Ghost Bikes

[Lizban]

I cycle past a ghost bike every day, my Mrs who is new to cycling saw this and it really put her off cycling that route.

Her view is that whilst they are a good tribute to the person they simply serve as reminder of how 'dangerous' cycling is.

So what's your view on ghost bikes?

Nice tribute?
or
off putting to new cyclists?

 

[skwerl]

the fact there aren't any on my route is a good thing. To me anyway

 

[Bigtwin]

Both. Cycling is dangerous, at least in areas where ghost bikes are found, by definition.

Anyone who doesn't realise that or wants to be in denial about it and not deal with it is probably a danger to at least themselves.

 

[skwerl]

absolute bollocks. A ghost bike just represents that someone (almost exclusively a messenger) has been killed on their bike at that location. You can't extraoplate that to mean the location is, by definition, dangerous. A pile of ghost bikes is a different story. Assumption based on n=1 samples is just complete pants

 

[yorkshiregoth]

Same thing would then apply to all the places where peds have been killed and people leave flowers.

 

[addictfreak]

Ghost Bike?

 

[yorkshiregoth]

Ghost Bike?

Bikes stripped down and painted white and chained close to a cyclist fatality.

 

[marinyork]

I think Ghost Bikes are a good idea.

 

[addictfreak]

Thanks Yorkshiregoth. I can honestly say not only have I never seen one, but until today never even heard of it.

 

[Banjo]

I disagree with them .and with flowers left on roadsides. We all know the dangers ,personally I think they are morbid.

 

[MajorMantra]

absolute bollocks. A ghost bike just represents that someone (almost exclusively a messenger) has been killed on their bike at that location. You can't extraoplate that to mean the location is, by definition, dangerous. A pile of ghost bikes is a different story. Assumption based on n=1 samples is just complete pants

Not true. In fact, none of the ghost bikes I've read about have been messengers. Most of them were random people who were killed - many of whom have never considered themselves part of the 'cycling community'. There is an extent to which the tragedy of their deaths has been appropriated by those who wish to make a point.

I think ghost bikes are very sad, but that they do more harm than good.

Matthew

 

[jig-sore]

Ghost Bike?

these are ghost bikes...


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrQzmyws5WY


and for the negative posters... how can ghost bikes be a bad thing ???? they are very distinctive and grab your attention.

their purpose is two fold, one, to commemorate the dead cyclist, and two, to make drivers (and cyclists) THINK.

how can anything that makes drivers more aware of the consequences of not being careful around cyclists be a bad thing ????

it's like saying "don't fit seat belts in cars as it makes driving seem dangerous"

time to think past the end of your own nose people

 

[ComedyPilot]

Every year you (and your mrs) must travel past HUNDREDS of roadside shrines to people killed in collisions. Do you avoid those roads, or get put off driving?

 

[ComedyPilot]

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrQzmyws5WY


how can ghost bikes be a bad thing ???? they are very distinctive and grab your attention.

their purpose is two fold, one, to commemorate the dead cyclist, and two, to make drivers THINK.

how can anything that makes drivers more aware of the consequences of not being careful around cyclists be a bad thing ????

it's like saying "don't fit seat belts in cars as it makes driving seem dangerous"

time to think past the end of your own nose people

And also make cyclists think?

 

[Billloudon]

Thanks Yorkshiregoth. I can honestly say not only have I never seen one, but until today never even heard of it.

Me neither!
It would just keep me focussed tho' and make me think of the person who died.