Ghost Bikes: Haunting Memorials to Fallen Riders
May 31, 2007 by Liz Lewis
Filed under Cycling, Philosophy, Politics, Prevention
Since June 2005 members of Visual Resistance have been creating small memorials to fallen bikers in New York City. When a biker has been killed in an auto-related accident a bike is painted all-white and locked down at the scene with a small plaque attached.
The installations are meant as reminders of the tragedy that took place on an otherwise anonymous street corner, and as quiet statements in support of bikers’ right to safe travel. It was inspired by Ghost Bike Pittsburgh, which was in turn inspired by a similar effort in St. Louis. In recent months, Ghost Bikes have appeared in cities across the country, as well as in the UK.
Creating and installing ghost bikes is a sad and moving process. The death of a fellow bicyclist hits home, since we travel the same unsafe streets and face the same risks; it could just as easily be one of us.
Each time we say we hope to never have to do it again — but we remain comitted to making these memorials as long as they are needed.
Map to the ghost bikes of New York City.
Kelly Townsend