Brendan Tyrrell’s family invite anyone who has lost a fellow rider to annual memorial ride

He is remembered as a man who had a thirst for life. Now, three years after his death, Brendan Tyrrell’s family is inviting anyone who has lost a fellow rider to join them in a memorial ride.

Brendan Tyrrell and his wife Aliesha with their young children.

He is remembered as a passionate, outgoing, and gentle man whose thirst for life inspired everyone around him. Now, three years on from his passing, Brendan Tyrrell’s family is inviting anyone who has lost a loved one in a motorcycle crash to join them in a special memorial ride.

Three years ago, Brendan died after his motorbike collided with a car on Woolcock St, Townsville in May of 2022.

His sisters, Alicia Elliot, Analise Pacey and Georgia Smith said living with the death of a loved one was something that never gets easier which is why this year they wanted to invite other families who have gone through a similar experience to join them on Brendan’s memorial ride.

“We want people who have been through this to know that they’re not alone and if they would like to come and even just meet up afterwards and have a chat, we’d love that,” Ms Elliott said.

Raising awareness for road safety is also at the forefront of the memorial ride with the family urging road users to ‘look twice, save a life’.

The most recent photo of Brendan Tyrrell with his family before he was killed in a crash just days later.

“You’re protected in your big car, but if you’re on a motorbike, you’ve got next to no protection,” Ms Elliot said.

“Brendan was in his full gear, he was wearing his helmet, it didn’t make a difference.”

“When a motorcycle connects with a car, you don’t stand a chance so we’re asking people to just keep an eye out on the roads and be aware that riders don’t have the same safety as you.”

Labelled as an adrenaline junkie by his family, they have fond memories of Brendan growing up on their family farm whether it be jumping on the back of horses without knowing if they were broken in or not, climbing trees to the very top or throwing eggs or cow patties at his sisters or neighbours.

His sister said when he became a father himself, he wanted to instil a similar love for the outdoors into his own children.

Brendan Tyrrell on his favourite bike which he sold.

“He didn’t want them to be stuck behind screens, he wanted them to enjoy the outdoors, to live a similar life to what he grew up with,” Ms Elliot said.

Brendan’s father, Rob Smith said he was someone people could turn to during tough times and would often spark up conversations with people he could sense just needed someone to chat to.

“Another side of him though was very warm and gentle, Brendan had a knack for talking to people,” Mr Smith said.

“He could strike a conversation with anybody … I don’t know how he did it but he found people that were troubled.”

“He also had this laugh, this goofy, goofy laugh that you walk into a room and you hear that laugh and the room just feels warmer.”

Anyone who has a road bike, would like to advocate for road safety or has lost a fellow rider is welcome to join the Ride for Brendan on May 4 starting at Harley Davidson Mount Louisa at 10:30am.

For more information about the event click here.

Originally published as Brendan Tyrrell’s family invite anyone who has lost a fellow rider to annual memorial ride