Eye-catching road bikes, recumbent bikes, track bikes and cruisers lit the streets of Baton Rouge on Friday with their blinking safety lights, but the bike that earned the most attention was unoccupied.
A troop of 353 cyclists rode during this month’s Critical Mass ride in remembrance of Nathan Crowson and in honor of Daniel Morris, who were struck by a drunk driver Jan. 21 while cycling. Crowson was killed in the collision, and Morris is recovering in the hospital.
The route led cyclists to the “ghost bike” memorial for Crowson at the intersection of Perkins Road and Quail Run Drive, where the collision occurred. Cyclists adorned the all-white bicycle with flowers and notes for Crowson.
Before Friday’s ride, event organizer Tina Ufford reflected on Crowson, who was an active member of the bicycling community.
“He was a fantastic person who rode his bike and got killed on his bike,” Ufford said. “Most of the people who ride tonight will have Nathan on their lately.”
Crowson and Morris were riding east on Perkins Road when a drunk driver ran over them from behind. Crowson died at the scene, and Morris was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for injuries to his lower body, according to a Baton Rouge Police Department news release.
Alan Mayeux, a friend of Crowson and Morris, announced to the gathered crowd Friday that Morris, who had been in a coma since the accident, woke up earlier that day.
“Danny suffered a lot and is still suffering,” Mayeux said. “Day by day he is threatened by shortages of blood. He has a long road ahead of him that hopefully ends with him back on a bike.”
Friends of Crowson and Morris organized a “Bus Ride Blood Drive” on Saturday, which was intended to provide needed blood for transfusions while also raising awareness for public transportation as a safe alternative to drunk driving, according to Ufford. The blood drive was held in conjunction with a blood drive in Lafayette in Morris’ name.
Among the attendees, the LSU Cycling Club was present to pay respects to Crowson and Morris. Club co-founder Dustin Drewes said that even though they ride for different reasons, he and the members of the club share cycling as a common bond.
University mass communication professor Rosanne Scholl participated in Friday’s ride and is active in the cycling community.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to meet Nathan, and I have not yet met Danny, but most of the people I know did know them. Baton Rouge has felt a lot of sadness this week,” she said.
Scholl said the use of bike lights makes night rides safer, but more comprehensive changes are needed to prevent future accidents.
“What I really want, instead of anger towards the drunk driver, is energy toward the getting more bike lanes, public transportation so people do not drive drunk and better bike infrastructure.”
Larry Riley of Baton Rouge Advocates for Safe Streets said even before the accident, he had been working to get a bike path built on Perkins Road. Arterial roads like Perkins pose the greatest safety issues to cyclists, he said.
But Riley still encourages cyclists to take to the streets.
“Get out and ride. There is safety in numbers,” Riley said. “Studies have shown that the greater the population of bicycles, the safer it is for bicyclists.”
 
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Contact Paul Braun at [email protected]