What happened last week to Mr. Le Canne was horrific beyond comprehension.  What happened many months back to Liz Stewart was a tragedy.  What happened to Leon last year will not be forgotten.  Every time a cyclist is killed I am reminded of just how volatile life is each time we get on a bike.  Thus, our efforts at zMotion towards Ride Right/ Drive Right to inform and educate motorist and cyclist alike of the responsibilities we both have on the road. I can completely understand the need for cyclist to gather and memorialize those killed riding , and at the same time I want to caution us,  in doing so we run the risk of aggravating, antagonizing and fostering even further resentment from the very ones who oppose us now.  A memorial ride of any magnitude will be difficult to manage without any instances or confrontations with motorist .  I know the purpose of such a ride, I am just not sure of the outcome.

In this particular incident if the message is we need better roads for cyclist, no amount of improvements, but for a separate and barricaded bicycle facility, could have saved Mr. Le Canne from a drunk driver.  The demand to “make improvements” to the causeway, while fully supported by the South Florida Bike Coalition, begs the question – what amount of “improvements” could have saved his life? The answer is “none”. This was simply an unfortunate event that had nothing to do (I hope) with someone with a vendetta against cyclists. It could have been a jogger. It could have been another car. However, in this instance, it was someone not protected by the exoskeleton of a 2 ton vehicle.  The cycling community will undoubtedly receive a lot of press, but don’t assume the message you are trying to communicate will be received by those you are trying to communicate to. I would prefer to have Kathryn Moore or someone from an existing organization designated as the “spokesperson” for the gathering so that a single, clear message be conveyed – cyclists have the right to be on the road and will not tolerate being treated as second-class citizens by any local government.

As the leader of zMotion I feel compelled to support our fellow cyclists in the most positive way we can without asking anything more from our members than they themselves choose  to do. If a member wants to join in the memorial ride, I support that. If they choose not to, I am ok with that too. I do not want our members to feel pressured one way or the other, any display of emotion for a cause such as this should be an individual decision, not mine or zMotion as an organization . However, that said,  for those zMotion members that do ride I simply  ask that they do so safely, responsibly and help further set the example as leaders that zMotion has come to be known for.

To the family of Mr Le Canne, my deepest sympathy. – Pat Patregnani