For anyone who knew Brad Dean, Sunday is going to be an emotional day.
It will be almost a year to the day since 33-year-old avid cyclist Dean was killed after his group collided head-on with a car on the eastern-most section of River Road during a Sunday morning training ride.
Two other cyclists in the six-strong Gastown Cycling Club group, most of whom were from Vancouver, sustained serious injuries in the crash and are still recovering.
On Sunday, the group — along with the Just Giver 4 PD Cycling Club (of which Dean was also a member) — will host its inaugural Ride to Remember, in honour of their injured and fallen friends and fellow riders.
Hundreds of cyclists are expected to turn out at Second Beach in Stanley Park at 10 a.m. for the event.
Among them will be John White, who was one of the cyclists seriously injured next to Dean in last year’s fateful bike ride.
“I’m absolutely going to be taking part on Sunday,” said White, director of the Gastown club, who’s still on the road to recovery after only getting back in the saddle a couple of months ago.
“We’re anticipating a few hundred, depending on the weather; there was about 500 for Brad’s memorial ride last year after the accident.
“It’s not just about Brad, though. It’s an event that allows us to remember everyone whot has been lost or injured while cycling.”
Charges have yet to be laid against the driver of the Lexus that hit Dean’s group who, according to police, were travelling eastbound in single-file at the time.
![Brad](https://www.vmcdn.ca/f/files/glaciermedia/import/lmp-all/1093381-03braddean2.jpg;w=960)
White said he didn’t want to speak about any potential charges, preferring to focus on this Sunday and to “remember Brad; who was a close friend.
“It will be an emotional day for everyone,” he added.
Asked by the Richmond News if any charges have been laid against the driver, a spokesperson for Richmond RCMP said on Thursday that police have completed the investigation and a report is now being “reviewed by Crown Counsel to determine if any charges will be laid.”
The News reported at the time how the driver, a 19-year-old male from Burnaby, remained at the scene and cooperated with police. He did not sustain any injuries.
The eastern-most section of River Road, close to where it meets Westminster Highway, has been the scene of multiple crashes and fatalities in recent years.
Since the fatal crash last November, the City of Richmond has sought to make that section safer by installing more signage and will soon lay down 20 more speed humps in a bid to slow down traffic.