I know exactly what you mean, the shrines/tributes abroad put the british 'tie a £1.99 bunch of daffs to a lampost' to shame. The ghost bikes are a step in the right direction but I havent seen them outside of London.
This applies to all tributes BTW not just cyclists......
I think it depends on the people involved. There were two kids killed near me a few years back, one about 5 years back and the other in the early 90s. Both had tributes put up to remember them. Both were because of hit and runs. Both sets of families were on very low income - so no way on earth they could afford anything other than a few quid every year or so.
Its not the value of the flowers that matters, its about drawing people's attention to problems, incidents and making them think... even change their behaviour.
I think words like "bling" have no bearing or relevance in these situations. In some its entirely disrespectful.
