Toronto cyclists, residents honour cyclist killed in “senseless” accident

As Katie Franklin cycled to work Monday morning, she had far more company than usual.

The 30-year-old Toronto resident chanced upon the ghost bike ride, a vigil organized in honour of Jenna Morrison, a mother and yoga instructor who was killed last week when her bike collided with a truck.

Morrison, who was also five months pregnant, had been on her way to pick up her son from school. She and a truck both turned right at the same time, causing Morrison to fall off her bike and underneath the truck's rear wheels. She suffered major upper body trauma and died at the scene.

A group called Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists planned the memorial to mark what many feel was a tragic, senseless, and avoidable death. Nearly 400 cyclists turned up for the silent 7:30 a.m. ride, which wound its way through a major stretch of the downtown core before ending at Dundas St. W. and Sterling Rd., the spot where Morrison lost her life.

It was near this intersection that Franklin bumped into the group.

"It was really heartening to see a mix of younger and older adults," she says. "There were many signs as well, although I didn't really get a chance to see what was written on them. It would be interesting to see if it became more of a political rally than a vigil."

As the National Post reports, a group of 100 people had already gathered at the Sterling Rd. site to meet the incoming cyclists. A man rode in hoisting a "ghost bike" — a mountain bike painted entirely in white — on his steel carrying rack.

A "ghost bike," as its known in the cycling community, often serves as a roadside memorial to commemorate cyclists who have been killed or injured in traffic accidents.

Morrison's ghost bike was attached to a signpost, where mourners shed tears, left handwritten messages and candles, and paid their respects.

Rick Conroy, who studied yoga with Morrison, urged the crowd to remember all fallen cyclists.

"We gather one week after every cyclist's death so that we can remember them. It's not something we like to do but we feel it is important to memorialize those of us who die on our streets," he said.

Morrison's death has sparked debate as to whether truck drivers should install side guards, a measure that would prevent pedestrians and cyclists from being crushed underneath a truck's rear wheels.

Toronto police have announced that there will be no charges laid against the driver involved in the collision

The federal government said Wednesday there was not sufficient evidence regarding the safety of side guards to move ahead with any legislation.

Several local politicians were also in attendance, including Olivia Chow, Councillor Mike Layton and Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon. MP Peggy Nash said she would continue advocating for cyclist safety.

"After this I am heading to Ottawa to join with Olivia Chow to introduce a bill for mandatory side guards on large vehicles," Nash told the crowd.

"And we will campaign to make sure that this never happens again."