(Photo: Reed College)
The man killed while bicycling on Southeast Gladstone yesterday was 22-year-old Mark Angeles. He had just graduated from Reed College last week.
Reed’s Vice President and Dean of Students Mike Brody emailed students and staff about the tragedy this morning. Here’s an excerpt from the email (which was also published on the school’s blog):
Dear Reed,
It is with great sorrow that I report the tragic loss of a 2015 Reed alumnus, Mark Angeles. While riding his bike near SE Gladstone and Cesar Chavez Boulevard, Mark suffered fatal injuries in an accident involving a tow truck on Wednesday, May 27. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mark graduated with a major in chemistry just last week. As a result of his many accomplishments, he was recognized as one of Reed’s “12 for 15.” He was well-known and well-loved throughout campus.
Mark’s family is mourning in private and at some point will likely want to include members of the Reed community in a celebration of Mark’s life. We will provide information as it becomes available. In the meantime, we extend to Mark’s family and his many friends our deepest condolences…I hope you will find some peace of mind and solace in this very difficult time and that you will do what you can to offer the same to others as we struggle together to cope with this terrible loss.
Reed has made counseling services available to all students and staff.
Angeles, who moved to Portland from Colorado Springs, Colorado, was an active member of the Reed College community and manager of the school’s Bike Co-op. He also loved cycling. It was more to him than simply a way to get around.
(Photo: Reed College)
On the Humans of Reed Tumblr in 2013, Angeles said, “Cycling is a way of life. It gets you places. It keeps you fit. It’s fun. Really, the thing I love most is the independence and empowerment a bicycle gives you–you can go anywhere, anytime, as long as you have the will to get in the saddle and ride.”
Angeles’ death has hit Reed and our community at large very hard.
Reed professor Paul Gronke said via email, “I don’t know how to respond, I am shocked and scared… somehow I hope we get to a point where cyclists and drivers learn from these tragic events.”
“Two of the recent crashes occurred very close to me, on intersections I ride all the time,” he continued. “I just ordered a new, safer helmet. The brakes on my single speed need to be repaired. But this is going to make me think twice about riding in some areas.”
Nearby resident Marne Duke wrote on the BikeLoudPDX email list that yesterday’s collision has, “Stricken fear into a lot of people, especially those who have other options from riding bikes.” “While PBOT needs pressure on long term policies of how we build our streets, in the short term the residents and riders of our neighborhood are rocked by this tragic event. I had more than one front porch conversation today with neighbors, some ending with riders ‘taking a break’ from bike commuting.”
Early this morning a ghost bike was placed at the intersection where Angeles died.
There’s a “No More Ghost Bikes” ride planned for Friday at 4:30 as well as other demonstrations. Stay tuned for more details and coverage.