A candlelight vigil was held in honour of local cyclist and campaigner Mike Gough last weekend. 

The vigil was held on June 29 at the Sebastopol Cannon on George Street in Huntingdon and 10pm. 

It offered residents the chance to pay their respects to Mike and stand together in memory of all victims of road crashes in Cambridgeshire and their families.

Mike was the owner of Roadies Cycles in Hartford, Huntingdonshire, and was much-loved by the community. 


Mike was much-loved by the community.Mike was much-loved by the community. (Image: Hazel Gough)

At the vigil, speeches and poetry were read out by Hazel, Mike’s wife, his daughter Kim, and supporters of Hunts Walking & Cycling group, of which Mike was a founding member.

A memorial, otherwise referred to as a ghost bike, was also unveiled.

Also referred to as a ghost cycle, the memorial is intended as a reminder to all road users, motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, to share the road.

He was a passionate advocate for more cycle infrastructure and for safer streets for all road users.

Last month, Mike's family spoke to The Hunts Post about their wish for urgent action to improve road safety in the district following his death.
 

A memorial, otherwise referred to as a ghost bike, was unveiled at the vigil. A memorial, otherwise referred to as a ghost bike, was unveiled at the vigil. (Image: John Morris)

Hazel Gough, Mike's widow, said: "This was a fitting tribute to Mike. Thank you to everyone who has helped create this ghost bike. It is beautiful.

"Thank you to everyone who attended the tribute to him. Although it's dedicated to Mike Gough let it be a tribute to all the road users who have been tragically killed on the roads of Huntingdonshire.

"Coexistence is what we should be about. Not driving a wedge between the cyclist, pedestrian and motorist. In an instant, lives of our loved ones can be taken from us. Live lives to the full. Treasure everything you hold dear."

She added: "Thank you, once again, to everyone for the outpouring of love and support myself and the family have received since Mike's passing. He has left a hole in everyone's life”.

At 10.30pm, speeches and poetry were Mike’s wife Hazel and supporters of Hunts Walking & Cycling group.At 10.30pm, speeches and poetry were Mike’s wife Hazel and supporters of Hunts Walking & Cycling group. (Image: John Morris)

Mike, 65, from Rodney Road in Huntingdon, was killed when his bicycle was struck by a van on George Street on March 16.

The driver was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and released on police bail.