[mukto-mona] FW: Join the bicycle rally for Asif Rahman

Dear Editor,

Please join me on Monday, June 23, 2008 at a bicycle rally to remember Asif Rahman, who was killed by a truck on February 28, 2008 and demand for a bike lane on Queens Boulevard. The Ghost Bike Project has arranged for this bicycle rally. Bicyclists from all over the city will come and meet at Queens Boulevard and 55th Road at 7pm. Please go to www.ghostbikes.org/new-york-city/asif-rahman to find more about this event. Also, let everybody know about this event and encourage them to attend. 

We want safer roads in our city. We don't want to lose our loved one's to reckless drivers.

On February 28, 2008, my 22 year old son Asif Rahman was on his way home from work. He never came home. His life was cut short by a reckless truck driver. He died instantly of internal injuries. Police report was based on the account of the killer driver and the driver was not even charged. I still wait for Asif. He will not come home and say 'hi mom' anymore.

My heart aches when I think of those reckless drivers who hit a bicyclist/pedestrian on the street, shatter his life and dreams and still keep driving on our roads. I can't imagine how could a driver hit and kille someone on a broad daylight unless that he/she is insane, drunk, sick and hisher vehicle has mechanical troubles. In any case, these drivers do not deserve the right to drive on our roads any vehicle ever.

I believe it's important to make our roads safer for the bikers so that they can go home safely to their loved ones. Especially, at this time of global warming, traffic congestion in our city and high gas prices, people are adopting bicycles more than before. Even Mayor Bloomberg is encouraging people to ride bicycles.  In recent years, bicycle sales went up high. Unless we have safer roads (with bike lanes), bikers will not feel safe to ride their bikes. Everytime, I expressed my concern to Asif about riding his bike, he laughed out and said, 'Mom, there are bike lanes everywhere, and I always carry a bike map with me with me.' 
 
Ironically, there is no bike lane on Queens Boulevard where Asif was hit by a freight liner, and his bike map wasn't of any help. The arterial road Queens Boulevard, which is also known as the Boulevard of Death, has no safe haven for the bikers. I can't help thinking that if there was a bike lane on this road, may be it could prevent the tragic death of my beloved son. 

Please join me in my effort to get a bike lane on Queens Boulevard in honor of Asif. Please attend the rally and show your support.

Also, there will be a memorial and tribute for Asif on Saturday, June 21st at 5pm at PS 86 in Jamaica to celebrate his life and work. We will release his first music CD, display his work of art and show his videos. Also, his family and friends will share their memories and recite Asif's poems or do a piece of their own. To view some of Asif's talents please visit www.myspace.com/asifrahman.

Thank you for your time.

Lizi Rahman

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