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Edmonton cyclist to receive ghost-bike memorial

Christopher Beaulieu of Edmonton was out for a training ride on Feb. 23 when the fat-bike rider was struck from behind by a small pickup truck.

“It’s a steel-framed fat bike. You can tell [from looking at it] that he got smoked,” Christopher’s father Glen Beaulieu said to The Edmonton Journal.

Christopher Beaulieu was a dedicated cyclist who would head out for rides in -30 C. The 21-year-old cyclist was training for at tour he planned to ride this summer.  His regular 30- to 40-km training route would take him through Leduc County, south of Edmonton. In a release, Michael Kalmanovitch of the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters Society said Beaulieu always used lights. His bike was also outfitted with reflectors.

After getting struck, Beaulieu died on the scene, on Range Road 252 near Highway 19.

The collision happened around 6:30 p.m. Glen Beaulieu grew concerned around 7:30 p.m. as Christopher hadn’t returned from his ride. At around 10 p.m., police arrived at the family’s Royal Gardens home to deliver the news to Glen, his wife and their three other children.

“It was the worst shock you could hear from anybody,” Glen said to the Journal. “We had this camaraderie between us that fathers would dream of. He was people-minded. He was my rock. I was his rock. We lost a gem, big time.”

“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Christopher, who are dealing with this tragic and untimely loss,” Chris Chan, executive director of the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters Society, said in a written statement.

“Christopher was not alone in cycling on the highways around Edmonton. Even in the winter, there are many commuters who travel by bike between Edmonton and its surrounding communities. Especially with this winter’s warm temperatures and clear roads, there are even more people choosing to ride for transportation, as well as for fitness and recreation. All road users need to be aware of each other and share the road year round, for everyone’s safety.”

CBC reports that charges have not been laid against the driver of the pickup truck.

A ghost bike will be set during a memorial event at noon Friday on Range Road 252 near Highway 19.

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