In a touching tribute on Sunday morning, Ghost Shoes and Bike Quebec honored the memory of Michaël Rouzier, a cyclist who tragically passed away nearly 25 years ago in Montreal. The solemn ceremony commemorating Rouzier’s life was held at the exact location where the fatal accident occurred, at the intersection of Sherbrooke Street West and Madison Avenue.
Rouzier lost his life on September 19, 2000, when a parked motorist unexpectedly opened their door in his path while he was cycling on September 10. Speaking at the ceremony, Shanti Larochelle, spokesperson for SVFQ, emphasized the ongoing danger cyclists face in Montreal due to such collisions, stressing that little has changed in the past quarter-century.
The event drew a large crowd, including Rouzier’s family, friends, fellow cyclists, and advocates for bicycle safety. Notable attendees included Etienne Grandmont, transportation and sustainable mobility critic, and Gracia Kasoki Katahwa, mayor of Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.
SVFQ highlighted the significance of the white-painted bicycle memorial, explaining that it serves a triple purpose: honoring the victim, providing a place for loved ones to pay their respects, and serving as a poignant reminder of the dangers posed by motor vehicles. The organization hopes these memorials will prompt political leaders to take action to prevent further tragedies.
This marks the 34th memorial organized by the group in Montreal and the first in the borough of Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.
