ghost bike

n. an entirely white bicycle left as a memorial where a bicycle rider has been killed or hurt by an automobile. Subjects: English, Automobiles & Transportation

Editorial Note: A loose coalition of “ghost bike” projects, including pictures of ghost bikes, can be found at ghostbike.org.

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Citations: 2004 Jonathan D. Silver Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pennsylvania) (May 27) “‘Ghost Bikes’ Are Grim Reminders” p. B-4: They appeared late Monday around Allegheny County, 14 bicycles painted a ghostly white and chained to poles with a cryptic sign: “Cyclist Struck Here.” The roadside memorials are the work of Ghost Bike Pittsburgh, a loosely organized group of bicycle enthusiasts seeking to improve the lot of bicyclists in a sometimes hostile world.…Its goal with the ghost bike project is simple: “to help Pittsburgh become a city where cyclists and motorists can coexist, to the benefit of both groups.” 2005 Kristin Dizon Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Washington) (Aug. 3) “‘Ghost bikes’ offer eerie reminder to share the road”: Bicycles painted stark white are chained to stop signs and telephone poles at nearly 40 locations around the city. An eerie visual reminder of the dangers cyclists face every day on local streets, these “ghost cycles” appeared at sites where someone reported a collision or dicey riding conditions. 2005 Amy Jenniges The Stranger (Seattle, Washington) (Aug. 4-10) “Crash Course”: There are few cars on the road at 1:15 a.m. as two bikers survey a slim metal utility pole at the ill-fated intersection, trying to figure out the most impressive way to attach a crumpled white bike to it with a three-foot length of chain and a chunky lock. The bike ends up suspended three feet off the ground, where it will surely grab plenty of attention during the upcoming commute, still hours away. “Pretty visible, huh? Kick ass,” one of the bikers says before hopping back into the car, off to install more “ghost cycles” throughout the city. 2007 John Mazor New York Post (Jan. 8) “Ride For Fallen ’06 Bicyclists”: Bicycle-safety advocates yesterday solemnly rode to each of the 14 spots around the city where cyclists were killed by cars in 2006, leaving behind white “ghost bikes” to memorialize the victims. 2007 Glenn Kauth Sun (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) (Sept. 19) “Teen was well loved”: The latest incident came on the same day local cyclists had put up what’s called a ghost bike near the spot where 38-year-old William Korol died on Saturday in a hit-and run crash on Stony Plain Road. The ghost bikes, which are painted stark white, are meant as memorials to those killed riding Edmonton’s streets and as reminders for cyclists and drivers to mind each other on the roads.

Posted 20 Sep 07 | Permalink | Tell a Friend