Loved ones honor cyclist killed in St. Claude Avenue hit-and-run with Ghost Bike

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — St. Claude Avenue has become an all-too-familiar street for traffic fatalities.

In two weeks, two bicyclists were hit and killed on St. Claude within blocks of each other. One of the victims was Michael Milam, who had just moved to New Orleans.

“I didn’t know Michael, but, you know, he was a brother. He was a brother on the road to me,” said Clark Thompson with New Orleans Ghost Bikes.

Family and friends gathered along St. Claude Avenue and Alvar Street on Saturday morning to install a ghost bike in honor of him in the spot where he was struck.

“Unfortunately, until the city makes it or the city and the state make changes on this roadway, the percentages are that we’re going to see more ghost bikes until they make a change,” said Thompson.

With St. Claude Avenue considered a state highway, changes would have to come from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. Thompson says that until the street is repaved for cyclists, there will continue to be constant incidents.

“It’s much too narrow. It puts you right there in the door zone where somebody opens a door. Cut three feet on each side of the neutral ground and make this a protected bike lane, and save lives,” said Thompson.

Milam’s brother, Jeffry Faircloth says what hurts the most, is that the suspect, who police have identified as 19-year-old Thomas Riggio, didn’t stop to check on Milam.

“From what we understand, he didn’t even call the police. Just left. What kind of neighbor is that,” said Faircloth.

Loved ones wrote messages remembering Milam, honoring him and showing their support.

“I want to say that all of the community and everybody who has honored my brother and what we’re doing today with this ghost bike, y’all are being good neighbors,” said Faircloth.

Although Milam’s time in the crescent city was short, he had already made everlasting frendships.

“Michael was a really sweet man. I got to see him the Thursday before, and we were catching up. He told me that his brand of personality is very much at home here. And he feels like he’s at home,” said Milam’s friend Jonathan Reazin.

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