WEARING yellow ribbons as a tribute to Ardeth Wood and her family, some 200 Ottawa residents gathered at the Canada Aviation Museum yesterday in an effort to take back the trails.
"I live in Orleans and I used to cycle to work on the same path Ardeth cycled for three years," said co-organizer Lisa Campbell.
"I haven't done it since this happened and I want to start cycling again soon."
Echoing the same concerns many Ottawa women have expressed ever since the 27-year-old PhD student's decomposing body was discovered in Green's Creek last Monday, just days after she went missing during an afternoon bike ride, Campbell, like many, felt compelled to do something about it.
"It's a tribute to Ardeth but it's also to try and get the paths back and do what she tried to do and that's cycle on a sunny day," she said. "These paths are part of what makes Ottawa livable. If we don't use them because of fear or a lack of safety, we've lost a treasured resource."
With Ardeth's picture resting on a table surrounded by flowers from the many strangers who gathered in her honour, the group crowded under a tent just outside the museum for a moment of silence before hopping aboard their bicycles and double-knotting their sneakers for a half-hour ride, walk or run along the Rockcliffe Pkwy.
Led by several Ottawa police officers and two bagpipers, the sombre parade meandered westbound along the trail so as not to interrupt the police investigation.
The tribute culminated with a short lesson from Ottawa police Const. Mark Wainwright on trail safety.
Members of Pathway Patrol, a volunteer organization currently operating in the Britannia, Hintonburg and Greenboro areas, were also on hand to answer questions and offer advice.
"Be smart, look out for things and don't take chances," said Barbara Mirgie, noting Pathway Patrol is always looking for volunteers and opportunities to expand. "I think having a presence and knowing we're out there, it will help."
Inspired by Wood's tragic death, Orleans resident and avid cyclist Barry Halliday said he's looking into developing a pathway patrol program in the city's east end and has already spoken with NCC and Ottawa police officials about it.
"It just made me really upset," he said, noting his sister is now too scared to use the pathways. "I think this is something I can do about it so I will."
Today, the NCC is expected to announce new safety measures for the pathway.
Wood's funeral is to be held today at 10:30 a.m. at the Notre Dame Cathedral on Sussex Dr.