Clare Roberts, a 31-year-old Hoboken resident, died two weeks ago from injuries after her 21-speed mountain bike was struck by a Chevrolet Tahoe SUV near the corner of Grand and Newark streets. The accident occurred at 5:49 a.m. on June 14.
The driver of the car was making a right turn from Grand Street onto Newark Street and did not see the bike, according to officials from the Hudson County Prosecutor’s office. As he pulled out into traffic, the two collided, and Roberts was thrown to the ground.
She was rushed to St. Mary Hospital, where she died the following day. Roberts was not wearing a helmet, according to officials.
The name of the driver has not been released, and an investigation into the accident is underway, according to officials.
In the days following the accident, Greg Madigan, Clare’s husband, posted a flowery wreath and picture of his wife on a telephone pole near the scene of the accident.
“My darling Clare, March 6, 1973 – June 15, 2004: You are my world, my life, my wife, taken from me before our time had begun,” read the heartfelt note. “I will love you forever and beyond.”
Beneath the picture, at the base of the pole, lays a poignant shrine of dozens of flowers from friends and neighbors.
Madigan said Thursday that, in addition to being a memorial to his wife, he hopes that the flowers and wreath will be a reminder to drivers to slow down and be more alert when they drive.
“Drivers need to be aware that Hoboken is a city where people walk and ride their bicycles,” said Madigan. “Too often, cars are in too much of a rush and play a dangerous game of chicken with pedestrians. Maybe some drivers will see the wreath and it will remind them to slow down, stop at stop signs, and look both ways before pulling away.”
Roberts and Madigan moved to Hoboken around three years ago from England.
Roberts was a scientist who worked for Berlex Pharmaceuticals in Wayne in an oncology lab.
“She believed that she could make a difference,” said Madigan Thursday. “She was a caring and giving person who was dedicated to everything. She was just wonderful.”
This accident has once again continued the discussion about pedestrian and bicycle safety on the city’s streets. Hoboken, with its 38,000 residents and difficult parking situation, is a place where people walk and bike. But Hoboken is also a mile-square city between two tunnels into New York.
The problem is exacerbated by narrow streets lined with parallel-parked cars that often block the visibility at crosswalks.
“I extend my deepest sympathy to Clare’s family. This is a terrible tragedy,” said Mayor David Roberts (not related) on Thursday. “As Hoboken’s mayor I’m going to step up our efforts to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety on our city’s streets.”
In the past three years, Roberts has put up traffic calming devices, such speed humps, and has repainted many crosswalks and erected additional signage.
He added that the city had begun ticketing cars that are within 25 feet of crosswalks, and is investigating putting additional stop signs on roads that are notorious for speeding cars. “This administration is doing everything we can to prioritize pedestrian safety,” said Roberts.
The funeral for Clare Roberts was Monday in Hoboken. She is survived by Madigan and by her parents, Kathleen and Derrick Roberts, and two sisters, Sarah and Amanda.