Bike Community Mourns Loss of Beloved Cyclist

ROSWELL, GA -- A well-known and loved local cyclist has died and left the bike community mourning. Emil Joseph Walcek, 70 of Roswell, passed away on March 6 from injuries sustained in a cycling collision with a car.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 16 at Northside Chapel in Roswell, 12050 Crabapple Road. In lieu of flowers, his family is asking for donations in his honor to the Brain Trauma Foundation.

A GoFundMehas been set up for Walcek, and says, "Emil was a passionate cyclist and advocate for improving cycling safety and infrastructure for everyone."

The fundraiser said Walcek was an officer/board member of Bike Alpharetta, a former board member of the Roswell-Alpharetta Mountain Bike OrganizationRoswell-Alpharetta Mountain Bike Organization (RAMBO), long-time volunteer for the Bikes For Kids Alpharetta holiday program, the and creative genius behind maps and signs for Big Creek Trails and Alpharetta Bike Routes. Many people knew him as the bicycle commuter in Crabapple.

"Emil did his best to beat the odds after the crash in October 2018," the fundraiser states. "He was very fit and doctors thought he was 50 (he had just celebrated his 70th birthday). We will miss him so much! We want to help the family in this time of grief by crowdfunding for funeral and memorial expenses. Any additional funds will help pay for medical bills that have mounted in past four months. All donations will be provided directly to the Walcek Family."

To view the fundraiser, visit the site on GoFundMe.

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