WATCH ABOVE: He was planning the journey of a lifetime – cycling to the U.S. – but last week, an avid cyclist lost his life doing what he loved. Kendra Slugoski spoke with his family.
EDMONTON – Friends and family are paying tribute to an Edmonton cyclist killed in a collision.
“We’ve raised a good boy,” said Glen Beaulieu, the father who lost his 21-year-old son Christopher. “Too fast… I don’t know how to replace him. I see his face everyday.”
“It’s just senseless,” said Christopher’s mother Elizabeth Bulko.
“I just tell everybody out there ‘hug your boys, hug your boys,'” added Glen.
“You don’t know when you’re going to hug them again.”
The Edmonton Bicycle Commuters Society will be installing a Ghost Bike Memorial Friday in Leduc County to commemorate Beaulieu’s life.
According to the society, he was struck by a vehicle on a rural road north of the airport on Feb. 23. They say it happened about an hour after he left work in south Edmonton at around 5:30 p.m. He died on scene.
Beaulieu was riding his bike as part of a training ride for an upcoming tour.
Leduc RCMP have told family the 21-year-old was hit from behind by a truck and died on scene, but the fatality is still under investigation. Police say it’s a challenging investigation because it was dark at the time Beaulieu was hit and there are no street lights in the area.
“Christopher was not alone in cycling on the highways around Edmonton,” said Chris Chan with the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters Society.
“Even in the winter, there are many commuters who travel by bike between Edmonton and its surrounding communities.”
Beaulieu’s family describe him as an avid cyclist. He had recently purchased a fatbike, and was planning to go on a cycling trip to California.
Chan notes it was common for cyclists to ride during the winter months, particularly on a day like the one Beaulieu was killed, when the temperature was 5°C and conditions were clear.
“Especially with this winter’s warm temperatures and clear roads, there are even more people choosing to ride for transportation as well as for fitness and recreation. All road users need to be aware of each other and share the road year round, for everyone’s safety.”
The bicycle society was contacted by Beaulieu’s work colleagues, requesting a Ghost Bike be installed in his memory.