May 14, 2007

MADD’s website tracks Memories in Motion Tour
Cape Breton man is cycling across Canada in honour of his friend, a victim of impaired driving

Last week Ian Chiasson began his biking odyssey across Canada in memory of his best friend, Michael George MacLean.  On May 14, 2004, Michael and Angela Marie Smits were killed by an impaired driver in the little community of St. Peter’s (near Port Hawksbury) Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

Today, three years to the day of that tragedy, Ian Chiasson is pumping his way through British Columbia’s interior not only to honour the memory of his friend, but to honour the memories of all those who have been needlessly killed as a result of impaired driving.  

Mr. Chiasson and his Memories in Motion, supported by MADD Cape Breton Chapter, will raise public awareness to the efforts of MADD Canada’s fight against the crime of impaired driving.  Many of the over 100 local MADD Chapters and Community Leaders across the country will be hosting public events as the Memories in Motion Tour bikes into their community.

The Memories in Motion Tour started in Victoria B.C. last week with the local MADD Chapter hosting a send-off party for the bicyclist. Ian Chiasson is expected to complete his cross-country trek in mid-August, in his home community of Sydney, Nova Scotia. Along the way, he will bike through nine provinces and camp along side the Trans-Canada Highway.

The tour is being tracked by MADD Cape Breton Chapter and the public can follow Ian’s progress by checking the Tour webpage at www.madd.ca.

The public can also send Mr. Chaisson e-mails of encouragement at ianchiasson123@hotmail.com

Reflections of a best friend

Ian Chiasson wants the public to know of Michael and Angela and the wonderful future ahead of them. The two had found their soul mates in each other, Michael had just graduated as a paramedic and Angela had been accepted into nursing school. They were on their way home to Sydney to celebrate his graduation, beginning a new career and Angela’s father’s birthday. Their tragic sudden deaths impacted their families, friends and the entire community.

Since the spring of 2006, Ian Chiasson has been preparing to cycle across Canada on a memorial tour as a tribute to his friend and all victims of impaired driving.

For more information, visit www.madd.ca or call:

MADD Cape Breton Chapter
(902) 564-6790

Also see:

Memories in Motion Tour