Hundreds take to Alaska Highway in memory of cyclist killed last year

Over 100 cyclists clad in colourful rain jackets and helmets gathered at the Holy Family Elementary School in Whitehorse to honour the late Joseph Morrison — a teacher at the school who was killed in a hit-and-run last year while cycling near Rabbit's Foot Canyon along the Alaska Highway. Organizers said the event was to remember Morrison and to advocate for safe and inclusive active transportation.

The memorial ride took place just hours after Adam Lougheed pleaded guilty in a Whitehorse courtroom on Monday to several charges in relation to Morrison's death, including driving while prohibited, dangerous driving causing death and failing to remain at the scene of a fatal crash.

And on the heels of another collision on the Alaska Highway injured a Yukon Para cyclist earlier month. 

Participants at Monday's event remembered Morrison and shared how his death continues to affect them, a year on.

Rosemary Plaskett doesn't typically bike on roads — she's more of a mountain biker. 

"Even just riding up here, I was really nervous," she said. "I'm not sure where the bike lanes are so I was riding on the sidewalks."

Plaskett said she participated to show her support for Morrison's wife, Janine. The two used to work together and both lost their husbands to cycling accidents.

"You say goodbye to your husband one day and he never comes back, and I know what that's like and I know she's doing the best she can."

After her husband passed, it took Plaskett a while to get back on her bike, but eventually she felt able to mountain bike again.

"I knew my husband would want me to," she said. "I find it very emotionally satisfying."

Pat Ross, Morrison's longtime neighbour, arrived early to the memorial ride. 

He remembered Morrison as always being in his yard working on a project.

"We would always talk about safety procedures with Joe," Ross said chuckling.

Ross said that as he pedalled through Rabbit's Foot Canyon with the memorial ride, he'd think of Morrison and safety procedures again.

"I've ridden that stretch of highway over the years many times and I've never really given it much thought, but I sure will be this time," he said. "It makes you think twice about safety."

"This hits pretty close to home."

Sara Johnson biked to the school's parking lot with her three sons. She said her whole family commutes to work and school by cycling and that safety is always on her mind.

"Every day when I see that my kids have made it to school safely with their bikes I'm relieved, and every time I hear a siren in the morning or afternoon, I'm worried," she said.

Johnson and her husband are both teachers who bike along the same highway as Morrison to get to work each day. 

"This hits pretty close to home," she said.

Johnson said she continues to do so despite being hit by a car herself while biking to work in 2019. After her accident, Johnson said she and others went to Whitehorse city council to advocate for safer active transportation — but in six years, she hasn't seen much progress.

"To be honest, not a lot has been done, there have been some positive changes, but not as much as I'd like to see."