Cyclists Pay Respects to Motsenigos

On Weston Road a few feet north of Linden Street exists a vigil to mark the spot where after he was struck by a passing truck Friday afternoon. On Monday morning, fellow cyclists stopped by to pay their respects.

Bruce Kalow typically commutes on his bicycle from Newton to Somerville. On his day off, he decided to ride in Wellesley when he happened by the vigil.

“It’s a horrible, horrible thing,” he said.

Kalow said he sustained six broken ribs after a car hit him in Watertown years ago. Though he didn’t know Motsenigos personally, he said he rode with him in this year’s Pan Mass. Challenge.

“We’re vulnerable out there, these cars are 2,000 pounds,” he said.

Lee Toma, who commutes from Milton to Natick along Route 135, set his bicycle down to look at the vigil Monday morning.

Toma rides the densely populated route 19 miles each way, every day. For him, the accident brings up a frightening reality.

“It’s something every cyclist worries about,” he said.

Flowers line the vigil, along with the popular pro-cyclist bumper sticker which says, “Same Roads, Same Rights, Same Rules.”

Motsenigos leaves behind a 6-year-old son. The crash hits home for Kalow, who has a family of his own.

“He has a 6-year-old who will never see him again,” he said. “I love my sport but I have to reconsider what’s important.”