Toronto cyclist Vlad Zotov remembered with memorial ride, ghost bike installation
Hundreds of cyclists came together Monday evening to remember a well-known and long-time member of Toronto’s cycling community.
Vladimar (Vlad) Zotov, who belonged to the Morning Glory Cycling Club (MGCC), died on April 8, exactly one week ago, after being hit by a driver near the DVP access ramp and Bayview Avenue. He was 59.
Organized by MGCC and Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists, the moving gathering included a large memorial bike procession from Bloor Street West and Spadina Avenue to the Don Valley Brickworks area as well as the installation of a ghost bike memorial near the spot where Zotov was killed. Those in attendance also stopped and removed their helmets for a moment of silence in his honour.
“Vlad was an experienced cyclist. Many of us, including myself cycle in this area and some of the bike infrastructure isn’t that particularly safe so we have to go on Bayview in order to avoid that,” said the gathering’s co-organizer Joey Schwartz.
“And it's unfortunate that this happened in such a way that it did and we're just here to remember someone who was a father, a husband, and a cyclist.”
Road violence victim Jess Speiker, of Friends and Families for Safe Streets, also helped plan Monday evening’s remembrance for Zotov.
“This is always just a gutting event whenever you have to place a ghost bike for somebody who was killed. It is comforting, I think, to see the numbers that turned out to know how many people care about (safety for vulnerable road users) and that you really truly never ride alone,” she said.
“We know what his family is going to go through. They’ve just thrust into hell. They are never going to wake up from this nightmare. It’s anguish every day.”
Several people have posted messages of condolence on his online obituary remembering Zotov as a an "eternally kind, smiling, friendly, and helpful" person, someone who was "kindhearted," "warm," and who "loved life and valued his family above all else."
Zotov, who worked as a researcher and scientist at Defence Research and Development Canada, leaves behind his wife, Lena, as well as four children and a granddaughter.
His funeral was held on April 13.
Toronto cyclist Vlad Zotov died on April 8 after being struck by a driver near the DVP rmp and Bayview Avenue (Morning Glory Cycling Club photo)
Anyone who witnessed the collision or anyone with dashcam video from the area is asked to contact Toronto police or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
With files from CTV News Toronto’s Beth Macdonell.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Baby and grandparents killed in wrong-way crash involving police on Ontario's Highway 401
An infant and the child's grandparents – aged 55 and 60 – were all killed when a vehicle being pursued by police in the wrong direction on Highway 401 in Whitby, Ont. caused a crash involving at least six vehicles, the Special Investigations Unit says. The driver of the suspect vehicle also died.
Judge holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000 and raises threat of jail in hush money trial
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. If he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
New cancer treatment approved, but not everyone thinks it's what's best for patients
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
This is how many dentists have actually signed up for Canada's new free dental program
A new Canadian dental care program is offering the hope of free care to millions, but while 1.7 million people have signed up for the plan, only about 5,000 dentists have done the same.
Sword-wielding man attacks passersby in London, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring 4 others
A man wielding a sword attacked members of the public and police officers in a east London suburb early Tuesday, killing a 13-year-old boy and injuring four others, authorities said.
Police searching for 'armed man' in Dartmouth, N.S., residents asked to shelter in place
Residents in the area of Gaston Road in Dartmouth, N.S., are being asked to shelter in place as police search for an armed suspect.