
San Rafael officials are under mounting pressure for changes at the intersection where a cycling coach was killed this summer.
Demonstrators assembled at City Hall on Monday to call for improvements at the corner of Manuel T. Freitas Parkway and Lea Drive in Terra Linda. The City Council, which held a meeting that night, listened to residents about their concerns for more than half an hour.
One was Sarah Winarske, the widow of Christopher Brignetti, 54. He was fatally struck by a vehicle at the site on June 28.
Winarske said her husband, who was a coach for Terra Linda High School’s mountain bicycle team, had 40 years of bicycling experience.
“And yet, he was killed at this intersection less than a quarter-mile from our house,” Winarske said. “That is beyond messed up. This needs to be addressed now.”
Zachary Rice, a member of the Terra Linda High School team, said, “All I have to say is that he’s experienced, and that alone should tell you guys that can be anyone.”
Four bicyclists were hit and injured at the same location between 2018 and 2023, according to the Marin County Bicycle Coalition. The circumstances were similar in each case: a bicyclist traveling downhill on Freitas Parkway was struck by a driver turning left to Lea Drive.
Alice Ostrovsky told the council about her son being struck there while he was riding his new bicycle two years ago.
“She plowed through my 6-foot, 3-inch son on his bike coming off the trail,” Ostrovsky said.
Ostrovsky said her son underwent surgeries and suffered great pain from his injuries.
“It’s unthinkable that this keeps happening at the exact same location,” she said.
Warren Wells of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, with megaphone, speaks to a crowd of more than 80 people as they demonstrate in front of City Hall in San Rafael, Calif. on Monday, July 22, 2025. People gathered to voice their support for safety changes on roads in San Rafael following the fatal accident of cyclist Christopher Brignetti Saturday. (Alan Dep/Marin Independent Journal)
Several speakers told the council that drivers have a blind spot when they turn to Lea Drive, and trees and shrubs in a nearby median block their view of oncoming traffic.
Proposed solutions include a stop sign, warning signage, street striping and the removal of median vegetation.
“Had we taken into consideration a more effective strategy for fixing intersections like this, it wouldn’t have been much of a conflict zone and Chris would likely be still biking and rolling with us today,” said Charlie Sedlock, communications director for the Marin County Bicycle Coalition.
Joe Mulligan, safety director of the Marin Cyclists riding club, presented a white “ghost bike” intended to memorialize Brignetti. The bicycle was placed at the collision site after the meeting.
“Everyone in the community is reeling from Chris’ tragic and untimely death,” Mulligan said.
A “ghost bike” in memory of Christopher Brignetti is held on the steps of City Hall during a rally in San Rafael, Calif. on Monday, July 22, 2025. Brignetti was killed when he was struck by a car on Manuel T. Freitas Parkway in San Rafael Saturday. (Alan Dep/Marin Independent Journal)
State law prohibited council members from taking action because the speakers addressed a topic not on the meeting agenda. However, Mayor Kate Colin and City Attorney Rob Epstein expressed their condolences.
“May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him,” Colin said.
Epstein told the speakers their comments would be recorded by the city staff.
“As a lifelong member of the community, I also share the grief and sadness that’s been expressed here this evening,” he said.
San Rafael police did not arrest the driver who struck Brignetti and said intoxication was not suspected.
Epstein said the police investigation is ongoing and that, under state law, the report will only be shared with the people involved or their representatives.
Sarah Roth, a friend of Brignetti and Winarske, said she was disappointed that city officials did not discuss actions to address the intersection.
“I would have liked to have heard them acknowledge that this intersection is a known issue and that they will be or are working on a plan to ensure the area is safe for all,” she said.
The segment of Freitas Parkway is an uphill road that leads to the Mission Pass Path between Sleepy Hollow and Terra Linda. Roth described Freitas Parkway as a “major thoroughfare” for bicyclists traveling to work, school or mountain bike trails.
“Hundreds of cyclists use it daily, arguably more than any other road in Marin,” she said.
During an interview Tuesday, Winarske said her husband’s road bicycle was his first love. He often rode from Marin County to his childhood hometown of San Francisco.
“He was a roadie through and through,” Winarske said. “For him, the more hills, the better.”
She described what Brignetti enjoyed about coaching Terra Linda High School’s mountain bike team, which includes one of their children.
“He loved sharing his passion for bicycling,” Winarske said. “He really loved people, especially kids. The knowledge he could share and use to connect with other people — he loved that.”
Roth said she and others plan to work with the Marin County Bicycle Coalition to make sure the city stays focused on street safety. She said they will attend as many City Council meetings as necessary in order to be heard.
“The city needs to stop waiting for someone to be killed before they can take the initiative to fix a problematic intersection,” Roth said. “We won’t stop until they prioritize public safety.”
A celebration of Brignetti’s life was held at McNears Beach on Sunday.