Nottingham Council to remove ghost bike

[S.Giles]

The whole concept of dumping piles of flower bouquets etc on the ground to mark the spot where something tragic happened really bothers me in a way that I find difficult to articulate. Even worse where a child is involved and complete strangers (not wishing to miss out on the open-to-all grief fest) leave teddy bears, toys and the like. No one wants to be the one to clear up the mess, so it turns into a rain-sodden health hazard, paid for with money that could have been given to charity and used to actually achieve something useful.

A tasteful plaque to commemorate someone's life and maybe remind passers-by of potential danger is a different matter.

Steve

 

[slowmotion]

I'm not a big fan of "shrining" but I can understand why the family etc might want to do it. Grief is beyond reason. I think a simple white bicycle by itself is a pretty good memorial. If I see one, I find it quite disturbing, for obvious reasons. I think that in the late Sixties, a fairly left-wing faction in Amsterdam city council proposed pouring white tarmac to outline the profile of dead cyclists' bodies where they died.

 

[jarlrmai]

it's a statement about societal acceptance of it.

 

[classic33]

may be replaced by permanent memorial
The council have spoken to Wright’s family and partner about the possibility of building a permanent memorial to her instead.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

may be replaced by permanent memorial
The council have spoken to Wright’s family and partner about the possibility of building a permanent memorial to her instead.

Where?
Why?

GC

 

[Deleted member 23692]

When did graves stop being a fitting memorial to a loved one?
They seem to have been replaced by 'sentimental fly tipping'

 

[classic33]

Where?
Why?

GC

Where: nearby I'd say.
Why: To appease the family.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Where: nearby I'd say.
Why: To appease the family.

With respect to the deceased and her family, I don't think appeasement would be sufficient reason. As Ffoeg says, a headstone should be memorial enough.

GC

 

[w00hoo_kent]

With respect to the deceased and her family, I don't think appeasement would be sufficient reason. As Ffoeg says, a headstone should be memorial enough.

The family might want it though. On the way out of Maidstone, by Mote Park, there is a plaque and a small vase for flowers attached to the wall where a teenager was killed crossing the road. It must have been there 20 years. I presume it was done by the family. Then of course Jade got a bridge.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

The family might want it though. On the way out of Maidstone, by Mote Park, there is a plaque and a small vase for flowers attached to the wall where a teenager was killed crossing the road. It must have been there 20 years. I presume it was done by the family. Then of course Jade got a bridge.

The bridge is a public amenity that benefits everyone in the area, not a memorial (albeit it is known as Jade's bridge and was the result of family campaigning).

GC

 

[w00hoo_kent]

The bridge is a public amenity that benefits everyone in the area, not a memorial (albeit it is known as Jade's bridge and was the result of family campaigning).

GC

OK, I'll take your word for it.

 

[steveindenmark]

I can understand people putting ghost bikes out. But I dont think it should be a permanent, year after year reminder of loved one.

I believe the Council have left it a reasonable amount of time and have talked with the family about moving it. Thats the way it should happen.

 

[jarlrmai]

Its more a year on year, please be careful of cyclists as one died just here.