Ride of Silence to Commemorate Death of Maui Cyclist

Photo by Robin Hagen. Karl and Robin Hagen in 2012 following a cycling event.

By Maui Now Staff

The Maui Bicycling League event will commemorate Kīhei cyclist Karl Hagen, who at age 61, was hit and killed by a pickup truck while he rode in the bike lane on Piʻilani Highway in 2014.

The event will also serve to remember other cyclists who have been injured or killed, and to raise awareness regarding safe driving around cyclists and the need for drivers of motorized vehicles to share the road.

“Karl was an avid cyclist who logged several thousand miles each year,” said Saman Dias, co-chair of Maui Bicycling League. “He was a graduate of the University of Washington, devoted his career to his family’s office furniture business and had lived on Maui for three years. He had a love for music and his vegetable garden. He was a true sports enthusiast and enjoyed sharing his interests with friends and family.

“The cyclists on Maui’s roads are people, just like the drivers of cars and motorcycles–people with families who love them and rely upon them, people with friends and hobbies, people who happen to share a love of bicycling for exercise, transportation and fun,” Dias explained. “We ask all drivers to use consideration and care for our island cyclists.”

The Ride of Silence will start at the entrance of Mokulele Bike Pathway at Target. Riders will follow the pathway to Kīhei and back in a silent, slow-paced ride. Riders are asked to wear white and respectfully ride in silence.

Refreshments will be provided by Karl’s widow, Robin.

For more information about the scheduled events and the Maui Bicycling League, go online.

National Bike Month was established in 1956, and is sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists. National Bike Month showcases the many benefits of bicycling and encourages more people to giving biking a try.