Last night, around 200 bicyclists and messengers rode from Midtown to Williamsburg to honor John “Bronx John” Neese and Darren Lewis, two bicycle messengers killed by motorists in the past week.

On Wednesday night, August 9th, a livery cab struck Bronx John on South 4th & Roebling Streets in Williamsburg. A messenger of 10 years, he died on Saturday. On Thursday morning, August 10th, Darren Lewis, was struck by a turning truck on 29th and 9th Streets in Manhattan. He was killed instantly under the rear wheels. Darren was 20 years old.

The ride began near the Javitz Center and visited the locations of the accidents, where ghost bikes had been placed to memorialize the two bike messengers.

Last June, following the deaths of Jerome Allen, Brandie Bailey and Elizabeth Padilla, an alliance of Transportation Alternatives, TIME’S UP!, Right Of Way, the New York Bike Messenger Association, the Staten Island Bicycle Association and FreeWheels demanded Mayor Bloomberg convene a task force to prevent further deaths and injuries to bicyclists. Among the recommended actions was the required implementation of side guards on large trucks, a safety feature which could have prevented Darren Lewis’ death.

Our thoughts are with the families and friends of John and Darren. Ride safe everyone.

Trucker Kills Cyclist on Ninth Avenue and 29th Street (StreetsBlog)
Bronx John Has Passed Away (NYBMA)