This Monday evening, at 7 p.m., takes place in front of the Gare du Nord, a rally in tribute to Sultan Zadran. Sultan Zadran was a bicycle courier for the Uber Eats platform. He died last weekend after being run over by a busat the corner between boulevard du roi Albert II and place Solvay in Schaerbeek.
“We come together to honor the memory of our delivery colleague Sultan who died while doing his job, left too soon for his name not to be forgotten.“, indicate the organizers of the vigil, Le Collectif des couriers.
This is not the only mobilization action in tribute to the victim, a 38-year-old Afghan, a cricketer when he was not working. His club Brussels Warrior Cricket Club has decided to launch a collection to support his pregnant wife and their five children, who still live in Afghanistan. This Monday morning, the amount of the collection has already reached 3900 euros.
In any case, the causes of the accident which cost the life of Sultan Zadran are currently the subject of an investigation. The Brussels public prosecutor’s office has opened a file and has also appointed an automotive expert who will have to look into both the car and Sultan’s bike, both seized.
No to separate bike lanes
At this stage, several elements call out… The first is linked to the vehicle which ran over the delivery man. If a lot of cars today have four mirrors, allowing them to detect the presence of a pedestrian or a cyclist in the blind spot, the vehicle involved in the death of Sultan Zadran, had only two . Flixbus, the company that manages the bus recognizes it this weekend with our colleagues from Bruzz. Two mirrors and not four because it is not a legal obligation.
“Our thoughts and condolences go out to the victim and his family and friends.“, indicates in any case a spokesperson for the company. “We will do everything to help them as much as possible and support them in these difficult times.“Flixbus adds to remain in close contact with the authorities to clarify the circumstances of the accident.
Another element, this time raised by cycling groups on social networks: the condition of the Boulevard Albert II cycle path. There RTBF told you about it in 2016 : the Region presented a renovation project for Boulevard Albert II with the creation of a separate and secure cycle path. A request for a permit followed by a consultation committee at the end of which the municipality of Schaerbeek expressed its refusal of the site. Reason: there is more urgency elsewhere in the town, on other major regional roads (namely the redevelopment of Boulevard Lambermont) and the current cycle path does not seem that dangerous. The news may have just proved this argument wrong. Since then, the boulevard renovation project seems to have stalled.