Celebrating Dave Marsden's Life While Helping Others

Announcing a Memorial, Ride, and Safe Cycling Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 15, 2006

Contacts:
• Sonya Harmeyer Marsden 703-319-0149 or davesmemorial@hotmail.com
• Elizabeth Preston, League of American Bicyclists: 202-822-1333 ext 215 or Elizabeth@bikeleague.org
• M. Jane Seeman, Mayor, Town of Vienna, 703-255-6300 or myr@ci.vienna.va.us

Vienna, VA -- August 17th marks the one-year anniversary of the death of David Marsden, who was killed in a tragic bike accident in Vienna, VA. Now his family and friends announce three efforts - – a bike ride, a memorial at Vienna's upcoming green space called Vienna Green, and a
targeted bike safety effort -- that will celebrate a man who touched many lives.

Dave’s wife, Sonya gave her very poignant reasons for building this legacy: "I hope you understand that I have to make sure that his death was not in vain; that cyclists and drivers must learn to coexist without shattering any other lives. His friends, family and I wish to celebrate Dave, who made all of our lives richer, and build a legacy in his name. One focused on community, on hope, and on preventing future such tragic incidents. This is for Dave, and for those that come after."

The summer of 2005 found David Marsden at the top of his game. He'd truly hit his stride that summer - 36, a new father to Elsa, a beloved husband to Sonya, a neighbor, an avid cyclist, an investor, a fix-it guy, a dear, dear friend. It was a time in his life where everything had come together.

Dave combined his love of cycling with his dislike of Washington’s legendary traffic and decided to cycle to work. As a member of the U.S. Cycling Federation, Dave was an experienced rider who loved his sport.

On August 17, 2005, Dave was riding home through downtown Vienna on Route 123. As he attempted to cross Mill Street in a cross walk, he was struck and run over by a tractor trailer truck turning onto Mill from Route 123. Dave was dead before anyone reached him. Dave's wife Sonya had to hear the news on her front steps, from the Vienna police. Dave had been killed at 36, leaving behind Sonya and baby Elsa, not yet one year old.

Dave's Legacy
Dave's family and friends gave great thought to how best to memorialize Dave, and identified the following as efforts meaningful not only for them, but that would have meant something to Dave. Taken together, these efforts – a bike ride, a memorial, and a targeted bike safety effort -celebrate not only Dave’s life, but also serve as a symbol of life, of love and of hope for others. Sonya and Dave's daughter, Elsa, will turn two on August 27; what better gift for her than knowing that her father did not die in vain, but will impact the lives of others in the years ahead?

The Ride
On October 21, 2006 people will gather for a Fun Ride – an opportunity for both experienced and novice cyclists to learn more about safety and tips on how to bike to work, or have a fun family ride. That morning, by the Red Caboose in Vienna, along the Washington and Old Dominion Trail, Dave's friends and family, the League of American Cyclists, the Vienna Police Department and others will celebrate both his life and passion for cycling by passing on bike safety information and encouraging safe and fun cycling.

M. Jane Seeman, Mayor of the Town of Vienna, said “The Town of Vienna is pleased that bike safety is being promoted in Vienna by Sonya Harmeyer Marsden and the League of American Bicyclists. Whether one rides for recreation, commutes, or as a family outing, one should know about bike safety. Vienna residents are fortunate to have biking trails and paths nearby and need to know the safest way to enjoy them.“

The Memorial
Coincidently, on the very corner where Dave was killed, the town of Vienna is creating a new green space called the Vienna Green. The Green is a community space, to be used for play, for rest, for quiet contemplation. It is a place that Dave would have appreciated. And now, we hope, it is a spot where he will be remembered.

A renowned artist from one of Dave's favorite places (Michigan's Upper Peninsula) Randolph W. Dunn of Dunn Hill Iron Works, has created a unique and beautiful sculpture for Dave's memorial.
Entitled The Tree of Life, this multi-faceted work speaks to Dave: the tree represents life, the limbs represent the family and the leaves are life's passions. The work is especially meaningful in that it will serve not only as art, but also as a functional bike rack.

Cycling Safety
As a final goal, but perhaps the most powerful aspect of Dave's legacy, Dave’s friends and family would like to try and prevent other cycling tragedies from occurring on our streets. By advocating for bicycle - and maybe more importantly -- driver safety, perhaps we can reach that goal. Preventing even one tragedy of this nature will be a fitting tribute to Dave.

To this end, the League of American Bicyclists has joined with Dave’s family and friends to
create a David A. Marsden Memorial Fund – one devoted to bicycle safety and education efforts. The League focuses its work on promoting Share the Road and other safe biking campaigns. “Protecting riders nationwide from tragic accidents like this is one of the League’s principal goals,” said Andy Clarke, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. “We are glad to be able to help memorialize and honor Dave Marsden, while building a safer America for other cyclists.”

Donations to help promote the memorial and bicycle safety may be made through a tax-deductible donation to the League of American Bicyclist's David A. Marsden Memorial Fund. To that end we are: Celebrating Dave … while helping other cyclists down the road.

For more information or to make a donation, visit www.davesride.org

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