Category Archives: Ghost Bikes

Ghost Bike

• Edston J. Kirnon – July 22, 2017 (age 42) Bicyclist collided with side of CDTA bus, N. Pearl St., Albany
• Roger L. Sawyer – October 19, 2017 (age 31) Bicyclist run down by SUV, Washington Ave. Ext., Albany

We went almost a year and a half without a bicycle fatality. This ended July 22, 2017 with Edston Kirnon’s fatal collision with a Capital District Transportation Authority bus on N. Pearl St. at Wilson St. This was followed in two months on October 19, 2017 by Roger Sawyer being stuck down by a SUV as he crossed Washington Ave. Ext. at Springsteen Rd. by Crossgates Commons/Walmart big box mall. Roger was on his way to work.

The FOILed Albany Police Department report states that the SUV was heading west on Washington Ave. in the left (passing) lane and that Sawyer “… turned West [left] and traveled in the left lane along the guard rail. V1 [SUV] did strike V2 [bicycle] west of the crosswalk causing the operator of V2 to strike V1.”

Ride of Silence – 11 Years – The national Ride of Silence organization has authorized ABC’s using the 10-Year Anniversary logo since we are on record as having conducted the Albany ROS each year for that period. Going back those 11 years, we have lost John J. Cummings, Robert Agne, Stephen Nolan, Brian Bailey, Matthew Ratelle, and Paul J. Merges and now Edston J. Kirnon and Roger L. Sawyer.

This year’s Ride of Silence will be on Wednesday, 5/16/18.  Meet at the Albany Riverfront Park/Row Center (Colonie St.) at 6:00 or at Capital Park-Education Building 6:30. New memorial sites at N. Pearl/Wilson Sts. and Washington Ave. Ext. (or 6-Mile Park) https://albanybicyclecoalition.com/

Please remember your fellow riders:

• Edston J. Kirnon – July 22, 2017 (age 42) Bicyclist collided with side of CDTA bus, N. Pearl St., Albany
• Roger L. Sawyer – October 19, 2017 (age 31) Bicyclist run down by SUV, Washington Ave. Ext., Albany
• John J. Cummings – January 27, 2016 (age 65) Bicyclist
• run down from behind and killed, Amsterdam Rd., Glenville
• Robert Agne, DVM – September 7, 2015 (age 54) Bicyclist
• killed by sleeping driver who crossed centerline, Rt. 30 Pawlet, VT
• Stephen Nolan – June 2, 2014 (age 53) Bicyclist killed by
• car, King & Federal Sts., Troy
• Brian Bailey – March 11, 2014 (age 37) Bicyclist killed by truck, Route 9W, Ravena
• Matthew Ratelle – December 20, 2012 (age 40) Bicyclist killed by impaired driver, Rt. 22, Petersburg
• Paul J. Merges, Jr. – November 24, 2012 (age 45) Bicyclist killed by drunken driver/pickup truck, Manning Blvd. & Roosevelt St., Albany
• Nicholas Richichi – October 19, 2007 (age 53), Bicyclist killed by motor coach, Fuller Rd., Colonie
• Diva De Loayza – June 6, 2007 (age 40) Bicyclist killed by car, Western Ave. at Homestead Ave., Albany
• Alan R. Fairbanks – October 29, 2006 (age 72) Bicyclist hit by car/died, Rt. 5-S at bicycle path, Rotterdam)
• Jose Perez – August 3, 2006 (age 60) Bicyclist killed by SUV, Broadway at Quay St., Albany.
• Joel Melnikoff – July 3, 2006 (age 49) Bicyclist killed by drunken driver, Rt. 32, Bethlehem
• David Ryan – June 29, 2004 (age 32) Bicyclist killed by reckless driver, Riverview Rd., Rexford
• Robert F. Zayhowski – July 16, 2000 (age 43) Bicyclist killed by drunken driver/SUV, Rt. 66, Sand Lake

A ghost bike reminds us that all road users are responsible for all other users – whether in cars, on foot, in wheel chairs, on public transit, and on bicycles. As long as a ghost bike remains in place, it serves as a graphic reminder that someone was killed in a crash – regardless of fault or responsibility.

A second and more touching reason is that the ghost bike provides the surviving loved ones a focus for their loss, and, by their commemoration, serves as beacon for the rest of us.

On 9/3/12, Matthew was riding north on Rt. 22 toward Hoosick falls at 8:30 AM on a clear day on a straight, smooth road with wide shoulders. He was an avid, experienced cyclist.

Becky Goodermote struck him from behind and left Matthew lying by the road 30 feet from where she hit him. Goodermote, 37, was charged with leaving the scene of a serious personal injury accident, operating a vehicle while impaired by drugs, driving with a suspended registration and failure to use due care.

Matthew died on 12/20/12 having been in a coma since struck. His third child was born during that time. He left Jennifer, his wife, and children, Kylie, Connor, and the baby. He worked at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in radiology.

A local business owner went to the scene. “It was pretty bad. I saw one of his shoes and thought it was a young kid at first. It was a big mess,” he said.

A Rensselaer County judge sentenced Goodermote to 2⅓ to 7 years for her plea to leaving the scene of an accident that caused a death and 1⅓ to 4 years for criminally negligent homicide, both felonies. Everybody loses …

His ghost bike was installed 1/13/13 near the point of impact a few days after Matthew died. Jennifer, Matthew’s widow, visits frequently leaving flowers and cards. Below is the ghost bike shortly after St. Valentine’s Day, 2018.

Read more: https://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Cyclist-dies-of-crash-injury-4135692.php#ixzz2FgpQPcO

Obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/timesunion-albany/obituary.aspx?n=matthew-ratelle&pid=161866101&fhid=5076

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Annually, there is a “Ride of Silence” in Albany to commemorate those who were killed or injured while riding and to remind us all – drivers and cyclists – to be careful. We pass by and stop at the ghost bikes sites in the city – Paul Merges, Nicholas Richichi, Diva DeLoayza, and Jose Perez. This year there are two new sites – two new fatalities. A daughter of a deceased rider, the wife of yet another, and another’s co-workers sometimes join the ride. This year’s ride is on Wednesday, 5/16/18 starting at 6:00 PM at the Row Center in Albany Riverfront Park and at 6:30 at Capital Park Washington Ave.