BOULDER, Colo. — The Ride for Magnus honoring 17-year-old Magnus White, a cyclist who was killed in a crash last year, took place in Boulder Sunday morning.
"It was awesome," said Quentin Jones, a biker. "I enjoyed it. Out here to raise awareness for safety for cyclists and the obvious reasons why we’re here, for Magnus."
The entire bike ride was about 13.5 miles long. The ride passed by the place where Magnus was hit and killed last summer.
"It was an emotional sight to see," Jones shared. "Some people stopped, but it kept me pedaling. A reminder of why I’m out here."
Organizers said bicyclists from all 50 states and 20 countries registered for the ride. Magnus' mom, Jill White, was moved by the thousands that came to honor her son.
"Writing the word 'Germany' on an envelope really meant a lot," Jill said. "I see hope. Hope that from our collective grief, we can forge a path to change."
Magnus' dad, Michael White, said seeing how communities have rallied around his son has been overwhelming.
"His story has touched something deep in all of us," Michael said. "We have to reframe how we talk about the crime committed against our son and every other victim of road violence."
The Whites' were backed by state leaders as they addressed the sea of bikers. Gov. Jared Polis, Colorado U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse and Shailen Bhatt with the Federal Highway Administration all shared words on behalf of all the losses people have endured due to reckless and careless driving.
"You become hyperaware after something like this of all the cyclists, motorcyclists [and] pedestrians who have been killed and you just realize it can’t be this acceptable," Michael said. "Any time you go out to the store [or] go for a quick, easy bike ride, you could die at the hands of a driver."
Days without their son haven't gotten easier for the Whites, but they know every step they take, there's a village behind them.
"I wasn’t sure what to expect and I had a lot of emotions leading up to seeing the bike on my bike. But it was heartwarming to see and know that 4,000 people saw and passed by that bike," Jill said. "[They] saw him and recognized him."
The crash happened July 29, 2023, on southbound Highway 119 just past North 63rd Street.
The driver accused of hitting and killing White pleaded not guilty in Boulder County court in May.
White was training to compete in the upcoming World Championships in Scotland when he was killed.
Following the crash, White's parents founded The White Line, hoping to create safer cycling environments while also raising awareness about what happened to their son.