Christopher Dempsey will be leading a memorial ride for Jane Bishop this Thursday November 17th and invites all of us to join him:
In November 2010, a young woman was cycling home in the evening to Mission Bay from her workplace in the city. The weather was mid-spring, mild, and warm, and the light held promise of great times, while out in the Hauraki, the everlasting presence of Rangitoto stood, silent, and poised. As Jane Bishop came around the corner of Tamaki Drive by Kelly Tarltons, she unfortunately was ‘doored’, where a driver, parked on the side of the road, simply opened his door without checking for cyclists or passing vehicles. Ms Bishop was caught by this action, and swerved sideways, away from the door, falling into the path of a heavy truck. She was crushed to death.
This memorial ride is simply a ride to remember Ms Bishop, and to remind ourselves and others of the fact that despite many advances in cycling in Auckland, we still remain at risk. It is also a ride to simply remember a young woman who just wanted to get home, to have a glass of wine and cook a dinner with her flatmates, and chat about her day. Such banal activities, such poignancy. I invite you to join me, riding from Britomart Place to the spot where Ms Bishop died, where there will be a chance to say a few words, before we ride back to Britomart. Meet Britomart Place at 5.50 for 6pm start.
