Hundreds of cyclists gathered Monday night to remember a well-known and longtime member of Toronto’s cycling community.
Vladimar (Vlad) Zotov, who belonged to the Morning Glory Cycling Club (MGCC), died on April 8, exactly one week ago, after being hit by a driver near the DVP and Bayview Avenue access ramp . He was 59.
Organized by MGCC and Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists, the moving gathering includes a large commemorative bicycle procession from Bloor Street West and Spadina Avenue to the Don Valley Brickworks area, as well as the installation of a ghost bicycle memorial near the place where Zotov was killed. Those present also stop and remove their helmets for a moment of silence in his honor.
“Vlad was an experienced cyclist. Many of us, including myself cycle in this area and part of the bicycle infrastructure is not so particularly safe, so we have to go to Bayview to avoid this,” said the co-organizer of the Joey Schwartz reunion.
“And it’s unfortunate that this happened the way it did and we’re just here to remember someone who was a father, a husband and a cyclist.”
Road violence victim Jess Speiker, of Friends and Families for Safe Streets, also helped plan Monday night’s memorial for Zotov.
“This is always just a stiction event every time you have to put a ghost bike for someone who has been killed. It is comforting, I think, to see the numbers that have become to know how many people are concerned (safety for road users vulnerable) and that you really never travel alone,” he said.
“We know what his family has to go through. They have just entered hell. They will never wake up from this nightmare. It is anguish every day.”
Many people posted messages of condolence on his online obituary remembering Zotov as an “eternal kind, smiling, friendly and helpful” person, someone who was “kind”, “warm”, and who “loved life and He valued his family above all.” other.”
Zotov, who worked as a researcher and scientist at Defense Research and Development Canada, leaves behind his wife Lena and their three children.
His funeral was held on April 13.
Toronto cyclist Vlad Zotov died on April 8 after being hit by a driver near the DVP rmp and Bayview Avenue (photo Morning Glory Cycling Club)
Anyone who witnessed the collision or anyone with dashcam video from the area is asked to contact Toronto police or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
With files from Beth Macdonell of CTV News Toronto.
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