PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Bike advocates and lawmakers joined friends and family of Barbara Friedes in Rittenhouse Sunday morning for a memorial to both honor her and raise more awareness of bike safety.
Friday marked two years since the 30-year-old Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia oncology doctor was struck and killed by a drunk driver while riding her bike to work. She was in the bike lane wearing a helmet. Sunday’s event took place at 18th and Spruce streets, where the tragedy happened.
City Council President Kenyatta Johnson stood alongside Friedes’ family as they made an emotional plea for greater safety improvements along those streets.
“Traffic violence is a major issue here in the City of Philadelphia, and so we have to raise this level of priority the same as we do gun violence, right? When someone gets shot, we show up and enact policy. We have to address this issue the same way,” he said.
An “angel bike” — a bike painted white and adorned with Friedes’ favorite flower, the sunflower, as well as little stuffed animals — was propped up against a street pole as many took the mic to share a few words.
“We also have a memorial barrier that we painted with a mural of 12 sunflowers that represents the 12 people who’ve died in traffic violence since Barbara was killed two years ago,” said Jesse Amadio with Philly Bike Action.
The memorial follows the city’s delayed installation of protective bike lanes around that neighborhood until they can be paired with loading zones.
Shara Dae Howard/KYW Newsradio
Earlier this month, a judge blocked the city from resuming work on new loading zones on Spruce and Pine streets.
Attorneys for her parents filed the wrongful death lawsuit against 70-year-old Michael Vahey in June.
He pleaded guilty to several criminal charges last summer and was sentenced to at least 6 years in prison.
Her family said safety measures cannot wait and action must be taken now.
“Looking around, I won’t see her smile. She is around us today in every bit of goodness,” said Friedes’ sister Catherine, holding back tears.
She said safety measures must be taken to prevent another senseless death.
