The scene from the Susan Hicks Memorial event, 2015

All are welcome to join the one-year memorial event, ride, and fundraiser

Friday, October 21 2016
It’s been one year since we lost Pitt alumna and bicyclist Susan Hicks, after a car struck her on Forbes Ave when she was riding her bike home from campus. As assistant director for Academic Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh, Susan mentored students, encouraging them to explore the world. As a scholar, she authored a text on the Saha region of Russia that residents call definitive. And as a friend and loved one, she embodied kindness, thoughtfulness and passionate engagement with ideas.

On October 21st, join us in a memorial event and ride to honor her life, recognize the efforts made in the past year to prevent future deaths, and advocate for the safety improvements needed to truly protect cyclists like Susan.

• Memorial event at Pitt – 4:30pm
• Memorial Bike Ride – leaves Oakland ~5:30pm
• Happy Hour Fundraiser – 5:00-8:00pm
• Bike ride ends at Brillobox, 4104 Penn Ave – riders should arrive ~6:15pm
• Russian Toast for Susan ~6:30pm

More details, keep reading:
Memorial event at Pitt – 4:30pm

4:30pm – Susan’s family and friends, elected officials, and bicycle advocates will remember Susan Hicks, and discuss what has occurred, and what is yet to be done, to ensure bicyclists can travel safely through Oakland and Pittsburgh.
Please feel free to bring a decoration like flowers or ribbons for her ghost bike.
Where: Meet at Susan’s Ghost Bike, on Forbes Ave next to the Cathedral of Learning

Ride and Fundraiser – 5pm-8pm

~5:30pm – After the memorial event, you’re invited to ride with us to Brillobox for a fundraiser for the Susan Hicks Memorial Scholarship Fund. 412Flock will assist with ride marshaling.
Russian Toast and Fundraiser at Brillobox

5-8pm – Brillobox, 4104 Penn Ave (corner of Penn and Main)

Bike ride should arrive around ~6:15pm

$10 suggested donation

Proceeds benefit the Susan M. Hicks Memorial Scholarship Fund

6:30 pm Russian toast for Susan

Facebook event page

Can’t make the event? Donate to the Susan M. Hicks Memorial Scholarship Fund here: www.giveto.pitt.edu/hicks

Context

Oakland is the third largest business district in Pennsylvania, home to business, hospitals and universities creating a rich street life. Yet, despite the large number of pedestrians and people on bikes, the Oakland neighborhood has been one of the most dangerous sections of town for non-motorized transport. The two major roadways, Fifth and Forbes Avenues, bisect this university district creating a corridor that seems to lend itself to speeding and aggressive driving, and leading to numerous tragedies.  As a bicycle commuter, Susan navigated this environment daily. It ultimately cost her her life.

Oakland is at a turning point. With planned bike lanes, sidewalk extensions and other tools for non-vehicle transportation proposed, we have the opportunity to create an environment respectful of pedestrians, cyclists, transit and cars alike.

That’s an important start.  However, more needs to be done to curb the aggressive driving that is commonplace in Central Oakland, through Pitt’s campus. Thus far, ideas to support a multi-modal transportation vision, including bike lanes, are on hold until the planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project – under consideration for many years – moves forward.
To stay involved with change in Oakland, please join over 600 other people and add your name to BikePGH’s Action for a Safe Fifth/Forbes list.