,
Respected physicist and active outdoorsman Scott Dwight Habermehl died May 29 at the age of 63 due to injuries sustained from a hit-and-run crash in the northeast area of Albuquerque during his bike commute. His death underscores pressing concerns about road safety for cyclists.
According to his obituary, all who knew him were aware of his intensity, humility and love for life. Over nearly 30 years at Sandia National Laboratories, he made significant contributions to thin film and semiconductor engineering.
“He was an avid commuter, I don’t know that he would really describe himself as a cyclist but he always commuted by bike to work,†his son Scott Thomas Habermehl said.
Habermehl’s family estimated that he rode about 250,000 miles during his three decades at the labs.
He rode 25 miles to work twice a day, which is about 9,000 to 10,000 miles a year, according to his son.
“He never regretted biking to work because it’s such a nice experience,†his son said. “It’s honestly just way more pleasant than driving home in traffic on I-25 and then traffic on Alameda.â€
It was during his early morning commute to work in late May when the Albuquerque Police Department’s Fatal Crash Unit responded to a call at the intersection of Moon Street and Atkinson Place NE.
According to police, Habermehl was struck from the rear while he was traveling in the bicycle lane and the person driving the vehicle fled the scene before officers arrived. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition and later died from his injuries. Officers are still investigating the incident.
His death has impacted the local biking community, raising urgent concerns about cyclist safety on Albuquerque’s streets. Advocates are calling for action to improve infrastructure and prevent future tragedies.
BikeABQ, a nonprofit organization that advocates for improving biking safety and convenience in Albuquerque, said in a statement that they are “deeply saddened by the tragic death of cyclist Scott Habermehl, a beloved member of our community.â€
“We are committed to advocating for the infrastructure and policies necessary to prevent such tragedies in the future,†the group told the Comment. “The fact that this happened to such an experienced cyclist as Scott reflects the reality that cyclists themselves can only do so much to ensure their safety while riding. We need assistance at all levels—city, state, and federal—to ensure that the infrastructure on the ground is safe for all.â€
The younger Habermehl said the Duke City Wheelmen Foundation, a nonprofit bicycling advocacy organization, contacted the family to set up a ghost bike at the site of the accident, but the plans have not yet been finalized.
His life
Scott Thomas Habermehl said that his father participated in biking races over the years, though his father rarely mentioned them unless asked directly.
“The interesting thing about him is even if he did 1,000 bike races and won them all, he would never tell you any of that,†he said. “He would be the last person to ever tell you that he biked 250,000 miles, probably he would be cringing if he knew we were talking about it.â€
His family will host a gathering in Corrales on Saturday, Sept. 21, followed by an ash release in Leadville, Colorado, on Monday, Sept. 23. A retirement ceremony at Sandia National Laboratories will be held on Friday, Sept. 20.
So sorry for the family’s loss.