Darcy Allan Sheppard's Tragic + Unnecessary Death on Bloor »

Darcy Allan Sheppard was a bike courier who had an unfortunate altercation with Ontario’s former attorney-general Michael Bryant last night. On Bloor Street, just east of Avenue Road, something happened between the car-driving Bryant and bike-riding Sheppard that caused Sheppard to slam his backpack onto the car’s hood. What happened next was completely unnecessary, totally excessive and so very tragic.

The car apparently swerved to the oncoming lane of traffic along Bloor, very close to the sidewalk that the cyclist hung over. “He started going [driving] onto the sidewalk,” said Manuel Machado, a construction worker standing on the street as it unfolded.
“I heard the tires screech,” said Ryan Brazeau, another worker. “He [the cyclist] was right literally at the front windshield, almost holding on to the driver.”
The driver was now going west in the eastbound curb lane, leaving the cyclist clinging to the curbside door of the car. The cyclist, clinging to the car as it sped away, then struck trees and a grey mailbox like a “human battering ram,” Mr. Brazeau said.
“You could hear hitting, something, bam, bam, bam,” a third worker said.
The cyclist fell off the car when he struck the mailbox, and collapsed in a heap of blood on the sidewalk in front of Sephora. The driver kept going, hanging a right at Avenue Road.

Darcy Allan Sheppard succumbed to his injuries. Michael Bryant, who left politics earlier this year to take control of Invest Toronto, meant to attract business investment to the Toronto area, has been charged with criminal negligence causing death and dangerous driving causing death.

Courier vs. Car! »

Anyway, the whole thing quickly turned into a two-ring circus with all sorts of people sticking their causes to the event:

This morning, bikers got together in the spot where the courier died and staged a demonstration. Or protest. Or something. Some of them shouted out “murderer”, referring to Bryant, but made some strange remarks in a quieter voice (I was within earshot), “Yeah, if murderer means crusher of dreams, you back-peddling son of a bitch.” And so forth.

How come that kind of thing never makes the evening news? Ah, but that’s okay. I don’t think we should give the gathering too much credence. Most of the messages of condolence stuck to the spot mentioned, in one form or another, how this death was a just another demonstration of Toronto’s anti-bike streets. There was also plenty of promotion for United Messengers‘ Bloor bike lanes campaign. Guess they figured, if that bandwagon’s coming, might as well hang off the back:

So if the purpose of the gathering was to remind us about bike safety, I’d say absolutely! We could probably start by educating some of the bikers, huh?

I did an impromptu tally of helmets on cyclists for about six walking city blocks (major intersections). I counted only cyclists who were riding and on the road. Out of a total of 263 bikers, only about 45% were wearing helmets. I would like to do a follow-up study on how many also have earphones stuck in/on their ears. And coast through intersections on reds without a peek to either side.

I wouldn’t go so far as to totally let drivers off the hook either, but their infractions haven’t been as audacious as some of the stunts I’ve seen bikers pull. The only attempt at an explanation I’ve heard so far is, “We’re more vulnerable.” Umm … is that it? That’s why you don’t have to obey the rules of the road? Because you’re more vulnerable? Okay. Yeah.

Darcy Allan Sheppard Tribute. From one messenger to another.

Toronto, Canada

On August 31 2009 my friend Darcy Allan “Al” Sheppard was murdered by the former Ontario Attorney General and Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Michael Bryant. The incident started when Bryant struck Allan with his vehicle and drove away. Allan caught up to Bryant at a red light and appeared to be demanding an explination for Bryants actions. Bryant then ran Allan over and dragged him over 100 meters to his death, and left him in the street to die. Witnesses said that the motorist repeatedly mounted the sidewalk and drove near lampposts in what seemed to be an attempt to brush off the man hanging onto the side. The attempt was all too successful.

Allan fathered two children in Ontario and two children in Alberta. He has many friends and family that will not forget.

I made this video to show Al in his element, having fun with friends. The first 3 clips are from various messenger races he had attended. He once told me that all he wanted to do was beat me at one. Im sorry that you will never get the chance now Al. You had what it took. R.I.P.

An extended version will be available for viewing soon at http://biketree.ca/

Donations are accepted at http://www.tobma.com via Paypal, or you can visit any TD Canada Trust location to donate in person, please reference Darcy Allan Sheppard and/or provide account number 06906676860.

Your contribution will go directly toward the costs of arrangements and to support his children. If you feel as helpless as so many do with this situation there is something you can do to ease the burden these terrible events have placed on our comrade’s family.

ghost bike installation for Darcy Allan Sheppard
Bloor Street, near Avenue Road
Toronto, Canada