In thinking about the two fatalities last weekend, it got me thinking about what a ghost bike designates. The woman run down by the tired/drunk driver while pacing a relay runner is certainly someone I see deserving a memorial. There is no reason she should have died.
But the downtown cyclist, for whom this bike was put up, was reported to have run, "blown through" according to a Spokesman article, a red light and died in the ensuing collision. Do all cyclist death warrant a ghost bike?
I think a ghost bike is appropriate when anyone on a bike is killed. I blow stop signs sometimes. I like to think I blow them carefully. Every single day I see cars do the same at many intersections. I don't wear helmets sometimes. I'm not a model cyclist at all times. In fact, I've often thought that if I die in a car/bike accident, I sure hope I have a helmet on and that it was clearly not my fault. Awful shit like this happens. The point of the ghost bike is a reminder to us all to be careful and maybe to make us ponder what could have been the result if all involved were more alert. We've also learned that what we hear often comes from police reports and other sources which may or may not be completely accurate or unbiased.
I have to agree with John. I think any cycling death warrants a ghost regardless of who's at fault--ghost bikes can help bring awareness of all sorts of behavior that endangers cyclists, including their own. The idaho bike death certainly deserves a ghost bike and I hope someone in Idaho can do it, it's a bit beyond my reach. I would caution about drawing conclusions on fault based only on initial news reports, especially when a cyclist is deceased and can't give his point of view, and when the final police report is not available. That intersection has a low rise to the east that partially blocks the view of traffic and it faces wicked afternoon sun going westbound in August.
Thanks for the responses John and Jon. I know the news or police reports are not definitive, and the verb "blown" is problematic on its own (just bad reporting really), but that's what the public will see, know and believe (assuming they read or watch the news).
Unlike the clear cut case of the cyclist being run over by a drunk earlier this year, incidents such as this one are more ambiguous. I hate to see the Bob Apples of the city be given fodder to fight the expansion of cycling and the cycling infrastructure, and I fear some may see this ghost bike doing that. I'm not opposed to the bike, but the way some will "read" it and that's something we really cannot control.
Ghost bikes are a direct analogy to roadside crosses for car crashes. Fault is not the issue. Death is the issue.
Actually, roadside crosses are often for drivers who WERE at fault.
Legal fault also has little to do with real fault. Let the lawyers decide what's right and wrong, and only money will decide. Bicycles are at a constant disadvantage on the road relative to cars, and the law does not recognize that simple reality.
I'd like to thank you for putting up the bike for my uncle Frankie. It has been almost two years since his tragic accident and it still feels like yesterday we heard the news. My sincere condolences to the other victims in bike accidents around Spokane and the world. It is tragic, unexpected and simply shocking to all who knew the victims. I know he would have been honored that a bike was put up as a reminder to those biking or driving to be careful. RIP Uncle Frankie.
Sad.
ReplyDeleteThanks to Jon for putting up the bike.
I just realized that is right by my office. I ride through that intersection on my way home a lot. Craziness.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks to Jon for putting up the ghost bike.
In thinking about the two fatalities last weekend, it got me thinking about what a ghost bike designates. The woman run down by the tired/drunk driver while pacing a relay runner is certainly someone I see deserving a memorial. There is no reason she should have died.
ReplyDeleteBut the downtown cyclist, for whom this bike was put up, was reported to have run, "blown through" according to a Spokesman article, a red light and died in the ensuing collision. Do all cyclist death warrant a ghost bike?
I think a ghost bike is appropriate when anyone on a bike is killed.
ReplyDeleteI blow stop signs sometimes. I like to think I blow them carefully.
Every single day I see cars do the same at many intersections.
I don't wear helmets sometimes.
I'm not a model cyclist at all times.
In fact, I've often thought that if I die in a car/bike accident, I sure hope I have a helmet on and that it was clearly not my fault.
Awful shit like this happens. The point of the ghost bike is a reminder to us all to be careful and maybe to make us ponder what could have been the result if all involved were more alert.
We've also learned that what we hear often comes from police reports and other sources which may or may not be completely accurate or unbiased.
I have to agree with John. I think any cycling death warrants a ghost regardless of who's at fault--ghost bikes can help bring awareness of all sorts of behavior that endangers cyclists, including their own. The idaho bike death certainly deserves a ghost bike and I hope someone in Idaho can do it, it's a bit beyond my reach. I would caution about drawing conclusions on fault based only on initial news reports, especially when a cyclist is deceased and can't give his point of view, and when the final police report is not available. That intersection has a low rise to the east that partially blocks the view of traffic and it faces wicked afternoon sun going westbound in August.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the responses John and Jon. I know the news or police reports are not definitive, and the verb "blown" is problematic on its own (just bad reporting really), but that's what the public will see, know and believe (assuming they read or watch the news).
ReplyDeleteUnlike the clear cut case of the cyclist being run over by a drunk earlier this year, incidents such as this one are more ambiguous. I hate to see the Bob Apples of the city be given fodder to fight the expansion of cycling and the cycling infrastructure, and I fear some may see this ghost bike doing that. I'm not opposed to the bike, but the way some will "read" it and that's something we really cannot control.
Ghost bikes are a direct analogy to roadside crosses for car crashes. Fault is not the issue. Death is the issue.
ReplyDeleteActually, roadside crosses are often for drivers who WERE at fault.
Legal fault also has little to do with real fault. Let the lawyers decide what's right and wrong, and only money will decide. Bicycles are at a constant disadvantage on the road relative to cars, and the law does not recognize that simple reality.
http://ghostbikes.org/frank-t-redthunder
ReplyDeleteAwesome ghost bike site!
ReplyDeleteWhy isn't this new addition showing up when you search by location for "Spokane?"
On a slightly unrelated note... what ever happened to the Ghost Bike for David Squires (at Sprague and Division)? Anyone know?
I'd like to thank you for putting up the bike for my uncle Frankie. It has been almost two years since his tragic accident and it still feels like yesterday we heard the news. My sincere condolences to the other victims in bike accidents around Spokane and the world. It is tragic, unexpected and simply shocking to all who knew the victims. I know he would have been honored that a bike was put up as a reminder to those biking or driving to be careful. RIP Uncle Frankie.
ReplyDelete