Notes on Deceased Cyclists Whose Ghost Bike Will Be Stopping Points in the 2023 Ride of Silence.
5/17/23 – Ride of Silence – Wed, 5:30 PM. Albany Bicycle Coalition will hold its annual Ride of Silence to commemorate cyclists that have been killed or seriously injured. The ride will leave Corning Preserve Boat Launch in Albany at 5:30 PM. Persons wanting to join the ride later may meet the group when it passes by the Boat Launch again between 6:15pm and 6:30pm. There is no cost for the ride and anyone with a bicycle and a helmet may join. The ride will be approximately 17.5 miles and include stops at sites where persons died while cycling in downtown Albany, Watervliet and Troy.
Jose Perez – 8/3/06 (age 60) Bicyclist killed by SUV, Broadway at Quay St., Albany. Jose Perez was remembered Friday as a man who enjoyed a good debate over the state of the world. Jose did not own a car and used his bicycle to get around, often taking rides at the Corning Preserve bike path along the Hudson River. A friend said, “He went all over on that bike.” Dusk was falling at about 8:30 PM when Perez crossed into traffic near Quay St. and Broadway. A sport utility vehicle heading north could not stop and struck the cyclist head-on. Perez was pronounced dead at the scene. His friend explained “He was probably coming back from the preserve and was a little late. It probably didn’t help that he wasn’t wearing a helmet.” Jose’s sister later left this note on his ghost bike, the first installed in the City of Albany: “Attention: I greatly appreciate those who made this memorial in remembrance of my brother José Perez (Ray) I would very much like for you to contact me. Thank you.” The driver, who passed a sobriety test at the scene, will not be ticketed, police said. [SOURCE: Times Union, Section: Capital Region, Page: B4, Saturday, August 5, 2006]
Edston J. Kirnon – 7/22/17 (age 42) Bicyclist collided with side of CDTA bus, N. Pearl St., Albany a block north of the Palace Theater at the intersection of N. Pearl and Wilson sts. The cyclist was killed instantly. Police said, “He was coming down the hill at a high rate of speed and hit the bus.” He was not wearing a helmet. A neighbor, who heard the crash, said the man was her neighbor’s boyfriend. “He was kind and neighborly. He and his girlfriend had a beautiful relationship. They were always surrounded by family and friends, celebrating and laughing. There was a lot of love there.” A witness said there is a bus stop at the corner, but no one was waiting for the bus or getting off, so the driver didn’t stop. There is no stop sign on North Pearl Street, but there is a stop sign on Wilson Street, which is one-way. The bus driver was given field sobriety test at the scene before she was released. She could be seen crying as she got into a car. [SOURCE: http://www.timesunion.com/7dayarchive/article/Albany-police-on-scene-at-bicycle-vs-bus-accident-11307576.php#photo-13283511]
Joshua T. Santiago – 7/9/14 (age 14) Driver hit and killed cyclist who entered a 4-way intersection going the wrong way on a one-way street without stopping. The incident occurred at 19th St. and 4th Ave. Watervliet at 12:44 AM. Joshua had lived in Cohoes the past nine years and attended Cohoes Middle School. He loved to ride his bicycle and listen to music including Eminem and Hollywood Undead. Joshua is survived by his parents, brother, grandparents, and several aunts, uncles and cousins. [SOURCE: ]
Stephen Nolan 6/6/14 (age 53) Driver killed cyclist, King & Federal Sts., Troy. According to Troy Police, Nolan collided with an automobile on 6/2/14 causing his death. He was hit by a motor vehicle traveling north on King Street. At this point, no charges are expected to be filed against the driver. Stephen was survived by two brothers for whom this message was posted, “I remember Stevie so well from the old neighborhood. I’m sorry to hear of his passing. My thoughts are with both of you at this time.”
Albany Bicycle Coalition 