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Memorial Ride Transforms Grief to Brighter
Future
By Margo O'Hara
While the third annual Herron Memorial Bike and Walk commemorates
the lives of pedestrians and bicyclists killed in traffic, the money
raised goes directly to the future of bicycling in Chicago –
its youth.
The annual Herron Memorial Bike and Walk, organized by Jane Herron
and the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, has raised more than $33,000.
These funds directly supported the Drive With Care campaign and
Build and Ride program, a youth bicycling program at Ames Elementary
School.
As a result, the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation taught 25 at-risk
middle and high school students from underserved Chicago neighborhoods
how to build, service and ride bicycles.
The program transcended neighborhood barriers and equipped the students
with greater independence and road confidence.
The students improved their self-esteem by learning how to build
their own bicycles and cycle in neighborhoods where gang boundaries
threatened youth mobility and safety.
Some young people from the original ride are now teaching their
peers how to ride bikes in Chicago.
“It’s been a life-altering situation for them,”
Herron said.
Herron contacted the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation in 2004 because
she wanted to transform her grief over the death of her husband,
Dick Herron, into a vehicle of positive change. As a professional
educator, Jane wanted the money to go toward children and bicycling
in Chicago.
“When I went to (executive director Rob Sadowsky), I was in
horrific grief and I wanted people to remember Dick for his passions
for biking and taking care of people and the City,” she said.
You are invited to gather with Chicago families for the third year
— on Oct. 14 in Lincoln Park — to commemorate those
killed as a result of careless and irresponsible driving.
The donation-based ride will again support youth programs in Chicago
that focus on safe bicycling and safe road behavior.
Donations can also be directed toward the Drive With Care campaign,
which works to stigmatize and stop aggressive driving.
Pictures from previous events, donation information and information
on Build and Ride and Drive With Care can be found at www.biketraffic.org/herron
or by contacting Arline Welty, director of development, at arline@biketraffic.org
or 312-427-3325, ext. 237.
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