Rob Jenner Ghost Bike Memorial
I’ve never been prouder of this beautiful community that took me in as one of their own just over a year and a half ago. I could spend this whole post talking about how thankful I am, but instead, I will simply share Wendy’s and Travis’ speech given at the beginning of the ride and the photos which speak for themselves. Thank you to Ian McCausland for capturing these images.
If you have images that you took and want to share with the community, please upload them here.
“Good evening, my name is Wendy and I’m Rob Jenner’s wife. I want to start by thanking you for being here and the bike community for your support over the last few weeks.
Rob loved riding his bike to work. He looked forward to it so much and hated the days when he couldn’t do it. He always arrived home at 4:20 PM, riding in the back lane like he was Lance Armstrong finishing a race. Since my retirement, I waited for him with the garage door open, knowing I’d see that big smile rolling toward me, full of pride, and feeling on top of the world. He was so proud to be a “bike commuter.”
He must have known deep inside that he was part of something bigger, but I don’t think he knew the reach and depth of this beautiful community.
On June 6, exactly 7 weeks ago, our day looked like it was going to be just like any other day: Rob put on his high-vis jacket, and his helmet with blinking lights. He always left extra early to avoid the rush hour traffic because he knew that parts of his commute weren't the safest. But he loved it nonetheless. It made his day and it made him feel like a kid again.
When the police knocked on my door that morning, shortly after he left, I thought it was a mistake. It couldn’t be him, he had done everything right. But in that moment, my world was forever changed. I don’t remember much about that day or the ones that followed, but I remember what you did. You showed up and peacefully took up space where he was taken from me. You sat there and said, “One life lost is one too many.” You didn’t know me, but you welcomed me and reached out to me saying it could have been any of you.
Rob knew that our streets aren’t always safe for cyclists, so I want to thank you for relentlessly advocating for safe streets. I realize we have come a long way in the past 10 years, but we can all agree that we haven’t come far enough, fast enough and safely enough. One small gap in safety was enough to change my life forever. So I ask you not to stop and don’t take no for an answer. Call your councillor and tell them you want safer streets, not just fast streets. Find your bike community and join them, ask them what they need from you, then show up and don’t back down until you’re safe, until we’re all safe.
We are working with Gordon Bell High School to set up a fund in Rob’s memory, to teach kids how to fix their bikes and ride safely so they can grow up with the same joy you get from riding your bike every day. If you want to find out more, go to Patty’s website at pattybikes.com and put your name on the list to be notified once we finalize the details.
I want what you want. I want to be able to walk or bike safely with my grandkids in my neighbourhood. I want people who can’t afford a car to be able to safely get anywhere in the city.
One gap, one second is all it took to change my world forever. The back lane is quiet at 4:20 PM without my Lance. The trips we had planned will never happen. My best friend and favourite chef is gone. Grandpa won’t be taking off the training wheels when the grandkids come for a sleepover, pushing them and cheering when they ride off screaming with joy.
He may have been “just one person”, but he was my world. There’s nothing we can do to bring him back, but let’s make sure his death wasn’t in vain. Let’s keep fighting for safer infrastructure. And one day I hope that our kids and their kids can ride their bikes along a beautiful protected path and say “My grandpa Rob gave his life for this.”
