The Troubling Rise of the Ghost Bike

[riversedge]

I have not heard of these. Something good is coming from these horrible deaths--slowly.




The Troubling Rise of the Ghost Bike



https://getpocket.com/explore/item/the-troubling-rise-of-the-ghost-bike?utm_source=pocket-newtab
Roadside shrines marking the site of cycling tragedies are showing up everywhere, a sign of how little progress we’ve made in making biking safer. It’s time we organize.


Marc Peruzzi



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Photo by Westhoff/iStock.

Paint an old bike white and place it at the roadside scene of a cyclist’s death and you have a ghost bike. It’s a variation on the crosses that dot the West to mark fatal crash sites, except ghost bikes are nondenominational and carry a second message other than grief, a message intended for drivers: Stop killing us.

On group rides in Boulder, Colorado, fellow cyclists would point out ghost bikes like they would potholes and rocks, with an outstretched arm and a flash of an index finger. There’s one for the college athlete from South America who overcooked a steep corner into oncoming traffic. Here’s another for a young father with three school-age kids and a passion for road racing; he was taken out by a sunburned drunk driver with half a 32-pack of domestic swill in her system. Take a right turn and there’s a third whited-out shrine for the Ironman triathlete who was killed while she rode within the cones, according to the legal team her family hired—the police said otherwise. (The police, a lawyer friend of mine recently vented to me, seem to always side with drivers over cyclists.)

Those were three of the seven biking deaths (plus at least two near-fatal traumatic brain injuries of former pro cyclists) that occurred in Boulder County within a roughly 12-month window culminating in 2017. The deaths and injuries roiled the cycling community.

Of that count, only in one death and one traumatic brain injury (that came with a severed arm) were the cyclists unquestionably at fault, both pushing Tour de France speeds on descents with oncoming traffic............................

Bike lanes and bike paths and free pancakes for commuters aren’t enough. Cyclists need to own their safety—there’s no denying that—but they also need to advocate for themselves. A new Boulder nonprofit is doing exactly that and should serve as a template for cycling towns everywhere. Cyclists 4 Community began as a fundraising enterprise to help the victims of the 2013 floods that devastated the towns of Jamestown and Lyons, popular destinations with area cyclists. The efforts were successful, with more than $250,000 raised to date. (Full disclosure: I ride with the C4C organizers and helped them develop promotional materials after the floods.)

After the towns were rebuilt, C4C found a long-term purpose in advocating for bike safety. Today, the group uses its fundraising and unifying chops to lobby local government to place lighted signs on busy cycling routes, reminding drivers and cyclists to share the road and to expect heavy traffic. One effort, says C4C’s Russ Chandler, co-owner of Boulder’s Full Cycle bike shop, is to petition the town’s transportation officials to build a short section of dedicated bike path to get road and gravel cyclists safely past a dangerous stretch of highway (two ghost bikes) and out onto the less-congested county roads. C4C also works with existing groups pushing for safe bike routes to schools. And the group has opened talks with the local mountain bike club to see how they can work together in getting mountain bikers to trailheads more safely. C4C also buys bike lights at cost or wrangles donations and hands them out for free. Even the strongest Boulder cyclists now run blinking taillights during daylight hours—a habit that was considered taboo only a few years ago. Locally, much of the credit for that belongs to C4C.

As testament to the power of such advocacy, a lawyer running for district attorney recently scheduled a talk with the Wednesday Morning Velo crowd—a weekly sponsored group ride with deep organizational ties to C4C that sees as many as 150 participants a week—in search of their support. He was running on the promise that he’ll hold drivers accountable for accidents involving bikes. This type of outreach only happens when cyclists organize.

Such organization is changing the tenor of cycling. As with backcountry skiers discussing the snowpack, bike safety is now something that’s talked about openly. ...............................

[applegrove]

1. I remember driving along the highways of Margarita Island Venezuela.

There were crosses and cairns everywhere along the side of the road in memory of whomever had died in a car crash there. Cheap gas and lots of drinking and driving I guess. That was 24 years ago. It was really harrowing. They started doing the ghost bike thing in Ottawa 5 years ago. I think it is good that drivers are spooked by something to remind them to be careful.

[AllyCat]

7. OMG, I was there 20 years ago and thought the same thing!

There were so many, I thought it was for some other purpose. Then our Jeep driver explained the crashes. Once we rode with the Jeep driver for another hour, we realized WHY there were so many crashes. Completely unsafe and NO seatbelts.

[applegrove]

11. We got a taxi to playa el Agua from our resort. Our driver dropped us off at the

beach and said "eat at that restaurant". We noticed he hung around in the restaurant all day. Then we ate there. Really good steak. Then we drove home with him. He stopped at a store half way home and bought beer for us all. My friend and himself too. We all drank on the drive home. I or 2 cans of beer. And that was his shift. I guess Playa do Agua is far enough away from town (Maybe 45 minutes or an hour) that that to and from driving us and getting a free meal at the restaurant was his day. I can't believe we didn't stop him from having a can of beer himself on the ride home. But we must have been buzzed from the booze at our meal. That is what makes me think there were a lot of alcohol related deaths. He had no fear of getting caught. Of course cheap gas is what Venezuela is famous for so even poor people can afford cars. Those crosses were everywhere on the side of the road. So sad. I definitely had alcohol goggles on because he kissed us good bye and we took a picture of him with us. He was not as pleasant looking once i got my photos back from being developed.

[AllyCat]

16. Beer goggles are always liars.

Glad you were all safe!

[marble falls]

2. Sobering post. Thanks.

[MarvinGardens]

3. Here in Atlanta, the car drivers are bad.

The cyclists are even worse, at least down in the city. Most I've encountered completely disregard traffic laws, running stop signs and red lights. The folks doing that seem to not value their lives very much. The cyclists in the burbs are a little more law abiding.

When I rode a bike for transportation in my grad school days, I rode up on the sidewalk. I know it's illegal some places, and frankly I didn't care, because I value my life. Have you ever heard of a cyclist being ticketed for riding on a sidewalk? I also waited for the "walk" signal or green light, and I stopped at stop signs. The kinetic energy of car versus cyclist is much greater than cyclist versus pedestrian. The laws that have a cyclist sharing the road with modern 60mph traffic were probably written when cyclists would at most encounter a Model T moving at 25mph.

It's time for updates, in both law and infrastructure. We need dedicated bike lanes everywhere, of course. Where those don't exist, cyclists must use the sidewalk if one exists. If no bike lane or sidewalk, only then could a cyclist legally use the road. They must then ride as close to the shoulder as possible, which of course is the law now, which many ignore. *sigh*

[homegirl]

4. The poster of this item

is unaware of how highly organized the Bicycle Coalitions are. In San Francisco they have passed a law that permits cyclists to run stop signs and traffic lights. Many of them are brazen and deliberately ride the white line of the bicycle lane. They appear as a small group at every local Planning Commission hearing in search of more accommodation for cyclists. They jump traffic lights and flip you off. Time they were required to have a license plate and insurance.

[MarvinGardens]

5. They are *allowed* to run red lights?

Madness. Absolute madness. You and I are on the same page.

[jberryhill]

27. The Idaho Stop Is Safer

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idaho_stop

Advocates for Idaho stop laws argue that they improve safety. Two studies of the Idaho stop show that it is measurably safer. One study showed that it resulted in 14% fewer crashes and another indicated that Idaho has less severe crashes.[13][14] Similarly, tests of a modified form of the Idaho Stop in Paris "found that allowing the cyclists to move more freely cut down the chances of collisions with cars, including accidents involving the car's blind spot."[15] And, less definitively, a study of rolling stops in Seattle determined that "these results support the theoretical assertion that bicyclists are capable of making safe decisions regarding rolling stop,"[16] while a 2013 survey of stop as yield in Colorado localities where it is legal reported no increase in crashes.[17]

---

Ignorance is not a good substitute for data.

It is not a matter of being "allowed" to run red lights or stop signs. There are two factors to consider:

(a) visibility - at the rate of speed at which cyclists approach intersections, they have much better 180 degree unobstructed visibility of what is coming into the intersection; and

(b) acceleration penalty - for a cyclist to stop at a clear intersection, and then re-start, the cyclist starting from a dead stop ends up MORE likely to be contending for space in the intersection with other traffic, because now the cyclist has burned off the momentum they had when they were approaching the intersection. For example, at a red light, if the cyclist waits with the entire convoy of cars stopped at the light, then the cyclist must proceed into the intersection with all of those other cars. That gets particularly tricky in the instance of left turns where there is a lane from which traffic may turn left OR go straight. In that situation, the cyclist - who is to the right of that lane and seeking to turn left - has to come off of the line when the light turns green and then try to figure out which of the oncoming cars is going to turn left and which are going to to go straight (and I can assure you that turn signals are no indication of what a driver is going to do).

But, yeah, if you never thought about it and are ignorant of the statistics, then those are great qualifications for having an opinion.

[MarvinGardens]

33. If someone runs a red light when nothing's coming, did they really run the light?

If someone runs a red light when the intersection is clear, I don't give a shit, whether on a bike or in a car. The cop hiding in the bushes might care, but I don't. And when's the last time a cyclist was ever cited for ignoring any traffic law? That shit might happen where you live, but not where I do. Cyclists here in the urban areas run red lights and stop signs when it isn't clear, alone and in groups, with total impunity, forcing motorists to slam on brakes and sit at green fucking lights so they don't kill someone. The cops aren't going to do a damn thing about it until the eventual death investigation. In some areas here, it takes them an hour plus to respond to a non-injury car accident.

But it sounds like a good law that could work in Idaho. And maybe quiet, suburban areas of Delaware. Apparently 48 other state legislatures remain unpersuaded thus far. As another poster said, laws tend to be based on traffic studies. I'm not going to support a law that encourages madness.

And your post was a total straw man. Or you misunderstood what I have a problem with. We can go with that.

[mjvpi]

14. The San Francisco Bicycle group that has a web site

Lists obeying all traffic signals as the rule of the road. Every link on the first page of my search showed the same thing. All of their 10 rules of the road are sensible.

That being said, I live in a college town with many serious riders. Large groups of them can routinely ride in a manor that doesn’t respect traffic flow, three or four across so that cars can’t pass safely. Bike riders routinely move from road to sidewalk riding against traffic and passing on the right. The police here won’t tell me whether, as a bike rider, I function as a car or a pedestrian. When I ride as a car, many cars won’t respect my hand signals or give me the space that is required by law.

It’s great to see the Boulder group being proactive in terms of bike routes and education. The problem is a two way street, pun intended.

[Major Nikon]

6. Regarding valuing your life, riding on the sidewalk is significantly less safe

The vast majority of vehicle/bicycle accidents happen at intersections. By riding on the sidewalk you are crossing intersections at a place where drivers don't expect to encounter a cyclist. That's why riding a bicycle on the sidewalk is illegal in most places and yet you see people doing it quite often to their peril. Often it's children who suffer the most.

Bicycles don't mix well with pedestrian traffic either and quite a few injuries result. Another problem is pedestrians using bike trails and multi-use trails which simply compound the problem.

[MarvinGardens]

12. I know "common sense" is sometimes a misnomer

as it is occasionally dead wrong. If you have data to support your claim, I may have to reconsider my view. I can see right-turning car versus bike in crosswalk being a problem. That's why you slow way down and look, if you are the bike entering the crosswalk, same as if you are a pedestrian. Obviously, I felt safer riding on the sidewalk, but maybe I was wrong to feel that way. Much lower chance of a sideswipe or rear end, right?

And, under my regime, if I were king, car drivers would be properly trained to expect bikes in crosswalks.

[Major Nikon]

13. I spent many years commuting by bike including during hours of darkness

A quick google search on sidewalk cycling will yield tons of information with just about all of it telling you it's a bad idea for the reasons mentioned. That's why it's illegal in most places. Pretty much all traffic laws are based on traffic studies. Those that pertain to cyclists are no exception.

Sideswipes and rear end accidents are the fear, not the reality. The reality is those types of accidents are rare and can be significantly mitigated by using highly visible clothing and accessories.

[MarvinGardens]

15. It's just hard for me to believe.

I found both POV when I googled. It would still be my personal choice to use the sidewalk, at this juncture. Please no one else take my advice without doing your own research.

Cars and bikes sharing the road is inherently dangerous. The ghost bikes will keep accumulating, until they stop sharing the same roads.

[jberryhill]

30. With all those pedestrians also glued to their phones....

[Major Nikon]

31. The worst are those 50' dog leashes

[Skittles]

21. they are bad everywhere

people driving while texting.....they're not going to see cars, let alone BIKES

[reACTIONary]

8. Bikes will never be....

... a safe form of transportation, until everyone is on a bike. That isn't going to happen anytime soon.

[AllyCat]

17. Well, by that logic, cars aren't safe either.

Or walking.

[reACTIONary]

20. This observation isn't a syllogism...

When a bike gets hit by a car, it isn't the driver that ends up dead. If you stick to the sidewalk, dismount and cross in the cross walks you have as much safety as a pedestrian. if you bike on a road, in traffic, even on the shoulder or a so-called bike lane, you are putting your life at risk.

I know of folks who have died.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

9. I likewise see cyclists with zero regard for traffic laws.

Oh, and helmets.

[Iggo]

22. There it is.

[jberryhill]

29. What makes these types particularly funny

Is the bizarre assumption by people who drive and never ride a bike, that adult cyclists somehow manage not to also be car drivers. As if by some kind of voodoo the majority of adults you see on $3000 road bikes never get behind the wheel of car.

It should be obvious that most cyclists log more miles behind the wheel of a car than a bicycle, but somehow the people who drive cars and NEVER ride a bike, think that car drivers are some paragons of conscientious road use.

[MasonDreams]

10. Sold my road bike, got too old to get hit again

The opening car door was the worst. He faked me out, looked right at me with the door 6in open, then blam. Got hit by a car turning right with his left blinker blinking. Forget the injuries, Damn, my mental health just couldn't take being that ANGRY anymore.
I have a bumper sticker that says SEE BICYCLES.
Every time, the first thing they say after they hit you is, I didn't see you. And the first thing I say is I'm wearing road hazard orange you son of a bitch, that's a really shity excuse for attempted vehicular homicide. I'm so lucky I've always been able to walk away, and I've always been smart enough to, not once have I ever cracked a skull or destroyed a car with my U bolt lock. The anger made me stop, reality is as hard as the pavement, and the reality is they'll kill you, and they can't see you. Thier brains don't process correctly what thier eyes see.

[3Hotdogs]

18. My peeve is the assholes riding a bike at night. I'm talking like 2 or 3 a.m. sometimes.

Wearing black, no lights or any type of reflective gear or clothing. I believe many of them are restaurant or bar workers, riding home after work.

One in my town, Maplewood, N.J., didn't make it home last year. 3 a.m.

[FakeNoose]

24. Or they lost their license through multiple DUI incidents

Most likely riding their bikes in the same condition, one would assume.

[3Hotdogs]

25. My problem is that I have come close to hitting some of these characters.

While I wouldn't be legally liable, I would still feel badly about it.

[jberryhill]

28. People who can't afford cars suck

Assholes. Trying to get home from low wage jobs. They must be horrid people.

[3Hotdogs]

32. Its not about a car or a bike. Its about riding your bike in a way and with the proper equipment

that avoids your getting killed in the process of getting from point A to point B.

Carry on.

[Uncle Joe]

19. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread riversedge.

[Blue_Tires]

23. kick

[Downtown Hound]

26. This is actually one area where self-driving cars would be way better than humans.

And for the inevitable, "I just don't trust them to make decisions for people," posts that are bound to follow, remember that there is still a person behind the wheel that can take control anytime. But I promise you one thing; take one hundred cases of a human driving a car at night and put them in close proximity to a bicyclist, and I guarantee you that the computer is going to come out way ahead on who makes less mistakes.

[MicaelS]

34. I do not pay any attention...

To any roadside memorial. I am focusing on my driving.