25 February 2009

It is with great shock that we heard of the tragic death of Bernadine Kruger, a learner of Hoërskool Garsfontein.

We want to express our sympathy with Bernadine’s family. Our prayers are for grace and the necessary strength to support each other after this terrible loss. Because we have had a lot of enquiries from the biking community, we approached Bernadine’s father, Mr Koos Kruger, for permission to attend the funeral service. We are thankful that the family will allow us to support them. 

Think Bike is a safety awareness campaign and our concern is over the fact that yet another motorcyclist has died in an accident. We are not expressing any opinion on the circumstances that led to the accident.

We offered the services of our Marshals, who will lead the funeral procession from the Dutch Reformed Church Moreletta Park. All motorcyclists are welcome to show their respect to Bernadine. The Think Bike Marshals will control the traffic to ensure that the procession will reach the cemetery without interruption.
Other motorcyclists who want to join the procession will receive directions from the Marshals prior to departure.

Think Bike wants to make is clear that our, and other motorcyclists’, attendance of the funeral service is not a protest action. Our attendance is not an attempt to score political points. We will attend the service to pay our last respects and express our sympathy with the unnecessary death of a young motorcyclist. Protest action may follow later, but not now. Our first concern is the grief of the Kruger family.

We want to urge other motorcyclists who will be joining us to attend the service in this spirit. Let us support the Kruger family and contribute to the dignity of the occasion.

Issued by Réhann Coetzee, media officer, Tel 084 587 3770