Take Action This Sunday: Memorial Ride for Wayne Richardson

Photo by Corey Jennings

Two months ago we stood beside Michael Hughes' family and placed ghost bike in his memory, pictured above. This Sunday, we will again be standing alongside a grieving family. 

Wayne Richardson Memorial Ride + Ghost Bike Dedication
Sunday, September 15th
Meet at the Washington Monument at 12pm

On July 30th, Wayne Richardson was killed after being struck from behind by a hit-and-run driver while riding his bike near the 2600 block of East Madison. We connected with Wayne's family and learned that he was retired from the Army Reserve, he served as an usher and sang in the choir at his church, and cared deeply for those around him, often taking in friends and family and helping them get on their feet.

Every single person that is killed on our streets has a story, has value just by way of being a human being. But when hit and runs are a frequent  occurrence and when civic leaders don't stand up for safer streets — it sends a message that people who travel our streets by bike or on foot don't deserve dignity. That we don’t deserve safety.  

Join us this Sunday to stand up against this message and demonstrate that, like all victims of traffic violence, Wayne deserved better. We'll be riding from the Washington Monument to Madison and Kenwood where Wayne was killed to place a ghost bike in his memory. This will be a slow 2.5 mile ride mostly on the Monument Street protected bike lane. 

It’s time to show up in force. We need to come together to show leadership that we're human, that when we prioritize cars over the safety of people on our streets — this is the outcome. We lose people who meant something to someone, people like Wayne.

>> Click here to find more details about the ride and invite your friends and neighbors.

Wayne Richardson Memorial Fund

On July 30th, Wayne Richardson was killed after being struck from behind by a hit-and-run driver while riding his bike near the 2600 block of East Madison.

Wayne had no insurance. We have spoken to the family and have offered to collect donations to assist with funeral expenses. Contributing is a small way you can help Wayne’s family through this time.

We had the honor of speaking with Wayne’s sister Wanda and learned a little bit about the man Wayne was. Wayne was retired from the Army Reserve. He was very involved in his church, both serving as an usher and singing in the choir. His faith and his church community was a large part of his life. Wayne came from a large family with 7 sisters and 2 brothers, all of whom reside in Baltimore City. He was known for taking people in and helping many families and friends get on their feet. Wayne has two adult sons. His son Avery is disabled. Wayne loved Avery’s mother, and when she passed away from cancer, Wayne became Avery’s guardian when Avery was just two years old. Wayne is the only father Avery has ever known. Avery is now in Wanda’s care. 

Wayne was riding home from his cousin's repass when he was hit. To know he was killed coming from a family member’s memorial service is extra painful. It feels especially cruel and unfair. Wayne and his family deserved better. 

Every single person that is killed on our streets has a story, has value just by way of being a human being. Bikemore’s job is to advocate for everyone, because everyone deserves safety and dignity while using the street. It is not ok to just accept injury or death as the price of riding a bike.

We’re coordinating a memorial ride and ghost bike placement at the request of Wayne’s family, and we’ll share information as soon as it’s available.

Donate to Wayne Richardson’s funeral expenses:

100% of donations made here will go directly to Chatman Harris Funeral Home to assist with funeral expenses.

Our response to Wayne Richardson’s fatal crash

On July 30th, 2019, 58 year old Wayne Richardson was riding a bicycle westbound near the 2800 block of E. Madison Street at approximately 10:15 pm when he was struck from behind by a driver of a dark colored four-door sedan. The driver of the sedan then fled the scene. Police are still searching for the driver of the sedan, which should have heavy front end damage and could be missing a front bumper. Anyone with information about the vehicle or its occupants is asked to call detectives at 410-396-2606. Your information can remain anonymous. 

It is difficult to find the words when a second person riding a bike was killed by someone driving a car in the span of six weeks. It’s frustrating when we have the infrastructure tools necessary to prevent fatal crashes, but our city delays design and construction because of backlash from drivers. Backlash has resulted in the delay, removal or modification of bike lanes across the city and has left streets objectively less safe to walk or ride a bike on. 

We did not know Wayne Richardson. We did not know Mickey Hughes. But we grieve for them just the same. When your job is to make streets safer for people and someone dies because they aren’t, it is deeply personal. Which is why we will say this: 

There is a difference between listening to the community, and allowing community input to undermine City adopted plans that improve public safety. But the City repeatedly does not discern between the two. This has to change. 

In Baltimore, we are in a crisis regarding countless safety issues — gun violence, lead exposure, asthma, and on and on. None seem to be receiving the sense of urgency they deserve. This has to change. 

Today we met with the Baltimore City Police Department to discuss issues around reporting and officer education. Last week we met with the new Director of Transportation. There is some movement in the right direction. 

In Baltimore 33% of residents lack access to a car. That number climbs as high as 60% in the neighborhoods near where Wayne Richardson was killed. There are unused state and federal dollars that have been awarded to the city for projects that make our streets safer to ride a bike on. Use them. Immediately. Please don’t make us write another one of these. 

Remembering Michael Hughes

On June 17th, Michael Hughes was struck by a pick up truck towing a trailer near the intersection of 36th and Falls Road in Hampden. On June 24th, Michael succumbed to his injuries and passed away. (Baltimore Brew: Hampden bike crash victim, who faced many struggles, recalled as a generous soul).

Over the past week Bikemore has been in touch with the family, connecting them to resources to deal with this difficult time. We are also in touch with police as we wait to learn if charges will be pressed against the driver, and to begin the difficult work of reforming how police respond to and report crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists. This was work that began before the death of Michael Hughes, but it takes on a new sense of urgency knowing that reporting is critical when families are navigating the complex legal and emotional challenges when you lose a loved one to traffic violence. 

We will continue to work with the family on next steps. Our stance has always been to respect the family’s wishes when it comes to how we both discuss and honor the death of someone they cared for deeply. Please be patient as we work to ensure any action taken on our part reflects the wishes of Michael’s family. 

This is undeniably the most difficult but humbling part of our job. We are thankful that, because of your support, we are able to advocate for families in this time of need. Nearly every death that happens on our roadways is preventable. Designs that fail to protect our most vulnerable road users and that fail to slow the speed of cars all contribute to tragedies like Michael’s death. Each time the City resurfaces a road, applies for transportation funding, or even responds to an injury or death of anyone using the road — whether driving a car, riding a bike, crossing the street — is a chance to do better. There is no doubt that the City could do better and we will continue to fight for streets that are built to keep people safe. 

Help Increase the Reward for Tips in Aaron Laciny's Case

It’s been over a month since Aaron Laciny was killed in a hit and run while riding his bike in Baltimore County. The driver of the car that killed him has not been identified. Bikemore is deeply concerned that a driver so callous and dangerous is still out there — driving a car and putting others lives at risk. We believe identifying the driver of the vehicle will also bring Aaron’s loved ones closure. As advocates, it’s important we fight for people who bike — especially the victims of fatal crashes and their loved ones.

At the request of Aaron Laciny’s family, we have set up a separate account to assist them to raise money to increase the reward. We believe raising the reward, coupled with the demonstrated community support at Aaron’s memorial ride on Monday has the potential to force someone with information about who is responsible for his death to come forward.

To that end, all money raised through this page will directly go toward increasing the MetroCrimestoppers reward for information leading to an arrest. Help us ensure Aaron’s family has every resource at their disposal to find justice.

And please join us on Monday evening at 7pm, at the Eddies at 6213 Charles Street for a memorial ride in memory of Aaron. Bring lights and water. The ride will be slow paced and approximately 8 miles. More info here. 

 

Contribute to the Reward Fund