Vigil Held in Belfast Following Cyclist’s Fatal Collision

A vigil was held in memory of a man who passed away following a collision in north Belfast last month, attended by his friends, family, and members of the cycling community. Gary McMahon, aged 58, was en route to work when he was involved in a crash with a lorry in the Clifton Street area. He succumbed to his injuries at the site of the incident. The event has since prompted demands for improved cycling safety infrastructure within the city. On Saturday afternoon, dozens of cyclists journeyed from Writer’s Square to Henry Place, where tributes of candles and flowers were placed. A number of attendees observed a moment of silent reflection. Event organisers stated that participants shared a collective sense of grief for Mr McMahon and his family, alongside frustration regarding the insufficient safety measures for cyclists across numerous areas of Belfast. Drew McWilliams, Mr McMahon’s great-nephew, was present at the vigil with his relatives. He expressed, “As a family we’re all devastated.” He added, “The turnout today is amazing and just shows he has touched everyone.” McWilliams further commented, “It’s such a tragedy but out of a tragedy hopefully we have something good come out of it and bring a bit more awareness to the cycling community.” Meghan Hoyt of the Belfast Cycle Campaign, who assisted in organising the event, noted that attendees were unified by “grief, solidarity and anger.” She elaborated, “Grief that this has happened and anger that it was avoidable.” Hoyt emphasized, “Belfast does not have safe cycling infrastructure and it needs the implementation of the Belfast Cycle Network which is a plan that has been around for over 10 years.” She concluded, “We have seen very little movement in terms of safe cycling infrastructure in Belfast, so not just painted lanes on roads but proper safe cycling infrastructure so that people can be able to enjoy the city safely on a bike.” Cameron Clarke stated his attendance at the vigil was to “make a point.” He informed BBC News NI, “I think I’ve nearly been killed four or five times this year already.” Clarke added, “It’s important to come out today and say ‘it needs to get better’.” He further remarked, “I live in a part of the city where there’s ok infrastructure but if I lived in the north or the west of the city I would reconsider cycling.” Niamh Scullion mentioned that she cycles universally. She commented, “It is dangerous, you always have to cycle defensively.” Scullion recounted, “In fact, on the way down today I almost got squashed in between a car and a bus as the car was pulling out and I was in a cycle lane.” She concluded, “It’s definitely dangerous and we need to bring awareness to those dangers.” Cailan Bailes expressed his belief that Gary’s incident could have befallen anyone. He suggested, “I think just making cycle lanes mandatory rather than optional would make a huge difference just in terms of not having to pull out into the main road to get around cars.” A representative for the Department for Infrastructure confirmed their close collaboration with police to aid in the ongoing investigation. In an official statement, they declared: “The department is continuing to progress a number of cycling infrastructure improvements in accordance with the Belfast Cycle Network Delivery Plan”. The department further indicated that it had been “undertaking engagement with key user groups in the development of these schemes before we commence statutory processes to implement legislation for new cycle routes.”