We learned today that the 74 year old killed on April 24th at Eakins Oval was Heather Ann Peters, a Bicycle Coalition member since 2012. The obituary in the Inquirer and here describe her life.
“Dr. Heather A. Peters — sinologist, anthropologist, archaeologist, United Nations worker, and human rights activist – was killed on Saturday, April, 24th, 2021 in Philadelphia, age 74. A skilled and experienced cyclist, she was struck down by an SUV as she headed toward the bicycle trail for one of the long rides that she so loved.”
All of us here at the Bicycle Coalition send our deepest sympathies to her family and community. The loss of Dr. Peters reinforces how important our advocacy is to make Philadelphia’s streets safe for everyone, especially the most vulnerable road users. This is why we are working so hard to restore funding to Philadelphia’s Vision Zero program and increase funding for supplies that can be used by the Vision Zero maintenance crew. It’s also why Eakins Oval — many cyclists’ pathways to the Schuylkill River Trail and MLK Drive — is such an important corridor to make safe.
We will remember Dr. Peters at the May 19th Ride of Silence at 6:45 at the North Apron of City Hall for a 8 mile bike ride through Center City and West Philadelphia, ending at the Art Museum steps. Please join us.