Hundreds of cyclists took to the streets of Leicester on Friday evening in memory of schoolteacher Sam Boulton, killed while riding his bike in the city last month, with his fiancée and other members of his family among those taking part.
The ride, which began in the East Midlands city’s Cultural Quarter, finished outside the Parcel Yard pub by the city’s railway station where Mr Boulton was killed on 27 July, his 26th birthday, when he was run over by a van after a taxi passenger opened a door in his path.
The pub, on London Road, was the favourite of Mr Boulton, a teacher at Castle Rock High School, and the venue is displaying an exhibition of his artwork.
At the ride, organised by Leicester Critical Mass which meets on the final Friday of each month, his fiancée Alia Ahmed told the Leicester Mercury she was “overwhelmed” by the turnout, with many of those riding wearing t-shirts paying tribute to Mr Boulton.
"I have been really touched by the messages of sympathy I and Sam's family have received,” she said. "We are hoping to make something positive come out of the tragic death of Sam.
"We want to get the message out that Leicester is a green city and people should be free to cycle in safety."
Matt Scull from the Leicester Cycling Campaign Group commented: "It is important to celebrate Sam's life with this memorial ride and the turnout is very good.
"But the second important thing is to raise awareness of cycling and our right to use the roads like anyone else."
Leicester City Council has unveiled plans for a £2 million protected cycle lane on London Road, although campaigners are pressing for cyclists to be allowed to use the parallel New Walk, which is closed to motor vehicles but where cyclists are also banned.
> Plans for £2m “safer” cycling route in Leicester unveiled
Since Mr Boulton’s death, more than 1,000 people have signed a petition urging the council to designate New Walk a shared space between pedestrians and cyclists.
Token gesture
Cav - you need one more stage win, and you'll still have it in you in 2023 2024 or 2025. Keep the faith brother.
That Roasting was on the bogus advantage of ceramic bearings over metal bearings, which is only apparent at thousands of rpm, not the actual...
I'd like to see riders have their own helmet designs, like we see in motorsport, as well as a personal squad number.....
I fancy Thomas may stumble upon quite a few fantasy pts just by virtue of how he rides now. He's always at the head of the peloton over those final...
Magistrates? A quick dip into "the secret barrister" (plus notes from an acquaintance) suggests the truth is somewhere between "tireless and canny...
Some false equivalences here. A mile stretch of road you can do at 20mph takes three minutes. Slowed to an average around 10mph at best on a...
Apt since he's describing Llareggub being done by lidl.
Last time I went past there it was the Branch pub and the Unit 4 cinema was still there but what is clear from early observation is that the rider...
They could have focused on the £17.8 million boost to the economy instead.