Last month, 78-year-old Cheng Jin Lai was tragically hit and killed while biking at the poorly designed and dangerous intersection of 11th and Division Streets. Mr. Lai was the fourth person this year killed while biking, the most in a single year in more than a decade. In each of these tragic crashes, the victim was hit by the operator of a large vehicle, in and around SoMa’s dangerous and fast-moving streets.

Mr. Lai came to San Francisco from China, where he worked at a sugarcane plantation and raised seven children. He made the South of Market neighborhood his home, living near Clementina and 6th with his wife. An active man, Mr. Lai’s bike was his everyday mode of transportation, traveling through SoMa and beyond daily.

Cheng Jin Lai

This Thursday, November 14, there will be a memorial and safe streets action in Mr. Lai’s honor (details below) . The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition will join Mr. Lai’s family and friends, City leaders like Supervisor Kim and fellow safe streets advocates for the event. Pedal or walk by the event to honor one of the members of our diverse community, and to show your support for SoMa improvements for everyone.
Event details:

Cheng Jin Lai Memorial Event

Thursday, November 14, 6-9 PM.
6th St Community Room
1008 Mission Street, San Francisco

If you can’t make it to the memorial, here are other ways you can help:

1.Sign our Safe SoMa Streets letter, calling on the Mayor to add separated bikeways, improve intersections and mandate bike/ped training for operators of large vehicles.

2. Join our SoMa campaign and take action for safer SoMa Streets! Email chema@sfbike.org to get involved, or join us for our December 12 meeting.

3. Support Lai’s family’s online fundraising campaign which will be used to pay for the expenses that arose from Mr. Lai’s tragic death.