Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Ghost bikes
'Ghost bikes' are appearing across the capital in memory of cyclists killed on the road.
Painted white, they are chained to railings or lamposts at or near the spot of an accident. A website has been set up which shows their locations and gives information.
In 2007 127 cyclists were killed in the UK.
ghostcycle.org.uk
The US ghostbike site
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Danzigger on
-
Not sure how I feel about these:
If they encourage safer driving and cycling that's great, but do they give the impression that cycling is more dangerous than it actually is?
-
Permalink Reply by John D on
-
I've only seen a few ghost riders (as the Americans apparently call them ) but many bunches of flowers where pedestrians have been killed. Does that put people off walking ?
I think the ghosts and the flowers are a useful reminder to all to take care.
Perhaps both should be removed after a reasonable time.
-
-
"I've only seen a few ghost riders ... but many bunches of flowers where pedestrians have been killed. Does that put people off walking ?"
That's not a sensible comparison!
a) Everybody walks, even if only to get to their cars, so we all have personal experiance if it. Lot's of people have never ridden in London, and the ghost bikes might put them off giving it a try.
b) - actually, perhaps bunches of flowers do put people off walking: how many kids are driven to school because their parents believe it's not safe to walk?
-
Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
-
There is a kids BMX ghost bike chained up outside Clissold Park which I ride past each day. Slightly heartbreaking.
-
Permalink Reply by Justin Guest on
-
I saw this a several weeks ago for the first time. First time I have seen a ghost bike. After a few weeks some flowers appeared and a note. I stopped one morning to read it but the rain had got to it, so it was not to clear. I think it was for a guy who had been killed while standing at the bus stop buy a stolen car (it was a few weeks ago and the note was a bit blurred, so don’t quote me on this) 10 years ago. It had been put there by his mother. It made me stop for a second and reflect, and if each ghost bike does this to only one person I guess they have done their job.... Was not sure if the bike and the flowers were for the same guy....
-
Permalink Reply by matt on
-
Stopping a speeding driver .... to think ... to slow down ... be aware ... got to be worth it. Thanks Justin.
Here's one in Stoke Newington;
image link
The Ghost Bike Pool on flickr.
-
Permalink Reply by Alison P on
-
In as much as it's possible, I like ghost bikes and think they have a very dignified kind of beauty. Sorry, pseuds corner and all that.
I can see what Danzigger means, but personally I find that - when I'm driving - seeing bunches of flowers on railings etc always makes me even more conscious of how I'm driving. Seeing ghost bikes hopefully has the same effect on people (assuming they know what they are). Even if they don't, I like the memorial aspect of them - so much better than a load of dead flowers wrapped up in plastic.
They get trashed by vandals though, believe it or not.
-
Permalink Reply by dan burgess on
-
Ghost bikes rock. in a sad and thoughtful way.
yes there's daft cyclists out there but there's way too many carbon fuelled vehicles out there, with no consciousness at all of anyone outside there steel bubble.
the world would be a happier place if more people rode a bike.
© 2024 Created by Hugh.
Powered by
