FRIDAY: Second memorial ride for Robb Mason, killed in as-yet-unsolved hit-run

(WSB photo, July 29: ‘Ghost bike’ silhouetted during Critical Mass gathering)

More than two months have passed since the hit-run crash east of the low bridge that killed Robb Mason, a West Seattle massage therapist riding home to Magnolia. No arrest reported in the case yet. Critical Mass Seattle paid tribute to Mr. Mason with a memorial ride two weeks after his death, and now Seattle Neighborhood Greenways will do the same this Friday (September 30th). The group is inviting people to either ride with them from downtown or meet them at the collision scene. From the announcement:

Robb Mason was killed while biking home to his wife Claudia in July. He was a loving husband, a caring friend, and gentle soul.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Last year was the deadliest year on Seattle’s streets since 2006, with 30 lives lost. This year is shaping up to be just as tragic.

As we laid out in an open letter to the mayor this summer, these deaths are preventable with proven solutions that his administration can implement now.

Join fellow safe street advocates, the new SDOT Director Greg Spotts, a representative from the Mayor’s office, and Claudia Mason and family and friends in a memorial ride on September 30th to honor Robb Mason’s memory, and raise awareness of the need to invest in traffic safety improvements on the streets of Seattle.

Those riding from downtown are asked to meet up by 5:30 pm Friday at City Hall Plaza, 600 4th Avenue. RSVP requested but not required – go here.

15 Replies to "FRIDAY: Second memorial ride for Robb Mason, killed in as-yet-unsolved hit-run"

  • Sandra September 26, 2022 (7:30 pm)

    Robb was such a caring and wonderful man! I was lucky enough to work with him for several years. He truly was one of those amazing people who light up the world! I was shocked and saddened to learn the news of this death!  His killer needs to be caught and brought to justice. 

  • flimflam September 26, 2022 (8:34 pm)

    I can’t imagine the weight of guilt on the person that killed this man – unless they were blackout drunk and they don’t even remember doing it. It seems like enough time has passed to say they won’t be turning themselves in. I really hope they do or are identified in some other manner.

  • Mj September 26, 2022 (10:44 pm)

    flimflam – agreed, so frustrating that the perp has not been caught yet.  I hope that the SPD catches a break and can solve this case.

  • North Admiral Resident September 27, 2022 (11:22 am)

    The incident was recorded on camera. 

    • bolo September 27, 2022 (4:58 pm)

      Are you sure? Do you know where the incident occurred? Is there even a camera there?

      • bill September 27, 2022 (5:11 pm)

        Odds are good the car was photographed by the low bridge enforcement camera. But those images are off limits for anything but  enforcing the low bridge restrictions. 

  • Jay September 27, 2022 (11:32 am)

    SDOT’s “Vision Zero” has been deadly for cyclists and pedestrians. They say it’s Vision Zero deaths, but they consistently make design choices that put cyclists in pedestrians in greater danger in order to make driving more convenient. Their body count is unacceptable.

    • Neighbor September 27, 2022 (1:15 pm)

      I’m curious how this particular intersection can be made safer for cyclists.  What is it SDOT needs to change?  I hear the calls for improvement but I haven’t seen specific suggestions.

    • Smoosh September 27, 2022 (4:47 pm)

      This is a nonsense statement. He was murdered by someone at a bike crossing that has been there for decades, long before vision zero. Vision zero has also been barely implemented. You are just angry about not being able to legally go 40 on marginal arterials rather than a safe, reasonable, and money saving speed. 

      • Jay September 27, 2022 (8:14 pm)

        This sounds like nonsense as a reply to what I said. I’m a cyclist and commenting on the body count hitting 30. 40mph on marginal… what? Vision Zero includes some features like sharrows that almost got me killed on day a couple years ago.

  • Alex September 27, 2022 (3:32 pm)

    Also on that Friday, the Blog reported on 3 people walking on a greenway and a car hit one of the walkers, a 7 month pregnant woman and she flipped over the hood.   The car backed up and three guys got out and stole her phone and then they sped off.     I hope she is doing well.

  • FOIA September 27, 2022 (4:31 pm)

    Has anybody filed a FOIA requests for cars receiving tickets or warnings on the bridge that day betweeen 6-8 PM? It seems like that would narrow the perp pool drastically. If it is illegal to use the video (badl policy) does it mean it is illegal to use the public records the video created?

    • KBear September 27, 2022 (5:15 pm)

      It’s not a public record. Even law enforcement can’t use traffic cam data for anything other than the specific violation for which the camera was installed. Too bad, because the evidence is probably right there. https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.63.170

      • Foia September 29, 2022 (5:39 pm)

        I’m not referring to the traffic cam data, I’m referring to the ticket and/or notice that was issued because of the violation.

  • anonyme September 28, 2022 (11:33 am)

    Horrible that this killer has not been caught, and even worse that he/she has so little conscience that they won’t own up to what they did.  IMO, the camera footage should not be restricted and I would like to see the law changed.  If random strangers can legally take photos of whatever/whomever they want in a public place, it makes no sense that these cameras exist only for a specific traffic violation.  I can’t imagine how the family feels knowing that the evidence is probably right there and can’t be used.

Sorry, comment time is over.