A touching memorial has been created in Montreal to honor a young man who tragically lost his life in a bus accident.
The “ghost shoes” memorial, located at the intersection of Saint-Denis and Rachel streets, serves as a reminder of the life of 23-year-old Clément Ouimet, who was struck and killed by a bus while riding his bike in October 2017.
The memorial, which was organized by Ouimet’s family and friends, consists of a pair of white shoes hanging from a telephone wire, a common symbol used to commemorate the loss of a loved one in the cycling community.
Ouimet’s mother, Suzanne Lareau, spoke at the unveiling of the memorial, expressing her gratitude for the support and love shown by the community.
“It’s a beautiful gesture, and it’s very touching to see how much people care,” Lareau said.
The young man’s father, Pierre Ouimet, also spoke at the event, emphasizing the importance of road safety and the need for drivers to be more aware of cyclists.
“We need to make sure that drivers are more careful and that they respect cyclists on the road,” he said.
The “ghost shoes” memorial serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers that cyclists face on the road and the need for increased safety measures.
According to statistics from the City of Montreal, there were 1,000 reported accidents involving cyclists in 2019, with 10 of those resulting in fatalities.
The city has implemented various measures to improve road safety for cyclists, including the addition of bike lanes and the implementation of a Vision Zero plan, which aims to eliminate all traffic-related deaths and serious injuries by 2022.
However, more needs to be done to ensure the safety of cyclists on the road, and the “ghost shoes” memorial serves as a poignant reminder of this.
The memorial has also sparked conversations about the need for better infrastructure and education for both drivers and cyclists.
As the cycling community continues to mourn the loss of Clément Ouimet, the “ghost shoes” memorial stands as a powerful symbol of remembrance and a call to action for safer roads for all.
