Lance Hart remembered as artist and friend at memorial event

Last night friends of Lance Hart joined with safe streets advocates to remember the 32-year-old who was killed while bicycling on June 23rd.

A memorial event and ride of silence was organized by BikeLoudPDX, Southeast In Active Motion, and the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood Association. They gathered at Flavel Park to share remarks about Hart’s life and bring attention to the road conditions and traffic culture that led to his death.

KATU TV covered the event:

About a dozen people rode their bikes along Flavel and ended at the Brentwood-Darlington Community Center. “This is not something that has to happen. This is not a cost that we must pay as a community,” said RJ Shepard with Bike Loud PDX, a cycling and traffic safety advocacy group… “It’s been one month, and they say time heals all wounds, but I need a bigger Band-Aid,” said Tom Meyer, Hart’s longtime roommate.

Sarah Iannarone attended the event and shared via Twitter that one of Hart’s best friends told her he enjoyed riding bikes, playing Fortnite and drawing. Hart loved to create graffiti and a friend brought samples of his work to the event.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by another one of Hart’s friends. Tom Meyer said Hart’s father lives in a shelter and that his mom passed away four years ago. “Lance was very fond of skateboarding and graffiti styled artwork,” Tom shared on the campaign page. “He also enjoyed playing pool, throwing frisbee and riding his bicycle. I met him about 7 years ago and he became my bestest friend ever! He is greatly missed!”

The Multnomah County District Attorney has charged Nicholas Martinez with manslaughter and DUI in the crash that killed Hart. According to our tally, Hart was the 26th person to die while using Portland streets this year (there have been 30 total so far) and the second to die while bicycling.

— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org

BikePortland needs your support.