Jeff Aken, Co-Chair

Kristi Rennebohm Franz,

Co-Chair
Lara Normand, Secretary

Adam Bartz
Don Brubeck
Leah Curtiss
Riley Kimball
Clint Loper
Merlin Rainwater
Ester Sandoval
Michael Wong

September 3, 2014

To the family and friends of Sher Kung:

It is with heavy hearts that we contemplate and mourn the untimely loss of fellow
bicyclist Sher Kung. As members of Seattles Bicycle Advisory board, we extend our
deepest condolences to her family, friends and co-workers.

This tragedy has shaken Seattles bicycling community to the core. As those of us who
commute or walk past 2
nd
Avenue and University watch the impromptu memorial of
flowers and remembrances grow, we are reminded that prevention of such innocent
loss of life is the very essence of what we work toward. We renew our commitment
and dedication to pushing for safer streets, thoughtfully designed bicycle facilities and
neighborhood Greenways, all of which promote safe use of shared rights-of-way for all
citizens throughout the city.

As many are aware, a pilot project involving construction of a fully protected bicycle
lane is in the process of being installed along this busy stretch of the 2
nd
Avenue
corridor. While the future benefit of this project is small comfort to the victims loved
ones, this event calls for us to work harder to insure that this and other hazardous
corridors are addressed in a timely manner. It underscores the importance of careful
transportation planning and prioritization in the process of saving lives and building
community. It reinforces the need for a culture of empathy and understanding, so that
as we move about on our roads, sidewalks and pathways we do so with the utmost
attention and care for one another.

With a moment of silence we wish to honor the life of Sher Kung as someone who
represents a piece of all of us: citizen, parent, worker, advocate, friend. Her death has
made us mindful of how we, and those we love, are so vulnerable in our daily lives. It is
our fervent hope that we as a community can collectively learn from this painful event,
and that it will galvanize us each as individuals to work towards a safer and more
livable future for our city.

With deepest sympathy to the victim and her loved ones,

Sincerely,

J eff Aken Kristi Rennebohm-Franz
Co-Chair Co-Chair