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‘Everybody bikes differently.’ RIP SJ

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A post shared by Ⓕⓡⓘⓔⓝⓓⓢ ⓞⓝ ⓑⓘⓚⓔⓢ (@friends.on.bikes)


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UPDATE: A GoFundMe has been started to help Izzy through recovery, and the WTF Bikexplorers have started a scholarship fund in SJ’s honor to help more people attend their summit.

SJ Brooks was the Founder of the Seattle chapter of Friends on Bikes, a group focused on creating space for women/trans/femme/non-binary people of color to enjoy biking together. Brooks was tragically killed over the weekend in an internationally publicized tragedy.

SJ’s death is a huge loss to our city. At 32 years old, they had so much more to do in this world. Our deepest condolences to their loved ones. And our best wishes go to Izzy, who is recovering. Izzy served a term on Seattle’s volunteer Bicycle Advisory Board a few years ago, helping to guide the city’s bicycle planning.

“Everybody bikes differently,” SJ told Seattle Bike Blog in an October interview about the launch of Friends on Bikes. Looking back through my notes from that interview, that quote really stands out to me as a perfect three-word summation of what bicycle culture should be all about. SJ worked in the bicycle industry on both coasts, from Montreal to Boston to Seattle, and that’s the insight they were hoping to bring to our city through Friends on Bikes.

SJ was scheduled to speak about Friends on Bikes at the WTF Bikexplorers summit in Montana later this summer. The Portland chapter of Friends on Bikes wrote the following about the late leader of their Seattle chapter:

Deeply heartbroken for the loss of SJ Brooks. No words can describe how much they will be missed in FOB, Seattle and the community at large. They were a positive light who worked tirelessly to create change. We’ve suffered a great loss. Please keep their family and loved ones in your thoughts. As well for Izzy who is still recovering. Keep your loved ones close, life is precious.

While media outlets are fascinated by the rare circumstances of Brooks’ tragic death, Seattle needs space to talk about SJ’s life. If you have any stories or remembrances you want to share, either leave them in the comments below or email them to me at [email protected] and I will add them to this post.

UPDATES:

From Jackie:

I was blessed to meet SJ in Omaha Ne while they were attending Creighton as an undergrad. We developed a relationship quickly, and spent much time together before they graduated and our life paths moved in different geographic directions. SJ exuded light, loving energy and was a tremendous blessing that made an enormous impact on my life. This transition is difficult and heart breaking, as SJ had so many more gifts to offer this Earth. Sending love and healing Energy to SJs family, friends, and all those that have been blessed with the opportunity to know SJ. May the work SJ initiated continue to spread, like the loving energy they always offered.  ❤❤❤💔💔 Rest In Power Scooter!

Eternal Love, Jackie

The Boston Globe reports on the reaction there to the news of SJ’s death:

“S.J. was an avid cyclist and a strong supporter of Bikes Not Bombs who participated in our vocational educational program, rode in our annual Bike-A-Thon for many years, and served on our Board of Directors from 2012 to 2016, before moving to Seattle,’’ the group noted in its posting. “We truly valued S.J.’s deep commitment to inclusion at Bikes Not Bombs and the cycling community. Our hearts go out to S.J.’s family and friends.”

Brooks also worked for the Boston Center for the Arts in Boston’s South End, the organization said in a statement.

“We were shocked and saddened to hear about the death of S. J. Brooks,’’ according to a statement posted to the organization’s Facebook page. “S. J. was a valued member of the BCA staff when they worked here in 2012 as a member of our Visual Arts team.”

Brooks was described by the BCA as a “kind-hearted, generous, and wonderfully creative person with a deep commitment to their work in the community. We extend our sincerest condolences to S.J.’s family and friends during this horrible time.”

The CBC reports from Montreal on the reaction there:

“They would come to the shop, ask small questions,” [Marissa Plamondon-Lu, the owner of the Montreal bicycle shop Bikurious] told CBC News. “They were slowly getting into bikes, partly in Boston and partly here.”

Brooks became an avid cyclist and a bicycle mechanic, Plamondon-Lu said, finding Bikurious to be a safe space.

“I could really see it in their eyes, how special the space was for them.”

Plamondon-Lu, who has owned her shop for 10 years, said she actively tried to hire women and open up the “intimidating” and “super white” world of bikes to a more diverse community.

“I loved their approach to the whole thing — just encouraging more queer, P.O.C. women to feel empowered by bike mechanicking,” Plamondon-Lu said.


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7 responses to “‘Everybody bikes differently.’ RIP SJ”

  1. kommish

    SJ helped me out with just a small purchase at G&O awhile ago, but I remember their patience, their kindness, and their smile. The world feels so big and so small at the same time right now. All my love to their friends and family, and to Izzy as they recover.

  2. Lynne

    I only met SJ once, at a “Friends on Bikes” brunch. I was unable to attend the S24O that evening. This is terrible and I just don’t know what else to say.

  3. Melinda Minch

    SJ was such a cool, welcoming person, such a pleasure to talk to and they had a smile that lit up a room. I only got to talk to them a few times, but they were just such a warm, positive person who was doing what they could to be a bright spot in this world.

    May their memory be a blessing.

  4. Cate

    I only met SJ once, briefly. They fixed a minor problem on my bike. But more, they made me feel like a part of the Seattle biking community and not just an old lady on an e-bike. My deepest sympathies to all who loved them.

  5. Marley

    SJ was scheduled to speak at the WTF Bikesplorer Summit this summer in Whitefish, Montana. There is now a scholarship in their name to help folks get out there. https://www.gofundme.com/wtf-bikexplorers-scholarships?u=18667356

    Also, there’s a fundraiser for Isaac: https://www.gofundme.com/helping-isaac-sederbaum

  6. […] Note of acknowledgement: The late SJ Brooks, founder of Friends on Bikes Seattle chapter, participated in the visioning of Womxn’s Bike Month events. We want to acknowledge their leadership and contributions to making biking more inclusive to women, … […]

  7. […] Remembering bike advocate SJ Brooks […]

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