For anyone who knew Paul Hughes or is interested in showing support after this loss to Bloomfield and the cycling community I've added the information below on his funeral service and an associated memorial bicycle ride this Friday.
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Join us this Friday, Aug 1, Valley Cycling will host a ride to the funeral of fellow Cyclist - Paul Hughes at 10:15 out of Starbucks in Granby, CT (10 Hartford Ave). The ride to Paul Hughes Funeral will be slow, everyone will wear a black arm band - if you have one or can make one - bring it (piece of a black trash bag works fine).Paul's service is at Old Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church, 59 Tariffville Road, Bloomfield - about .5 mile from where he was killed. Go past the ghost bike and take the Tariffville Road exit from 189 and go right at the end of the exit onto Tariffville Road. You will go down and then up a hill and see the church, a quaint, beautiful white New England structure, in front of you. After the service, if anyone wants to visit the ghost bike and lay more flowers, please join Caryn Stedman in doing so.
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| A reminder that we've got to look out for each other out there. |
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| Note the huge shoulder! |
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Ghost Bike Installed for Fallen CyclistFriends and fellow cyclists installed a “ghost bike” Tuesday morning, on southbound Route 189 in Bloomfield, near the Tariffville Road exit, the site of the crash that took the life of Bloomfield resident and Maple Syrup maker Paul M. Hughes. Paul was an avid cyclist who rode for the joy of riding and for his health. He often rode the Duncaster Road, Tariffville Road, Route 189 circuit, a popular cycling route for recreational, training and fund-raising cyclists. Paul was killed Friday afternoon, July 18th, at about 5:15 p.m. when he was hit by a pick-up truck along a section of Route 189 with a wide shoulder well-marked for various fundraising bicycle rides.
Ghost Bikes, an international movement, are eerie, haunting memorials to fallen cyclists. They are placed at the site of fatal cycling accidents to remind drivers of the fragility of life, that cyclists have road rights, and to drive carefully. Ghost Bikes help remember the life and love of the fallen cyclist, provide comfort for the family and friends, and remind other cyclists to ride safely. Hartford cycling activist and blogger Anthony Cherolis donated the bike.
Paul is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren, as well as his maple sugar and cycling friends, and his Spaniel, Henry. Hughes Maple Syrup is well-known in the Hartford area for its quality and flavor, a craft he in which he took great pride. A memorial service will be held August 1 at Old Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church on Tariffville Road in Bloomfield, just around the corner from where he was killed, on August 1.
For more information on the Ghost Bike movement, go to http://ghostbikes.org/.
Related Articles:
- Ghost Bikes: Moving Memorials and a Warning to Drives
- Cyclist takes on mission to spread ghost bikes all over Houston
- Ghost Riders
- For Whom the Ring Tones
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22 comments:
Thanks for posting, Tony. Tonight we went by the site and someone had placed flower on the bike. Thanks - that was lovely.
So sorry for this family's loss.
This is very sad and very disturbing. I wish something could be done to stop distracted drivers. It's almost impossible to enforce the laws. And it's only going to get worse, I'm afraid. (We need someone to invent the technology to prevent drivers from using cellphones while the car is in motion.) Sincere condolences to the family and friends of the cyclist who unfortunately lost his life.
The technology to jam cell phones exists. Just don't get caught using it.
Our sympathy to Paul Hughes family. He was very involved in the Russell Library job group and helped a lot of people find their career path. Also, the Blue Hills section of road he was on should be one of the safest places, with the wide shoulder on the road. I've ridden there and a vehicle would almost have to be drifting to cause that accident. Again, so very sorry to hear about Mr. Hughes passing; a great loss for his family and the community.
Cyclists must remember that there is a difference between a human being and a motor vehicle operator--they're not the same critter. Drivers are a different, sub human species who cannot be trusted.
...and now the child in Suffield - on another stretch or road frequented by cyclists. http://www.wfsb.com/story/26106202/young-boy-injured-after-being-hit-by-car-in-suffield
When will drivers learn? Especially when there are children riding - one has to be extra careful. Roads belong to all of us. They are not the private domain for motorized vehicles.
Darlene P.
I did not hear any name from that accident being released so thank you ghost bike to the tribute to the wonderful man that was killed. It sounds to me that accident was caused by distraction or not paying attention as there is definitely room for both car and bike. Paul being an avid bicyclist obviously knew the rules of the road. So sad, didn't know him but from reading about him online he sounded like a wonderful man. Married 50 years... god bless. He probably road past by my house many times since I live on 189. My condolences to his family and to the community who knew and loved him. I also would like to see police report but we probably never will.
I am very saddened to hear of this. A good man enjoying
his bike ride.
Stay tuned to BBB. I'm planning to put up the police report when available. It appears that typical media sources have failed, so we'll fill the void on this one. A friend is requesting the report, something folks should know they can do.
The responsibility lies with both bicyclists and drivers. Sorry for the loss here but it goes both ways. I've seen distracted drivers and distracted bicyclists too. It's a tragedy any way you look at it. Share the road...it goes both ways.
A full report may be weeks away. Remember that it might contain information that will be hard for the family. Post with sensitivity and care.
In the case of a crash that involves one vehicle overtaking another from behind, the responsibility is on the overtaking vehicle to pass safely. There are only uncommon reasons for the vehicle being overtaken to be at fault. We'll wait for the police report. Either way the fault may be assigned, it will be educational to cyclists and drivers (almost all cyclists also drive).
Agreed that cyclists and drivers can act more safely, but only one is piloting the ton of steel - and too often drivers take for granted the great risk and responsibility that entails.
So true. Media has a hard time of completing stories after the "breaking news". Especially TV media. When in a car, you loose all contact with your surroundings, even more so today than in the past with the climate control running and all of the sound insulation that encases the passenger compartment.
Drivers are licensed by the state. The state needs to do a better job of fining, suspending and/or revoking licenses from drivers that do not obey the laws of the road. The increased fines should go to the local community, not to the state, as they do now - this will drive up traffic enforcement at the local level.
Run a stop sign/red light, $1,000 and 5 day suspension. 5 mph over speed limit $1,000 and 5 day suspension. 5+ to 10 mph over speed limit $2,000 and 30 day suspension. All of these double in school zones.
You get the gist of it.
Please Tony C
Follow-up with the police report. I went by the bike, in fact twice because I ended up taking the right exit and had to turn around and go past it again to take my exit on left. Question, bikes do not cross over onto Blue Hills Ave where the road splits to the left and right do they? If thats the case that would be incredible risk taking for bikes.
This is very sad. Drivers are getting increasingly dangerous because they are doing everything but focusing on the road - reading text messages, putting on makeup, talking. Driver need to stay focused on the road and what they are supposed to be doing at the moment - driving.
The police department is still investigating. A bit ridiculous that it's taking so long. If you're a Bloomfield resident I suggest calling (or emailing) your town government and asking what the hold up is. Someone will be checking in monthly to see if the investigation is complete.
Any update with regards to the police report? There is NOTHING online in the various news sites. I've emailed the papers/authors of the articles & no response. Unbelievable.
I'll check in, but I haven't seen anything from Bloomfield Police or news outlets. It is ridiculous. One of our advocates was planning on touching base directly with Bloomfield once a month until the investigation report is complete - and at that point he was going to request.
I suggest contacting the Town of Bloomfield and letting them know that a large number of folks are interested in the completion of the investigation and potential charges being filed against the motorist.
Contact Bloomfield
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