The death of a man while cycling in Woronora Memorial Park late last year has inspired a unique memorial to all people who have died in cycling accidents.
Ron Doolan, a 39-year-old father of two from Como was killed after a collision with a car while riding in Woronora Memorial Park last November.
His was one about 40 cycling deaths that happen on Australian roads every year.
Determined to give cyclists and their families a special place of remembrance, Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust NSW chief executive officer Graham Boyd and his team began work on the “la Madonna del Ghisallo” Cycling Remembrance Memorial.
The Cycling Remembrance Memorial is named after the patron saint of cyclists, la Madonna del Ghisallo and is the first of its kind for a major cemetery in Australia – a place dedicated to honouring the fallen riders.
“In some parts of the world, like the United States, a ‘ghost bike’ – a road bike painted white – is placed near the scene of the accident,” Mr Boyd said.
“But there are no permanent, publicly listed memorials for cyclists in this country,” he said.
“After what happened to Ron Doolan, we wanted to do something to help give the bike community a focal point for their grief and their memories, as well as to raise awareness of an important safety issue.”
The Cycling Remembrance Memorial is located in “Our Peaceful Place” in Woronora Memorial Park.
This is the location of the annual service under an initiative of the United Nations ‘The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims’ which is commemorated on the third Sunday of November each year.
The area came about after the Enough is Enough Anti Violence Movement Inc. founder Ken Marslew met with Graham Boyd in early 2014 and formed the concept to create this special place.
“Our la Madonna Del Ghisallo memorial is more than a place for family and friends to come to reflect,” Mr Boyd said.
“It is a public reminder that we need to do more to protect our road users, whether riders, walkers, joggers, mums with prams or drivers.
“On increasingly busy thoroughfares, everyone needs to be mindful of each other. Take that extra five minutes and keep alert to get where you’re going.”
Later in the year, Woronora’s sister park, Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park, which is also administered under the Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust in NSW, will unveil its own cycling memorial.
In time, Mr Boyd hopes there will be opportunities for riders to link both parks, perhaps in a community ride starting at midnight in support of safe road cycling.
“Ron Doolan’s death was a tragedy, not just for our Park, but for his family, who could never have suspected something like this would happen to their husband and father,” Mr Boyd said.
“We hope our memorial to riders like Ron will call attention to cycling safety in our community and that more drivers and cyclists will be aware of just how easy it can be, to seriously injure or even kill a cyclist, who has limited protection.
“Above all, we want everyone who goes out in the morning, to come home safely.”
Madonna del Ghisallo Cycling Memorial will be unveiled by Police Commissioner Michael Fuller at a special ceremony on Friday, April 13 at 1.30pm.
During the ceremony, bicycle bells will be rung to toll the fallen.
All community members are welcome to attend. For more information, contact 9545 4677.