Ghost bike, recovered by TriMet operator, now returned

Thanks, Jonathan.

Great shot of the motion-blurred heavy truck in the background. Not so subtle reminder.

Nice work. Poor bike looks so forlorn there. By the background, it looks like a nice little neighborhood. A reminder of the big trucks that can get you in unlikely places is important to remember.

I thought the Portland Bike Share program was over. Those were yello stupid.

kudos on how the photo turned out. And the effort and attention paid to getting the bike back.

I appreciate the sentiment of the ghost bikes but I wonder about the families. Do they want this permanent reminder? Maybe after a year someone could ask if the family would like it taken down.

Max Rockbin
I appreciate the sentiment of the ghost bikes but I wonder about the families. Do they want this permanent reminder? Maybe after a year someone could ask if the family would like it taken down.

That’s a good question. I’m all for friends and family of a fallen cyclist creating their own roadside memorial, but when it’s done by bike advocates not personally involved with the victim or loved ones, it seems a bit self-serving.

I’m sure this is an unpopular opinion around these parts. Fully expecting a knee-jerk offended response to this…but again, I’m not opposed to ghost bikes– I just think the concept is a little under-developed.

It is a great shot, Jonathan. As someone who recently lost her sister (1 yr. younger than I. But not by a vehicle accident.) I’m not convinced that a family needs to be constantly reminded visually of a loved one’s death. I know it’s meant to educate the living about road safety but for a local family, they are already reminded of the missing “gap” in their family..nearly daily.

I think they’re eyesores and would rather have a miniature version tacked to a phone poll at eye level that’s not too intrusive for everyone else.

Is there a map showing locations of all the ghost bikes? Mostly I was wondering how many are out there.

Hey Red…For many decades, Chavez was up until about 6 months ago, 39th Ave in SE. Portland.

http://www.ghostbikes.org/ghostbikemap/Portland
Here is a map and more information on ghost bikes for those who are curious-Daniel.

That’s a block from my house. It is a nice neighborhood, with the exception of 39th/Chavez (I use both names until everyone is used to it), which is a cramped, crowded, fast 4-lane street.

I am puzzled by all the people riding their bikes on this street — or more commonly, on the crappy 4-foot wide sidewalk. There aren’t even any businesses worth going to on it, like Hawthorne or some other major streets that cyclists ride on because their destination is somewhere on it.

If you’re looking for a broken street design, 39th/Chavez is one of the worst in inner Portland. I’m surprised that ghost bikes are not lined up along this street.

Total respect, the cars wizz’n by great photo, not to many City’s let one put up these reminders to slow down and watch for life.

People aren’t here permanently, The ghost bikes shouldn’t be here permanently either. There is a proper place for remembering the fallen.
Perhaps we could build a memorial dedicated to fallen cyclists. Something that could have things added in an appropriate manner, ceramic plaques, or ??