Are Ghost Bike Memorials a Thing of the Past?

For the last month, the future of Ghost Bikes—the haunting white bicycles memorializing cyclists killed by traffic, each chained to a pole on the closest street corner to where the victims were struck—has been a hot topic among bicycle advocates and enthusiasts, government agencies and elected officials in the wake of the Department of Sanitation’s proposal to enforce new rules mandating their removal.
On August 10th, the New York City Department of Sanitation held a public hearing to discuss a new rule regarding the removal of abandoned and derelict bicycles—including Ghost Bikes. The new rule will enforce the removal of any bicycle affixed to public property that is considered “derelict,” meaning that it must meet three of the following criteria: crushed or not usuable; has missing parts not including the seat or front wheel; flat or missing tires; damaged handlebars, frame, pedals or fork; 75 per cent of the bicycle is rusted.
Under the new rule, in the case of Ghost Bikes—“derelict bicycle(s) that have been placed on public property and apparently intended as a memorial for someone who is deceased, and which may be painted white or have a sign posted on or near it, or flowers and other momentos in the basket”—a notice will be affixed to the frame and, after 30 days, it will be removed.
The Department of Sanitation initially proposed the new rule in June of 2010, but quickly back-pedaled and reversed their decision after experiencing backlash from bicycle advocacy groups, elected officials and most importantly, City Hall. However, the new rule that will result in the disposal of Ghost Bikes, which are installed by community-based organization City Streets Project, is now back on the table, and will be adopted sometime in the coming months.
During her testimony Madelynn Liguori, Associate Counsel with the Bureau of Legal Affairs at the Department of Sanitation, made clear that Ghost Bikes—and all other bicycles, for that matter—will only be removed by the Department of Sanitation if they qualify as “derelict.”
“The Department has noticed an increase in the number of bicycles affixed to public property including, but not limited to, traffic signs and parking meters throughout the City….These bicycles are an eyesore, a potential public safety hazard and a constant source of complaints from residents, community groups and elected officials,” Liguori said in her testimony. “The proposed rule also allows for an exception for “Ghost riders.” Just to be clear, under the proposed rule only a memorial bicycle that falls within the derelict bicycle criteria outlined above could be removed. In the event that a ghost rider is derelict and is affixed to public property, a notice shall be affixed to the derelict ghost rider advising the owner that such derelict ghost rider must be removed within thirty days – as opposed to the normal five days for other bicycles – from the date of the notice.”
Transportation Alternatives, a New York City-based bicycle advocacy organization also provided testimony, commending the NYDS on their efforts to remove derelict bicycles from public spaces while simultaneously voicing opposition to the inclusion of Ghost Bikes in this rule.
“Transportation Alternatives does not support DSNY’s inclusion of “Ghost Riders [sic],” or Ghost Bikes, in this policy,” said Caroline Samponaro, Director of Bicycle Advocacy for Transportation Alternatives. “In cities around the world, Ghost Bikes are installed by cyclists, victim’s families and concerned citizens, as a public monument at a location where a cyclist has been killed. To the friends and family of deceased cyclists, these white painted bikes are memorials of remembrance and reflection. To the public, these bikes serve as a newsflash as to the often unseen dangers faced by cyclists in any given community.”
Assemblyman Joe Lentol also voiced his opposition, and has written to both Mayor Bloomberg and to Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty expressing his strong opposition to the new rules.
“I have heard many times how important the ghost bikes are to the families and friends of those who have died. Serving as a memorial and reminder that can be easily accessed within city limits, these ghost bikes are practically sacred to many,” Lentol said. ““I believe that the ghost bikes not only memorialize lives, they save lives too.”