Global Tribute Paid to Road Traffic Victims on World Day of Remembrance for Cyclists

In Philadelphia, a large bike ride was held on Sunday to raise awareness about bike safety. More than 100 cyclists participated in the event to pay tribute to cyclists who have lost their lives in car accidents. Among them was Sidney Ozer, whose 17-year-old son, Samuel, was killed in a car crash while riding his bike home from work on Father’s Day 2020.

Samuel was struck by a vehicle on Henry Avenue, a high-injury street, and became one of the 110 traffic fatalities recorded by the city of Philadelphia’s Office of Complete Streets this year. This includes 10 cyclists who have lost their lives due to reckless driving.

Laura Fredricks, co-founder of Families for Safe Streets of Greater Philadelphia, emphasized that Philadelphia is a Vision Zero city and called attention to the recent increase in traffic deaths. She urged government representatives in Harrisburg to listen to the need for safe street legislation.

Advocates are hoping for more bike lanes with a row of parked cars to protect cyclists from traffic and want to extend the Speed Camera Pilot Program. Ozer believes that if these safety measures were already in place, his son may still be alive today.

As Thanksgiving approaches this year without Samuel’s presence, Ozer is committed to remembering his son and campaigning for safer streets in his honor.