WEST SPRINGFIELD — On May 24, the streets will roar with the sounds of motorcycles and the hearts of a community determined to remember a life cut short. The third annual Honorary Rideout for Edwin “Eddie” Perez will bring together friends, family and fellow riders in a powerful tribute to the 23-year-old whose tragic passing in a motorcycle accident on May 23, 2023, sparked a growing movement for road safety and motorcycle awareness.
“The inspiration for creating the Honorary Rideout was my nephew Eddie,” shared his aunt, Kassandra Perez. “As an aunt, you don’t expect to lose one of your nephews. No one ever expects to lose someone so young, especially at 23.”
Eddie was much more than a motorcycle enthusiast. He was the oldest of five children, the first in his family to graduate high school and a budding mechanic with a love for fishing and a laugh that “you could spot out of a crowded room.” According to Perez, “He always went out of his way to make sure everyone felt included. He was someone everyone could be proud of because he was always in your corner, just as much as you wanted to be in his to cheer him on.”
The rideout has become a tradition, one born from heartbreak but rooted in hope. “Our family was dealing with such devastation, and I wanted to bring some comfort to my brother’s family — to let them know they’re not alone,” said Perez. “Even people who may not know them are there for them.”
Over the past three years, the event has grown beyond anything the Perez family expected. “The number of people that have come together over social media to share Eddie’s story and push for motorcycle awareness has evolved,” she said. “People are becoming more unapologetic about being advocates.”
One unforgettable moment came during last year’s rideout, Perez recalled. “With the help of a fellow motorcyclist and my brother Edwin, they guided my nephew Evan to do a burnout on his brother’s motorcycle for the first time. Everyone came together to support him, stand by his side and after the burnout was performed, my brother embraced his son Evan with a hug. Everyone just took a moment of silence after we all cheered. It was a very moving experience.”
In addition to honoring Eddie’s memory, the rideout has taken on a greater mission — to demand safer highways. “The highway is extremely dangerous, causing multiple accidents,” Perez explained. “Take your time when getting on and off the highway. Stay off your phones. Most importantly, slow down.”
The family also maintains a memorial site, complete with an Adopt-a-Highway sign and ongoing upkeep. While the sign was free, decorations, maintenance, food, and event costs for the rideout add up. “In the future, we hope to raise funds for merchandise and safety class events,” Perez explained.
Ultimately, the Perez family wants to build a community of awareness and action. “If anyone would like to join the rideout, we’ll continue to have it every year. Everyone is welcome to help raise awareness for the rideout, remembering the ones we lost,” Perez said. “We want to build a community to make a difference for families to not experience the loss our family has suffered.”
Riders will meet at 1 p.m. at the memorial site, 1247 Riverdale St. in West Springfield, and then ride to Rivers Park on Meadow Street in Chicopee.
