RIP, Peter Webster

Peter Webster was hit and killed by a car at about 6pm on a Monday in early May, at this intersection in North Oakland: 52nd and Market. The car was crossing Market, so Pete would've had the right of way. Admittedly, I don't know the details, I don't know who was officially "at fault." All I know is that a fellow bicyclist, riding the same route I often do, at the same time of day I often do, was hit and killed.

I've been seeing this white "ghost bike" at the intersection for the past few weeks as I've taken the #88 bus to work, and wondered why it was there. Today I biked home. The memorial and Google told me how the Bay Area music community lost a guitar craftsman, musician, and bicyclist. I stopped by today at about the same time of day as Peter was killed. That could have been me.

Sunday after next (June 13, noon), there will be a memorial ride for Peter and for Erik Fitzpatrick, another cyclist killed in May when a car opened a door into his path. To honor Peter and Erik, RSVP on EBBC’s website and see the route map on WOBO’s website.

This is one reason I do this work: to make the streets safer for all of us who bike. Ride safely.