PORT ORANGE, Fla. – “The same day I realized who the victim was and I knew her. It just made it more of something I really went out and did,” said John Cecil with local biking club Critical Mass Daytona.
Cecil said he’ll never forget ShaoLan Kamaly.
“She was bright for a young age. She had a good personality,” Cecil said.
The 10-year-old lost her life after a car hit her while she was riding her bike near Sugar Mill Elementary in Port Orange. It’s why Cecil helped organize a 4.5-mile bike ride from Reed Canal Park to Sugar Mill Elementary to honor her memory.
”This is a tragedy, and I want people to remember Lana but also at the same time to realize that we need to keep our street safe. We need to coexist with cars and bicycles,” said Cecil.
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A family originally placed a ghost bike memorial in near the school off of Charles Street, but it was removed.
”I just don’t what her death in vain. For her parents and kids who went to school with her,” said Liz Bonds with Sandy Cyclers.
Both biking organizations teamed up to organize this event. Bonds wants to make the memorial ride an annual event.
”When people are driving by, I want if parents are texting, I want the kid in the back seat, to say, ‘Mom get off the phone,’” said Bonds.
New speed bumps, extra signage and more traffic control officers on duty were added on campus since the tragedy.
The riders say more needs to be done.
”I think it’s a lot more that needs to be done. There needs to be barriers whenever there’s bike lanes,” said Bonds.
”Maybe make that area one way during pick up and drop off,” said Cecil.
During the memorial ride, the group stopped at Sugar Mill Elementary for a moment of silence. The group also shared heartfelt words and memories about Lana.
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