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The Outer Banks Community Foundation has announced a new local resource to support organizations and initiatives that address bicycle and pedestrian safety. The Emily Fredricks Memorial Fund for Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety has been established by Emily’s parents, Richard and Laura Fredricks of East Brunswick, NJ. Grants will be awarded annually from the fund to support local initiatives for making the Outer Banks safe for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Emily Fredricks was a creative, joyful young woman, a talented baker and artist, and the sunshine of her parents’ lives. She was working as head pastry chef at Le Cheri in downtown Philadelphia when her life was tragically cut short as she biked to work in late November 2017. Her bereaved parents established the Emily Fredricks Foundation the following year as a way to turn their grief into action and to find solutions so fewer families would have to endure similar tragic losses. The Fredrickses vacation regularly on the Outer Banks; indeed, the family spent time here just a few short weeks before Emily’s death. A chance meeting in Duck, and the Fredrickses’ awareness of the unique challenges faced by cyclists and pedestrians here led to the creation of this fund.

“We are thrilled that the Fredricks have created a fund dedicated to keeping walkers and bikers safe from harm on our roads, residents and visitors alike,” said Community Foundation president and CEO Chris Sawin. “This is such an important issue on the Outer Banks. We invite everyone who has an interest in the Fredricks’ generous initiative to reach out to donate or learn more.”

According to watchformeNC.org, a state advocacy initiative website, more than 3,000 pedestrians and 850 bicyclists are hit in North Carolina each year, making our state one of the least safe in the US for walking and bicycling. Nationally, the number of annual traffic deaths is skyrocketing – Vision Zero Network reports a 24% increase in the rate of roadway fatalities between 2019 and 2020.

“Our goal is to honor Emily’s memory in every way that we can. We miss her so,” said Laura Fredricks. “Emily’s life was taken from her tragically and traumatically, and her death was preventable. In January of 2022 there was finally a national recognition of the epidemic of traffic violence, and a pledge for zero traffic deaths. While we applaud this momentum, we know there will always be a need for improved infrastructure and education surrounding vulnerable road users. It is too late for our daughter; our advocacy work is for the living. We welcome the opportunity to give back to the community where our family has made so many wonderful memories.”

Like most other Community Foundation funds, the Emily Fredricks Memorial Fund for Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety is endowed, meaning the fund will be a perpetual source of support for charities addressing bicycle and pedestrian safety issues on the Outer Banks.

Anyone may contribute to the Emily Fredricks Memorial Fund for Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety by sending a check to the Community Foundation with the fund name in the memo line or by making a contribution online at obcf.org/donate-now and selecting the fund from the searchable funds list.

– Submitted by the Outer Banks Community Foundation

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