By Assunta Ng
Bicyclists and colleagues honor Sher Kung outside Benaroya Hall and memorialize her bike
By Assunta Ng
Sher Kung’s life was cut short on Aug. 29 when a truck killed her while she was riding a bike in downtown Seattle on the notorious Second Avenue corridor.
An attorney with Perkins Coie, Kung, 31, was well known for fighting for gay rights.
I went to the rally honoring Kung on Sept. 5. More than 200 bikers gathered to pay tribute to Kung, including Mayor Ed Murray and other city council members outside the Benaroya Hall, where she was killed. Several bikers had tears in their eyes. I cried, too, for a fellow Asian American whose life ended so suddenly and tragically, even though I didn’t know Kung personally.
One biker said Kung had done everything right—she didn’t violate any rules during the accident. I believe him.
Her life just faded away despite following those rules.
On the road, bikers are fragile like eggs. How can an egg withstand the force of a rock (a car)! Kung was so brilliant in court, but she couldn’t argue herself out of a death gate. Just one unfortunate decision, and she was out. Life is unfair.
Even though the city is working on safer routes for bikers, I would hesitate to ride a bike on our busy streets. I have seen bikers get hit on both busy and slower routes. I don’t need the risk and fear.
So thank you to the Metro bus service—you are still my kind of transportation. (end)