Hundreds of bikers from across Eastern Canada rolled into Moncton on Monday to share one more ride, and remember a fellow biker who loved the open road.
Erin Robertson's family has been left reeling after she was killed in a collision on her motorbike last week.
“She often said, ‘Mom, if I die on my bike, I'll die a happy girl,’” said Robertson’s mother, Judy Robertson.
The crash happened just days after Robertson wrapped up one of many Maritime road trips.
“On the day she passed, we went to Young's Cove, Cole's Island,” said Robertson’s husband, Tony LeBlanc. “It was a great memory and we had a great day. It was a fantastic day. We were happy, she was so happy.”
Robertson had participated in several funeral bike rallies in the past, but this time, it was being held for her.
“She wanted to do something, and something should be done to make people aware they are on the road, and cars have to share the road with them,” said Judy Robertson. “She would have loved to have been here today to go on the run.”
The close-knit biking community extended beyond Erin's circle of friends, drawing more than 300 riders to Moncton to drive in her honour.
But they did so with a message.
“It's always back to the safety aspect of it,” said bike Amos Ward. “That's what we're really here for. To show the public the safety involved, motorcycles are vulnerable. You don't have a lot of protection on them.”
“I have it happen every day,” said friend Richard Wilson. “This past weekend, I had a camper pull in while I was taking a turn into Riverview, and I got pushed within a foot of the curb.”
Those attending say Erin's memory will serve as a sober reminder of the risks thousands face every day when they get on their bikes.
“Just make sure you have a second look,” said Wilson. “Bikes can be invisible, almost, because we're a third or a fourth of the size of a different vehicle.”
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Cami Kepke.
