Canberra Cyclists Ride in Memory of Fatal Crash Victims

Hundreds of cyclists gathered in Canberra on Saturday to remember two members of their community who were killed in a car crash on Gungahlin Drive last month.

Bridie Lee, 32, and Ryan Riethmuller, 39, were part of a group of five cyclists who were struck by a blue Hyundai Accent at about 6:20am on August 27 in Palmerston. Ms Lee died at the scene, while Mr Riethmuller died days later in hospital.

The crash was described as "shocking" by the ACT's triathlon community, of which the victims were a part. Members of the public, including an off-duty nurse and police officer, assisted the injured cyclists ahead of emergency services arriving.

No charges have yet been laid, but police said the driver of the vehicle, a 40-year-old woman, was assisting police with enquiries.

A Memorial Ride

The Canberra Bilbys Triathlon Club, of which Katie Binstock is secretary, organized a memorial ride to remember Ms Lee and Mr Riethmuller and to offer support to those who were grieving.

"It was a shock. They didn't tell me precisely what had happened, probably because they couldn't find the words. So I didn't quite know what to expect," Ms Binstock said.

"We go out expecting that sometimes things like punctures and minor things will happen, but I didn't expect this to be what had happened."

Ms Binstock said the memorial ride was an opportunity for the community to come together and start the healing process. "We knew the community was hurting, and we thought it would be a nice way for them to come out and start the healing process," she said.

"And also, to get together and talk to each other and to hopefully get a bit of courage back to ride on the road as well."

Support for the Community

ACT Triathlon President Lara Lever said the community was close and supportive. "I think today represents just how close the both the triathlon and cycling communities are," she said.

"We share a space on the road, and we all know what it is like to be out there, to share that road with traffic, and feel very vulnerable while doing it."

Ms Lever said the fatal crash was a reminder to take care and respect others on the road. "And that means leaving space, being prepared, that sudden movements can happen, because we are trying to avoid obstacles, potholes, debris, and things like that," she said.

A Lasting Legacy

Billy Joe Walsh said the community was still in shock about the deaths. "We've got the opportunity at the moment to come together, and then going forward we've got a long way to go to make sure that we remember Bridie and Ryan as best we can," he said.

Ms Binstock described Ms Lee and Mr Riethmuller as "supportive, friendly and funny people".

"Ryan would turn to you during a bunch ride or a run, and say something funny that just made you forget that you're actually in physical pain," she said.

"We received a message this week from someone who had come to one session about two weeks ago, and she wrote to us and said Bridie was the first person who spoke to her, and following their conversation, she decided that she was going to join the club and become a triathlete."

"So I think that kind of summarises the effect that these two people had on the community that they were a part of."