Cyclists ride in memory of Italian killed in Sydney Road dooring incident

THOUSANDS of cyclists rode along Sydney Rd tonight in memory of the Italian national who was killed in a dooring incident last week.

Bike ride for Alberto down Sydney Rd past the site of the accident. Picture: Tim Carrafa

THOUSANDS of cyclists rode along Sydney Rd tonight in memory of the Italian national who was killed in a dooring incident last week.

Cyclists rang their bells in a haunting and emotional tribute as they rode past the spot Alberto Paulon, 25, was tragically killed as he rode to work with his fiance Cristina Canedda last Friday.

Ms Canedda and Mr Paulon’s family, who flew in from Italy, led a sea of cyclists dressed in green to pay tribute to the man they affectionately remembered as Albi.

Alberto Paulon’s fiance Cristina Canedda Picture: Tim Carrafa

Ms Canedda said she was lost for words to explain the support she had received from Melbourne’s cycling community.

“(Alberto) would have been so proud, so happy to see this,” she told the Herald Sun.

She said she would remember him as “the funniest man I ever met” who always made her laugh.

“We were just realising our dreams,” Ms Canedda said.

“We were so happy to stay here in Melbourne. I will try my best to stay here and keep going.”

Memorial organiser Edward Hore, from Australian Cycle Alliance, said he was overwhelmed by the manner in which cyclists had united to honour Mr Paulon’s memory and campaign for better road safety laws for riders, especially on Sydney Rd.

“Cristina was incredibly happy and thankful that everyone was here supporting her,” Mr Hore said. “But it would be better if we weren’t here.”

Bike ride for Alberto down Sydney Rd past the site of the accident. Picture: Tim Carrafa

He said only 80-100 cyclists were expected to join the ride but more than 2000 took part on the route from Parkville to Moreland station.

Mr Paulon was killed last Friday when a parked motorist threw open her car door in front of him, knocking him from his bike and into the path of a truck.

He had been cycling to work with his fiance at Lygon St restaurant Donnini’s.

The bike was a Valentine’s Day gift from Ms Canedda.

Community leaders, police and cyclists met earlier this week to make changes to improve safety for Sydney Rd users.

Brunswick state Labor MP Jane Garrett said the road would become a permanent 40km/h zone, with some parking spots removed and speed humps installed.