In June 1980, 22-year old bicycle messenger Mary Gaffney was
killed by a truck in Georgetown. The driver of the truck was given
fines for minor traffic violations, and not cited for criminal
negligence. The death had a strong effect among some WABA members.
One such member was Carl Modig, who felt that WABA should do something
to prevent this kind of accident from
happening in the future. WABA created a special investigative
Task Force, which faulted the District court's decision. A year
after the accident, the Board voted to establish the Mary Gaffney
Memorial Fund which would solicit donations to be used to promote
helmet use.
From the WABA