Street memorials can take many shapes; Silver Lake, Los Angeles, now has a bicycle shaped memorial for the victim of a April 17th shooting.
A Ghost Bike For Manuel Santizo
Manuel Santizo, 28 years old, was murdered on Del Mar Avenue at Hoover Street last Sunday by unknown assailants as he pedaled home from a trip to the store. First they reportedly struck him with the vehicle they occupied and then shot him where he’d fallen.
Last night a contingent of Midnight Ridazz gathered at the location of the crime to install a ghost bike in his honor.
Until 6 p.m. today family members and friends are holding a carwash to raise funds to help his wife and infant son who are absolutely devastated.
If you find yourself in the neighborhood of Myra and Effie (pinpoint map) in Silver Lake, find it in your heart to make a contribution.
NZ city rejects ghost bike plan for fear ghost pedestrians & ghost motorcycles might follow »
Keith Turner, chairman of local cycling campaign group Spokes Canterbury said that the chairman Keith Turner said the organisation was not going to take a position on the issue, commenting that “we have a slight concern that in putting them up it is another thing that highlights maybe cycling is dangerous,” adding that statistics showed that one cyclist fatality occurred for the equivalent of every 52 years spent riding.
“We’re basically taking a neutral stand,” he continued. “Some members think it’s a very good idea, and they’re free to do that. As an organisation, we can see both sides of the argument. When there’s a car crash you see crosses, but you don’t generally see ghost cars.”
(Source: lecoupfourre, via spontaneousmemorials)
University of Otago Christchurch researcher Lucia Alonso-Gonzalez hopes to bring the ghost bikes idea to the city.
“As a cyclist myself I’m quite conscious of the dangers cyclists have to go through,” she said. “I’ve had my own near-misses.
“I believe it’s a beautiful memorial for the family [of a cyclist] and I believe it could be a shocking image for a motorist, especially at night.
“I have had my share of reckless drivers, absent-minded pedestrians crossing without looking, truck drivers who push you to the side of the road.
“I have had two near-misses in the past two months and I am trying to do something to improve cyclist safety nationwide.”
Along with all the road signs and beer cans, memorials to loved-ones made of flowers, stuffed animals and baseball caps are far too common a feature along the roads I’ve traveled. This one, however, really hit home.
via Bowling by Bike
The sister of fallen cyclist James Laing pauses to say thank you »
The sister of fallen cyclist James Laing pauses to say thank you
Chances are, you didn’t notice it.
It was just a comment that appeared on here Monday, on a story I wrote a couple weeks ago. But who wrote it, and what she had to say, speaks volumes.
It seems like such small and insignificant gestures to install a ghost bike or hold a ride in memory of a fallen cyclist. Not nearly enough to ease our overwhelming sadness and anger, or bring comfort to the families of the victims.
Let alone result in real change on our roads to keep it from happening again.
Then I read this comment from Peggy Laing-Krause, the sister of James Laing — the cyclist killed by an alleged drunk driver in Agoura Hills last month:
What a beautiful tribute to my brother to ride in his honor and visit the accident site. I have come down from Sacramento 3 times since Jim’s death and each time I visit the site, it has grown larger than the last. So touching to me, and to my family who live in So. Cal., to see the compassion from all the riders. Being an avid cyclist myself, I know of the close unity that exists in the bicycling community… no matter where you live. Thank you for your tremendous support and thoughtful coverage of Jim’s accident. You ARE making a difference.
I must have read that a dozen times over the past couple days. And it’s brought a tear to my eye every time.
And yes, it makes me feel even more guilty that I wasn’t able to be there for the memorial ride.
So to the San Fernando Valley Bicycle Club, who sponsored the ride in memory of James Laing, and the Bicycle Johns Agoura Hills, who went out of their way to accommodate the riders and make it happen — thank you.
And to everyone who has taken the time to remember James, Danny Marin, Michael Nine or any of the far too many other riders who’ve fallen on SoCal streets in recent months, in whatever way, take just a moment to take Peggy’s comment in.
You are making a difference.
For the families of the victims. And for all of us.
via BikingInLA
Ghost bike memorial stands at the Moorhead intersection of 8th Street and 24th Avenue to honor Kristopher Close »
What is known as a “Ghost Bike” memorial stands at the Moorhead intersection of 8th Street and 24th Avenue to honor Kristopher Close.
Close was bicycling at the intersection on July 26 when he was struck by a motorist. Close died from his injuries two days later.
The Ghost Bike tributes are intended to raise awareness for bicyclists by reminding motorists to share the road. Ghost Bikes have popped up across the nation, at sites where bicyclists have been killed or severely injured.
According to family members, Close biked everywhere he went. His aunt, Shirley Nordstrom, said the tribute was appreciated, especially at such a dangerous intersection.
Lt. Tory Jacobson with the Moorhead Police said the department understands the need for the memorial while friends and family mourn, but how long it will be allowed to stay will be up to the city.
“We recognize, certainly, from the tragic event why it was put there,” Jacobson said.
