Porto Alegre sees protest against cyclist's death.
Hundreds of cyclists rode through the streets of the capital in protest against the death of architect Joel Fagundes, 62; he was run over by a taxi; the case is being investigated by the Traffic Police; this is the first victim of 2015; last year, six cyclist deaths were recorded.
Jaqueline Silveira, On the 21 - Hundreds of cyclists rode through the streets of the Capital on Tuesday night (10) in protest against the death of architect Joel Fagundes, 62 years old. A cyclist, he was run over by a taxi on the morning of last Sunday (8) and the case is being investigated by the Traffic Police. This is the first victim of 2015. Last year, six cyclist deaths were recorded.
Starting from various parts of the city, cyclists gathered at Largo Zumbi dos Palmares. The initiative, "Ghost bikes for a father, for a husband, a friend, a brother, a son, a Joel Fagundes," was organized through the social network Facebook. From there, they headed towards Avenida Severo Dullius, in the North Zone, the place where Fagundes was run over, to install a Ghost bike. Besides honoring the victim, the goal is to prevent the architect's death from being forgotten.
Before the start, the hundreds of cyclists, a large part of the Critical Mass movement, shouted: "Joel Fagundes, present!" The movement's organizer, Eduardo Macedo, was responsible for preparing an old bicycle belonging to the architect himself to leave it at the accident site: he painted it white and welded it shut. He also carried the Ghost bike the entire way attached to his bicycle. "I rendered it completely unusable," Macedo said, to prevent the Ghost bike from being stolen.
The demonstration, according to him, combined two motives: "The idea was partly to pay homage and also to raise awareness." Regarding the initiative, he stated that "someone had to do it." "I'm part of the same family as him (Fagundes) who ride bicycles," Macedo added.
The architect's family also attended the demonstration. "The most important thing is that it brings some comfort," commented Rita Fagundes, regarding the cyclists' initiative. "If they manage to save one life, it will have been worthwhile. The bicycle was chosen as his partner for all moments," said his daughter, emotionally, about raising awareness to reduce the number of accidents involving cyclists.
Accompanied by agents from the Public Transportation and Traffic Company (EPTC) and a vehicle from the Military Brigade, the cyclists traveled the route, alternating silence with phrases such as "More love, less motor." A feeling of revolt also prevailed. At the intersection of Venâncio Aires and Érico Veríssimo Avenues, they stopped to honor a cyclist who died there after being run over by a bus.
Along the route, more cyclists joined the ride. In front of the city hall, they observed a minute of silence. After more than an hour and a half from the departure point at Largo Zumbi dos Palmares, the hundreds of cyclists arrived at Avenida Severo Dullius, a moment marked by great emotion from family and friends who surrounded the Ghost bike, which had a bouquet of white flowers, unable to hold back their tears. “Come on, everyone! Let's lift this man up!” some cyclists called out, in a symbolic reference to the bicycle being placed on a lamppost.
While the Ghost bike was being secured, shouts of "Joel Fagundes, present!" alternated with much applause. A banner with a caricature of the architect alongside his cycling companion was attached to the bicycle. Finally, another minute of silence was observed, and the cyclists raised their bikes and recited the Lord's Prayer.
Movement
Ghost bikes began being installed in the capital four years ago to honor the victims and raise public awareness of accidents. During this period, 15 ghost bikes have been installed in different locations in Porto Alegre where fatal cyclist accidents have occurred. The initiative also exists in other countries such as the United States and England.