Ghost Bikes — really REI?
12-12-14, 07:50 AM
#1
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Ghost Bikes — really REI?
REI are now carrying Ghost bikes (a division of Germany's Accel who is one of the largest bicycle and fitness companies in the world).
I don't like to over react to things but this one kind of put me off a bit given the meaning of ghost bikes in the U.S.. Is REI (and Chain Reaction) really this tone deaf? This would seem akin to Abercrombie & Fitch selling t-shirts emblazoned with Ready To Be ***** or GM marketing their new DeathTrap economy car.
For years ghost bikes have memorialized and honored those killed by drivers while riding their bicycles on our roads. To dishonor these people by marketing it as a brand (even if the name has a different connotation in Germany) is at best insulting.
I don't like to over react to things but this one kind of put me off a bit given the meaning of ghost bikes in the U.S.. Is REI (and Chain Reaction) really this tone deaf? This would seem akin to Abercrombie & Fitch selling t-shirts emblazoned with Ready To Be ***** or GM marketing their new DeathTrap economy car.
For years ghost bikes have memorialized and honored those killed by drivers while riding their bicycles on our roads. To dishonor these people by marketing it as a brand (even if the name has a different connotation in Germany) is at best insulting.
12-12-14, 08:03 AM
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Maybe they should change the name to geist bike? I'm not so sure that it dishonors the memory of those who died for a company to try to sell (more) bikes.
Last edited by bikemig; 12-12-14 at 08:06 AM.
12-12-14, 08:21 AM
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LOL, OP, you almost had me thinking you were one of those people that gets all butt hurt at the slightest opportunity. Thanks for the morning laugh!
12-12-14, 08:23 AM
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Almost every term, phrase, or even word has a different or objectionable meaning somewhere. The languages are merging... but not in any structured or organized way. Sooner or later all languages will share enough commonality so that everyone will be able to communicate internationally.
I wouldn't take any offence. It is normal for words to have more than one meaning and/or definition.... as in this case.
12-12-14, 08:36 AM
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MEC has been carrying that brand for a couple of years.
12-12-14, 08:40 AM
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Maybe I would feel weird about it if they were all whited out.
12-12-14, 10:43 AM
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I lost a very good friend in a cycling accident and she was memorialized by a ghost bike and more. I miss her dearly. The symbolic power of the white ghost bikes is strong with me and I hope we never have to place another one anywhere.
That said. I could care less about the brand Ghost bikes as long as they aren't 100% white. Then I'd be kinda chuffed.
Also, IMHO it's a stupid name for a bike brand anyway. If that's the best you can do with the name then I think there are probably a lot of other things you don't do very well either.
That said. I could care less about the brand Ghost bikes as long as they aren't 100% white. Then I'd be kinda chuffed.
Also, IMHO it's a stupid name for a bike brand anyway. If that's the best you can do with the name then I think there are probably a lot of other things you don't do very well either.
12-12-14, 11:09 AM
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12-12-14, 11:18 AM
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I wonder if the term "Ghost Bike" has much meaning in the general bike buying population.
Google might be tailoring my search results a bit but quite a few of the top results I get in a search of the term "Ghost Bike" reference Minneapolis. Though I think of Minneapolis as being a relatively safe place to bike, I've seen a number of them. I don't know if groups in other cities are as diligent about placing them as people are here.
Perhaps outside of a few cities and cycling advocates, "Ghost Bike" isn't typically associated with the memorials we think of.
Google might be tailoring my search results a bit but quite a few of the top results I get in a search of the term "Ghost Bike" reference Minneapolis. Though I think of Minneapolis as being a relatively safe place to bike, I've seen a number of them. I don't know if groups in other cities are as diligent about placing them as people are here.
Perhaps outside of a few cities and cycling advocates, "Ghost Bike" isn't typically associated with the memorials we think of.
Last edited by tjspiel; 12-12-14 at 11:22 AM.
12-12-14, 11:27 AM
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The chevy nova never sold well in spanish speaking areas. No va means doesn't go. Nice.
12-12-14, 11:34 AM
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12-12-14, 11:34 AM
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MY reseach shows the Ghost Bike company was stated in 1993 and the first Ghost memorial was used in the early 2000's. So who should have their knickers in a knot. Let's worry about something important.
12-12-14, 01:04 PM
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I lost a very good friend in a cycling accident and she was memorialized by a ghost bike and more. I miss her dearly. The symbolic power of the white ghost bikes is strong with me and I hope we never have to place another one anywhere.
That said. I could care less about the brand Ghost bikes as long as they aren't 100% white. Then I'd be kinda chuffed.
Also, IMHO it's a stupid name for a bike brand anyway. If that's the best you can do with the name then I think there are probably a lot of other things you don't do very well either.
That said. I could care less about the brand Ghost bikes as long as they aren't 100% white. Then I'd be kinda chuffed.
Also, IMHO it's a stupid name for a bike brand anyway. If that's the best you can do with the name then I think there are probably a lot of other things you don't do very well either.
12-12-14, 01:12 PM
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But the memorials came years after the brand name started. Surely people don't expect them to change it.... What if the new name has a meaning for ANOTHER issue?
12-12-14, 06:31 PM
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12-12-14, 07:30 PM
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Chuffed = very pleased.
Is that what you meant?
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12-12-14, 07:48 PM
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According to Wikipedia, the first ghost bike memorial appeared in 2003.
Ghost Bikes, the brand, was founded in 1993.
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12-12-14, 11:12 PM
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12-13-14, 01:15 AM
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People have been voting with their dollars ... their business is expanding.
They aren't new to the market ... they've been around since 1993. Before the white memorial bicycles started appearing.
They aren't new to the market ... they've been around since 1993. Before the white memorial bicycles started appearing.
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12-13-14, 02:27 AM
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My Ghost bike has a yellow coffin shape around the head tube ghost face logo. That little ghost face looks like he is really going for it. I don't think that the German company means any disrespect to anyone. I thought that the ghost thing was a take-off on the usual skulls that are on just about everything you care to name.
The frame is first class.
The frame is first class.