In honor of Sarah Howard, an oncology nurse who was hit on her bicycle and killed Friday, a special Ride of Silence will begin in Downtown Boise on Wednesday
The Ride of Silence is a national event that usually takes place the third week of May.
"This ride is called special and informal because it's for the specific purpose of paying respect to Sarah," said George Knight, a member of the Lost River Cycling Club and an organizer of the event for Howard.
Howard, of Meridian, was waiting in the bike lane on Eagle Road at Overland Road for the red light to change when she was struck from behind by a Hummer H3.
Friends and colleagues stopped by to leave flowers on Tuesday at a white bicycle chained to a pole at the intersection as a memorial to Howard.
Nancy Mann, an oncology nurse and friend of the Howard family, was one of them.
"(Oncology nurses) take care of people in the process of dying. We lose people every week," Mann said. "But to lose one of your own, it hits you hard."
The Ride of Silence is a chance for cyclists to mourn and, by their presence, remind the public to share the road.
The cyclists' silence is intended to express a breach in their trust in safe roads.
"For those of us who ride our bikes ... it's pretty dang scary," said Kurt Holzer, an attorney and member of several Treasure Valley cycling clubs. "(Howard) did everything right."
Among the Treasure Valley cycling community, there is considerable frustration that the investigation of the crash remains open, Knight said.
"Every cyclist feels harmed by this," he said. "Anger is part of the grieving process, and this event puts it out there under the blue sky."
The Meridian Police Department is still investigating the case. No charges have been filed.
"Right now, we're continuing with the reconstruction of the crash scene," Lt. Tracy Basterrechea said.
Once that's done, police will meet with prosecutors to decide what charges, if any, will be brought against the driver of the Hummer, Basterrechea said.
Bethann Stewart: 377-6393
