Philadelphia held a massive bike ride on Sunday to raise awareness about bike safety, with over 100 cyclists participating in an event that honored those who have tragically lost their lives in car accidents. Among the participants was Sidney Ozer, whose 17-year-old son, Samuel, was killed by a vehicle while riding his bike home from work on Father’s Day in 2020.

Samuel’s death occurred on Henry Avenue, one of the city’s most dangerous streets for traffic fatalities. According to the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Complete Streets, there were over 110 traffic fatalities this year alone, including ten cyclists. Laura Fredricks, co-founder of Families for Safe Streets of Greater Philadelphia, highlighted the need for safer streets and called upon government representatives in Harrisburg to listen to advocates’ demands for safe street legislation.

Advocates are pushing for more bike lanes with a row of parked cars to protect cyclists from traffic and want to extend the Speed Camera Pilot Program. Ozer believes that if these safety measures had been put in place earlier, his son may still be alive today. As Thanksgiving approaches and marks the first anniversary without Samuel, Ozer is determined to keep his memory alive and fight for safer streets in his honor.

The event brought together cyclists from all walks of life who shared a common goal: making our streets safer for everyone. The ride was led by local cycling groups and organizations that have been working tirelessly to promote bike safety in the city.

As we reflect on the loss of Samuel and other victims of traffic accidents, we must take action to prevent such tragedies from happening again. By advocating for safe street policies and investing in infrastructure like bike lanes and speed cameras, we can create a safer environment for cyclists and reduce the number of people who are hurt or killed on our roads every year.

In conclusion, it is important that we continue to push for safer streets not just as an honor to Samuel but also as a step towards creating a better future for everyone who uses our roads.