Dr. Kulakowski Memorial

The third annual ride in memory of Penn State professor and avid bike commuter Bohdan T. Kulakowski was held on Bike to Work Day, April 25 at 5 pm. Dr.Kulakowski was killed in March 2006 when he was hit by a van while riding home from his office on campus. We departed the PSU gates at College and Allen with a police escorted ride to the crash site in Boalsburg.

The ride did not start until well after 5pm so RGBisMe wouldn't have had to leave work early but we had a chance to chat with other bikers as we waited. It was nice that the thunderstorms held off for the entire ride. The mood until the actual crash site was serious but in a friendly respectful way. We were all enjoying the first really awesome week of bicycle commuting of the spring. Getting together to remember Dr. Kulakowski was a good way to end the week.

Over 30 local citizens participated in the ride. There were students, families pulling children in trailers, couples on tandem bikes, racing bikes, double century bikers and regular joes like us. The Penn State Six Pack, Bob Swaim's inline bike for six people graced the front of the procession by leaving one seat empty in honor of Dr. Kulakowski.

Residents stopped their gardening to wave at us as we rode past. Fraternities saluted us with Friday evening brews in hand. One woman nodded to us and clearly stated, "He used to bike this way to work every day."

It was different from a couple of years ago when the news of Dr. Kulakowski's death was young. Two years later, more people seem to be understanding. This was the third memorial ride for him and although the ride through the beautiful neighborhoods has the same welcoming feel to it, this time there was clearly more recognition of why a mass of bicycles were being escorted to Boalsburg.

Gas prices edge ever closer toward $4.00 a gallon. There can not be but an increase of bicycle commuters for those of us who can, will. RGBisMe and I helped place flowers on the ghost bike that has been in place for 2 years. It's visibility has made many more residents aware of the cost of the life of one bicycle commuter. I hope it is reminder enough that we have to share the road.