Ghost bikes
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ghost bikes
Hi there.
I am a doctoral student in art history and material culture studies. Right now, I’m writing a paper (that might grow into a journal article or even my dissertation!) about examining ghost bikes as votive objects.
If you have participated in setting up a ghost bike, have strong feelings about ghost bikes or have otherwise engaged with ghost bikes, please get in touch with me. I’d love to interview you either in person or via Skype.
Thanks so much.
I am a doctoral student in art history and material culture studies. Right now, I’m writing a paper (that might grow into a journal article or even my dissertation!) about examining ghost bikes as votive objects.
If you have participated in setting up a ghost bike, have strong feelings about ghost bikes or have otherwise engaged with ghost bikes, please get in touch with me. I’d love to interview you either in person or via Skype.
Thanks so much.
#3
Senior Member
I aways thought that ghost bikes served primarily as a reminder to drivers that a life was ended due to someone's carelessness. Votive? I don't think so...
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 64
Bikes: Jamis Coda, Trek 950 Single Track
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't know if they are so much a votive offering to the gods as they are a local marker for the tragedy that occurred...sort of like a tombstone with a message. But at the same time it is more artistic and more poetic than a typical headstone and it is usually at the place of the accident (or at least a location is picked that was favored by the victim) so it becomes more of a tribute than an offering.
A friend and I were riding across the Lamar foot bridge here and we saw one and immediately stopped and payed our respects. He took some pictures and we talked a bit about bike safety. Then we rode on. The only thing missing was a prayer. It was very solemn.
A friend and I were riding across the Lamar foot bridge here and we saw one and immediately stopped and payed our respects. He took some pictures and we talked a bit about bike safety. Then we rode on. The only thing missing was a prayer. It was very solemn.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Up
Posts: 4,695
Bikes: Masi, Giant TCR, Eisentraut (retired), Jamis Aurora Elite, Zullo, Cannondale, 84 & 93 Stumpjumpers, Waterford, Tern D8, Bianchi, Gunner Roadie, Serotta, Serotta Duette, was gifted a Diamond Back
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 305 Post(s)
Liked 2,038 Times
in
604 Posts
'Bicycling Times' just had an article on ghost bikes. Look into that to find some locations. Some cities remove them as soon as they are displayed.
#6
Every lane is a bike lane
The main objectives of ghost bikes seem to be to discourage cyclists from riding on the road, and to encourage traffic authorities to ban cyclists from riding on the roads, by sharing stories of death and destruction. These seem to be the objectives of cycling "advocates" everywhere.
__________________
I am clinically insane. I am proud of it.
That is all.
I am clinically insane. I am proud of it.
That is all.