the direction of being more bike-friendly, bike-smart, and bike-safe to reduce tragedies like this. Here in NYC we've got more than a few separated bike paths, and it's great but of course some are saying we need to stop doing this despite the fact that accidents and death rates have dropped dramatically in areas which have these kinds of paths.

[Odin2005]

29. Around here bikes are SUPPOSED to be rode on the street, not the sidewalk, but...

Most don't anyway because of anti-cyclist prejudice and because of simple ignorance about the traffic laws (sidewalks are for PEDESTRIANS ONLY, bikes go on the streets!)

[Ghost in the Machine]

5. Sorry for your loss.. Healing vibes to you and your family

:grouphug:

[Fumesucker]

7. As a cyclist myself, my heart goes out to you..

Riding a bike on the road in America is a very hazardous thing to do most places, Americans really aren't accustomed to seeing us on the road and I'm really not sure what can be done about it.

My sympathies and condolences on your loss.

[Creena]

12. I always try to give cyclists enough space.

If there isn't a lane to my left, I slow down to pass. I never fail to see a wave or hear a thank you shouted.

I've seen some cars zip past and send them into the curb or fence.

[Fumesucker]

15. Thank you.. I know most people are considerate really..

But it only takes one inattentive or inconsiderate driver to put a cyclist in the hospital or morgue.

Our roads are really not set up for cyclists and cars to share, in my area there often aren't even any shoulders and some places there is a thirty or more foot dropoff as soon as you get off the road.

[Liberation Angel]

8. "I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than..."

"I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out
in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom
of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time."
Jack London


Her parents asked that this quote be shared with those who care. Sylvia was their only child and they have started the foundation to make bicycle riding safer for all of us.

I last worked with Sylvia on a bicycle activism program to feature the first zero carbon footprint bicycle activist band "The Ginger Ninjas" (they played for Critical Mass at a concert event in Denver during the Democratic Convention after a 5000 mile bicycle powered rock and roll tour with bike powered amplifiers and carrying their own equipment by bike)

See the video here: she loved this. You will too.


Bicycle Activism Video (Ginger Ninjas 5000 mile bicycle rock n roll tour) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZbAIiTZ9bk

[renate]

30. "I would rather be ashes than dust"

--what an amazing line, and just perfect for a glorious woman like Sylvia.

I was already so sad to read this thread, and then when you said she was their only child.... well, there just aren't words. At all. They obviously did an amazing job as parents.

:hug::cry:

[Ghost in the Machine]

9. Kick

[GreenPartyVoter]

10. I am so very, very sorry! *hugs*

[TexasObserver]

13. that's heartbreaking

hate to see any 22 year old die

[Berry Cool]

14. I'm so sorry about your cousin; I would have joined the memorial ride had I known.

The distance she rode to work was not very short, but it can be hazardous because it's downtown. I've sadly never tried riding my bike downtown because I am too afraid of the consequences. I believe we need more attention paid to alternatives to fueled vehicles and more respect for bikes sharing the road. It's a shame we lost such a fine young woman who was so enthusiastic about coming here from someplace else to make her way in the world and help others; we don't have enough of those people and can't really afford to lose the few we have.

RIP, good Sylvia. May you rest in the arms of the Guardians of Traffic whose bridge you probably rode over during your brief time with us.

[Liberation Angel]

16. Thanks Berry

She was committed to helping others and doing good work

but the fact that she did not want to harm the earth and so rode a bike is what I think she would want us to be moved by.

[Liberation Angel]

17. Please take a look at this video...

it was the last thing she and I worked on together (trying to arrange events for these bicycle nomad/gypsy musician activists:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZbAIiTZ9bk

[myrna minx]

18. I am so sorry.

:hug:

[uppityperson]

19. my condolences to you and yours and her and hers.

[Selatius]

20. May you have the strength to live on from this loss and the strength to hold her memories in your...

heart. My condolences for your loss.

[eridani]

21. Please share the road with bicycles if you drive

Let's all help prevent more such tragedies in honor of this fine young woman.

[babylonsister]

23. My sincere sympathies, Liberation Angel.

{{{:hug:}}}

[Liberation Angel]

32. Thanks Babylonsister - her activism is an inspiration to me and...

should be to all of us.

working for women's rights but also as a committed environmentalist/bicyclist she will always serve as an example of what we should be doing (but also that we must never take anything for granted and must be safe as we act).

I appreciate it.

[EmilyAnne]

26. Such a heartbreak for you and your family. She was an amazing young woman.

I dream of having a daughter that I could be so proud of.
Thank you for sharing this with us.

[Odin2005]

28. OMG, I'm so sorry!

:( :hug:

[Liberation Angel]

31. thanks for all the love/foundation for bicycle activism

her parents are devastated, but despite their grief have started a foundation in her memory which is just in the preliminary stages.

It is not yet really active (the memorial service is this weekend for family and friends) so please bookmark it and give your support and participate when and where you can.

Having worked with Sylvia on bicycle activism and advocacy for bicyclists, I feel this is a truly eaningful way for people to help change the world, one bike at a time ---

http://sylviabinghamfoundation.org/

[Octafish]

33. My deepest sympathies to you and your family.

Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers.

We have lost an infinite treasure: an angel who loved us.