Tributes paid to WLB member company representative David Eales

Huge numbers of tributes have followed the news of the sudden death of West London’s well known cycling champion, David Eales. David has been a passionate advocate for cycling and at the forefront of many local initiatives, including the Ealing Cycling Campaign and WLB member company London Bike Hub.

In 2011 David was voted Ealing’s ‘Local Hero’ on Ealing Today – an award which he humbly accepted on behalf of all the volunteers he worked alongside.

His daughter, Joanna, made the sad announcement on Facebook on Tuesday 24 August:

”To our wonderful Dad, I really hope you know how truly loved you were. Rest in peace and be assured you will live on in all of our memories forever. Missing you with all our hearts xxxx”

David got into cycling later in life on the advice of his doctor in a bid to help his back pain, and said it changed his life. Cycling became a real passion and he used it to help many men, women and children onto two wheels, building novice’s confidence with his gentle manner.

Ealing’s Council Leader Julian Bell, himself a keen cyclist said to Ealing Today:

“I am deeply shocked and saddened by this terrible news. I was with David only a matter of weeks ago sharing a drink in the Wheatsheaf talking about cycling, Brexit and our families and then taking a photo with him outside the Town Hall with his cargo bikes. If ever someone was irreplaceable it is David. He gave so much to the community and his commitment to cycling was unmatched. I am so sorry to know he is no longer with us. My deepest and sincere condolences to all the Eales family and his many friends. Rest in peace my friend.”

Andrew Dakers, Chief Executive of West London Business said:

“In recent months David had been contributing to the work of WLB’s West London Transport & Infrastructure Commission. Just a few weeks ago his steady determination to bring cycle logistics alive in West London shone through as he presented his thinking to a panel convened by London Sustainability Exchange in Brentford. An occasional visitor to Hounslow Green Drinks, and operator of the Brentford Works pop-up in 2014/15, his commitment to the community and friendship will be hugely missed.”

Friends of David will meet at The Fox pub (Green Lane, W7 2PJ) on Thursday 1st September 2016 from 5.30pm onwards to share memories and celebrate his life.

Source: Blogger

London Bike Hub