Grieving friends and colleagues have been paying tribute to Per Undheim, the cyclist killed in an early morning hit-and-run in Bodden Town on Easter Monday.
The 39-year-old father-of-two was struck while out on a morning bike ride, and friends say they hope that this tragedy will finally prompt action to make Cayman’s roads safer.
Undheim, who was originally from Norway, studied physiotherapy in the UK and worked in the National Health Service for several years before moving to Cayman in 2020 with his Caymanian wife Janelle to raise their family. The couple lived in Savannah and have two young daughters, ages 5 years and 9 months.
Lindsay Bridgeman, owner of Cayman Physiotherapy where both Per and Janelle worked, told the Compass that she and her colleagues were “shocked and devastated” by the news.
“It’s a terrible loss to his family, and to all his friends and colleagues,” she said. “Per was such a family man, a great dad and an excellent physio. He loved being active, he was a keen cyclist and triathlete, and just the other week had run the Deputy Governor’s 5K with his family. We’re just all in shock here, it’s a very close-knit team, and to have this happen to Per and Janelle, it’s a tragedy.”
Ride turned to tragedy
Undheim was out on a regular training ride early on Monday morning when he and his colleague and training partner Andy Hall were struck by a car on Bodden Town Road which was travelling in the same direction. Following the crash, the driver, a 33-year old man from Bodden Town, drove off before crashing again, this time into a parked car and a concrete wall. He then fled on foot.
Several hours later he was taken to hospital in a private car with injuries which appeared to be from the collision. He was subsequently arrested by the police on suspicion of manslaughter, causing death by dangerous driving and other traffic offences. He is still in hospital under police custody.
In a statement, Cayman Cycling yesterday said, “We are devastated and our hearts heavy with the tragic loss of Mr. Undheim, and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Janelle, his children, and all his family members during this incredibly difficult time. We are deeply saddened by this loss, and there are no words to adequately express the magnitude of our grief.”
They also sent heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery to his cycling partner Hall, adding, “You are all in our thoughts and prayers as we come together to mourn the loss of a member of our cycling community. May we find solace in the cherished memories shared with Mr Undheim, and we pray his family and friends find strength in each other during this time of mourning.”
Frequent collisions
Cayman Cycling vice president Wayne Kirkconnell told the Compass that injuries to cyclists was sadly too frequent an occurrence.
“Drivers often have no patience, they don’t wait until it’s safe to overtake and they pass far too close to us when they do,” he said. “At least once a week there are instances when we are nearly run off the road.”
A keen cyclist and seventh-generation Caymanian, Kirkconnell said that there was a hostility towards cyclists from motorists.
“Cyclists aren’t seen as valuable as drivers,” he said. “We are being dehumanised but we are people too, we have families too, and we do have as much right to be on the roads as drivers.”
He said that Cayman Cycling is planning a memorial ride and fundraiser in honour of Undheim and to support his family.
More patience needed
Aaron Roye from Prospect, who has been cycling on Cayman’s roads since he was a teenager, says that people are starting to question whether or not it was worth the risk.
“My mom is worried whenever I go out on my bike,” he said. “We’re not invincible, we’re on a bike not in a car, and a lot of these accidents could be avoided if people just had a little patience and understanding.”
He added, “A cyclist – a father, a husband – went out for a ride with his friend, doing what he loved. He never made it home. This is absolutely devastating. How many more accidents and fatalities will it take before the issues surrounding cycling safety are seriously addressed?”
Police say that the matter is still under investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Bodden Town Police Station on 947-2220.