NEW YORK, NY June 16, 2005 —A coalition of bicyclists took to the streets this morning in rememberance of almost 200 riders who have died on city streets in the last ten years.

The vigil began in Brooklyn, where a woman was killed last week, and ended at City Hall, where bikers demanded a multi-agency task force to prevent future deaths and injuries.

Coalition members say they want to make it clear that bicycling is not in itself a dangerous mode of transportation.

The group wants City Hall to take a more in depth look at the number of cycling fatalities and to better educate the public on biking rights and driver responsabilities.

It also offered recommendations for new road rules including lower speed limits for cars, prioritizing bike routes for frequent maintenance and requiring large trucks to have side guards.