Memorial Bike Ride for Megan Charlop

On Saturday, dozens of friends, family and co-workers of Megan Charlop gathered with their bicycles in front of the Bronx Museum of History (Valentine-Varian House)on Bainbridge Avenue. The group cycled with a police escort to Crotona Avenue at the corner of East Tremont Avenue where Charlop was killed by a bus after swerving to avoid an opening car door on March 17.

A white "ghost bike" was dedicated to Charlop and it was chained to a pole near the site of the accident. Several people spoke briefly about Charlop, a beloved Norwood resident and mother of four who made children's health her life's work. She was director of community health at Montefiore's School Health program at the time of her death. Later, many of those gathered, including her children, placed flowers in the wheel spokes, handlebars and other parts of the bike. To close the event riders lifted their bicycles over their heads -- a tradition known as a "bike lift" -- in tribute.

The memorial event was organized by Transportation Alternatives and Montefiore's School Health Program.

Adi Talwar took this photo slideshow of the ride and the ceremony. The first photo is of her husband, Richard Powers (with the megaphone) who addressed the group in front of the Museum before they set off on their ride. To his right are his son and duaghter, Aaron and Sarah Charlop-Powers.