Riders stage memorial ride for cyclist killed in Bryant altercation
Last Updated: Wednesday, September 2, 2009 | 7:18 PM ET
CBC News
Cyclists raise their bikes in unison during the memorial for Darcy Allan Sheppard. (Victoria Foley/CBC)Cyclists in Toronto staged another demonstration on a major downtown street Wednesday during afternoon rush hour, part of the aftermath of a fatal encounter between a bike courier and former Ontario attorney general Michael Bryant.
Riders took part in a memorial ride for Darcy Allan Sheppard around 5 p.m. ET along Bloor Street between Bay Street and Avenue Road. Dozens of riders occupied two eastbound lanes of the four-lane street. At times, they rang their bells and raised their bicycles over their heads in unison.
In a release, the Toronto Cyclists union said the case is "yet another painfully clear example of the need to better incorporate bikes/cyclists into our transportation network, to better educate all Torontonians about the fact that cyclists have a right to be on the roads, and that we have a responsibility to share this public space, and have more respect for our fellow citizens, cyclists, pedestrians and drivers alike."
The memorial ride came one day after about 100 bicycle riders staged a brief, impromptu protest near the site of the collision by laying down their bicycles on Bloor Street, blocking it off.
Sheppard's death on Monday night was the culmination of an escalating series of events that began after his bicycle was involved in what police called a "minor collision" at around 9:45 p.m. ET with Bryant's Saab convertible.
Witnesses said Sheppard got off his bicycle and hung on to Bryant's car as the former attorney general sped away.
Sheppard lost his grip and fell under the car. He was run over and badly injured. He died a few hours later at Toronto's St. Michael's Hospital.
Bryant, 43, has been charged with criminal negligence causing death and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death.
Police Sgt. Tim Burrows said Bryant had not been drinking. After spending a night in jail, he was released under unspecified conditions on his own recognizance pending a court appearance Oct. 19.
Share Tools
Latest Ottawa News Headlines
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges

- The estranged partner of a young mother who was stabbed to death along with her parents at their home in Aylmer, Que., has been charged with first-degree murder Friday. more »
- Double-lung recipient dances on Ellen show
- Organ donation advocate Hèlène Campbell of Ottawa made her second appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, but her first since undergoing a double-lung transplant. more »
- Canadian woman continues tweeting her way to the top of Everest
- Sandra Leduc is taking a second run at Mount Everest's summit after a deadly storm forced her back down the mountain and killed four others on Sunday. The Canadian lawyer and government worker is tweeting her progress along the way. more »
- Teens share bullying tales in confession booth
- Raw stories about bullying emerged when a video booth was set up inside a Quebec high school. more »
Top News Headlines
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- The husband of a Toronto woman who died trying to climb Mt. Everest on Saturday says his family is not seeking government help to cover the cost of bringing his wife's body home. more »
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- B.C. Premier Christy Clark says she is not happy with the RCMP decision to transfer a disgraced Alberta Mountie to the West Coast. more »
- Henrique's OT goal sends Devils into Stanley Cup final
- The New Jersey Devils will vie for a potential fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history after defeating the New York Rangers in six games in the Eastern final, courtesy of rookie Adam Henrique's goal early in overtime. more »
- Employment Insurance review boards to be scrapped
- The federal government is scrapping two review boards used by people appealing decisions made about their employment insurance. more »
Most Viewed/Commented
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- Ottawa man in hospital after lightning strike
- Double-lung recipient dances on Ellen show
- Birds attack Ottawa joggers
- Woman pinned between forklifts in Ottawa warehouse
- Pants-pulling case draws 24 more charges
- Ottawa race weekend road closures
- Teens share bullying tales in confession booth
- Victim named in Queensway rollover crash

