From Tragedy to Advocacy: Mary Beth Kelly
Mary Beth Kelly's story is as inspirational as they come.
In June 2006, she and her husband Dr. Carl Henry Nacht were bicycling home from dinner on the Hudson River Greenway in Chelsea when an NYPD tow truck turned sharply into the bike lane at 38th Street and 12th Avenue. Despite signs telling drivers to yield to pedestrians and cyclists, the tow truck did not slow down as it headed toward a riverfront tow pound. The truck struck Carl, injuring him severely. He died four days later.
Bicycling was an integral part of Carl and Mary Beth's lives. Their first date was done on bikes and they often took their bikes on vacation. A physician at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, Carl regularly used his bike to commute to the work and to make in-home visits to sick patients.
Rather than forsaking cycling after Carl's death, Mary Beth and her children Zoe and Asher got right back on their bicycles. Perhaps most important, Mary Beth has emerged as an outspoken and eloquent advocate for New York City cyclists. She now serves on the advisory council for Transportation Alternatives, where she is working to create and pass comprehensive complete streets legislation in honor of her husband.
Thanks, Mary Beth Kelly, for your advocacy, and your long-time and continued commitments to safer streets.
[Out of Tragedy comes Hope for Tomorrow
{An inspirational story from Streetfilms in New York City}
Mary Beth Kelly’s story is as inspirational as they come.
In June 2006, she and her husband Dr. Carl Henry Nacht, a physician who regularly used his bike to visit...]
http://npgreenway.blogspot.com/2008/02/out-of-tragedy-comes-hope-for-tomorrow.html#links
Wow, Mary Beth, THANKS!!!
We need many champions like Mary Beth; change will happen when we stop just complaining and accompany it with DOING: calling the councillors, writing letters to the papers, participating.
Under difficult circumstances, Mary Beth is showing us how. One step at a time. Start today.
We cannot continue seeing wonderful human beigns like Dr. Carl Henry Nacht killed by cars and people seem to accept it as a fact of city life. It is not; this can change. Yes we can... create Healthier and Happier communities.
Mary Beth Kelly is a remarkable human being. Her strength and persistence are endless. When I think of her, a smile immediately appears on my face...a true inspiration to me.
A remarkably beautiful person- Mary Beth deserves much recognition for her activism and attitude... for her achievements in changing policy/awareness specific to NYC, to a role model spurring change for those both in grief, or seemingly afar from the topic. Very, very few make waves in spite of such tragedy as she has demonstrated....
With his devotion to his patients and his exhuberance for all that NYC had to offer, Henry exemplified this city at its best. It is tragic that the city he so loved caused, as a result of its misplaced priorities, his unnecessary death. His wife, not surprisingly, is also a hero. Thanks, Mary Beth.
Mary Beth is an amazingly strong woman. Though she suffered a tremendous personal loss due to a bicycling accident, rather than avoid bcycling (as could be expected) she not only continues to ride but is an outspken advocate for this most important form of transportation. Amazing...
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Mary Beth,
Thank you for your courage, strength and dedication. You are a true champion and for not giving up.
I live in The Bronx, I have been cycling for many year and often ride to work in fear. I thought that being HIV+ was the most scary thing in my life but when I ride to work I am more afraid of getting hit by a vehicle who disregards the cyclist then my life threatening illness. I ride for health and safety.
You are a hero!
)
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Mary Beth Kelly is a hero for transforming the tragedy of Henry Nacht's death into a life affirming vision that should be required viewing for city planners everywhere. Keep it up, M.B!
I was in NYC July 06 and spent a Sunday afternoon riding around the city (including Central Park). One of the sites I passed was the site of Dr Nacht's death - although at the time there was just a 'ghost' cycle marking it.
Thankyou for making the film. It's an honour to find out who died at that spot, and Mary-Beth is an inspiration to us all. Cycle on in peace.
Christopher,
Tamaki Auckland
Aotearoa New Zealand
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marybeth you are a truely inspirational being,You make us all want to get on our bikes & like you say, this is nyc !!we can lead.With you in front of this cause we can & we will.Blessed are we 2 have as our ''SPOKE'person oxoxoxox
A film. Emotional, uplifting, sad and beautiful like some films. The bicycle and its dead heroes squeezed for our tears. With music. Not quite my cup of tea. And really, not furthering the case of the bicycle either. As film. Because the bicycle is not just another tear-jerking romantic subject. Mine at least is not...
I went to high school and college with Carl Henry Nacht. The last time I saw him was when I ran into him on West End Avenue one day, many years ago. That's when I learned he was a doctor. I learned about his death when I read about it in AM New York on my way to work one morning. I was shocked and saddened. I was glad to learn, however, that hew had such a beautiful family and lived what seems to be a wonderful life. Such a sad waste.
Rest in Peace Carl.