VIDEO: Bicyclist’s widow tells Critical Mass memorial riders ‘We should be safe’

| Crime | Safety | West Seattle news

(WSB photos/video)

Two weeks after her husband was killed by a hit-run driver east of the West Seattle low bridge, Claudia Mason stood near the site tonight, holding his photo, speaking to more than 100 people gathered in his memory.

As shown in our video, most arrived by bicycle, the transportation mode <Robb Mason was using on July 15th to head home from his work as a massage therapist at a West Seattle clinic. Tonight’s monthly Critical Mass activism ride became a memorial, beneath the utility pole that holds a “ghost bike” tribute:

Riders gathered at Westlake Park downtown before heading southwest. At their destination, they were met – and applauded – by Mr. Mason’s widow, friends, and West Seattle bicyclists. Standing along busy Spokane Street, drowned out at times by the evening traffic, Claudia Mason – noting that she’s a rider too – spoke of the need for safety improvements:

Her husband was savvy and hyper-aware, she said, so “if it could happen to Robb, it could happen to anyone.” After she finished speaking, a voice called out, “We’re so sorry.” Bike bells were rung in support. Then riders placed flowers and candles beneath the pole holding the “ghost bike”:

One rider commented on how well-placed the “ghost bike” is, high on the pole; another agreed while lamenting, “I wish they weren’t needed.”

The driver who hit Robb Mason still hasn’t come forward or been found; police have still not said anything beyond that it was believed to have been a white or silver sedan. If you have any information, call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line, 206-233-5000. Meantime, friends have launched crowdfunding to support Claudia Mason, as we reported earlier this week; find that here.

K E M July 30, 2022 (5:53 am)

❤️

Don Brubeck July 30, 2022 (6:28 am)

I am so sorry for your loss, Claudia. Thank you for letting us share your grief for a few moments. You are right. We should all be able to travel safely. We need to care more for each other and less about how fast we can get someplace.

bikerep July 30, 2022 (8:18 am)

thoughts and prayers to our fallen rider, and to his family and loved ones. I drove by the mass last night w/ my 9 yr old daughter after riding our bikes up at Greenlake bmx park and saw the memorial and told her what had happened and what the white bike meant. this is so sad and we all need to slow down, PAY ATTENTION and remember life is so precious! We need to teach and install that in all. BE WELL PEOPLE AND BE NICE TO ONE ANOTHER!

Rider July 30, 2022 (8:26 am)

There is a reason I use the loop to the south of the east side of lower bridge that loops you over to the other side of the road. It might add an extra 30 seconds, but it’s safe and there for a reason.

Kathy July 30, 2022 (9:42 am)

R.I.P. Robb and deep condolences to Claudia. While we were there, many cars passed driving at least twice the speed limit, many of them sports cars that were obviously happy to pay the fine to treat the road like a freeway. A few cars slowed and honked in support. While people driving have bemoaned the temporary loss of their West Seattle Bridge, people walking and rolling have been enduring for many years abhorrent conditions to get in and out of West Seattle. We are forbidden to have such nice infrastructure as the West Seattle Bridge. We must navigate and detour through dangerous places such as Harbor Island, SODO, Georgetown and South Park. Meanwhile, we are traveling with a light carbon footprint allowing drivers more room on the infrastructure designed mostly for their cars. SDOT and Vision Zero, we need justice. SPD, please bring the felon who killled Robb to justice.

WSB July 30, 2022 (9:55 am)

Having stood there from 7:15-8:45, I can attest to Kathy’s description of the traffic. Once the whole group was gathered, there also was someone in a passing car who yelled a slur.
Jort July 30, 2022 (12:46 pm)

People driving illegally across the bridge, speeding, and hurling insults at cyclists. We have designed an entire transportation and social system around these cars, and it in turn enables these driver behaviors. It’s time for radical change.

22blades July 30, 2022 (10:15 am)

Please slow down. For cyclists, pedestrians, other drivers & the general stress of everyone. Late? Plan better. Need for speed? Be a real driver: take track lessons & be a real deal at a track, not a poser.

Neighbor July 30, 2022 (2:03 pm)

What kind of safety improvements are possible in this intersection? Some kind of overpass? Maybe continuing the path eastbound on the south side of Spokane then crossing at east marginal? A chicane for traffic calming?

nothend July 31, 2022 (7:44 am)

An easy first step in making this intersection safer would be to keep the eastbound to just one lane. It makes no sense to expand to two lanes for just 300 feet, then go back to a single lane after the two painted crosswalks.
- bolo July 31, 2022 (10:15 am)
  
  What? Then no one could pass the buses that momentarily stop at the RR tracks there every time!
  Nobody should have to endure being stuck behind a bus that stops at the RR crossing.
  - Kevin on Delridge July 31, 2022 (10:38 am)
    
    Yes, a great tragedy. Can you point to where the bus hurt you?
    - bolo July 31, 2022 (8:42 pm)
      
      Not me personally, but judging from all the vehicles chain-passing the buses that momentarily stop there at the RR Xing, I figured they would suffer a great loss by taking away that short extra lane segment.
      I was kind of joking but they pass there with such zeal and exuberance that it must be very important to them?