Corner of Kőbányai and Horog
Corner of Kőbányai and Horog
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Age: 21
Location:
Budapest
Hungary
Ghost bike installed: April, 25 2008
On April 24 a cyclist was killed by a truck taking a right turn in the 10th district of Budapest. The cyclist was riding in the designated bike lane of one of the busy thoroughfares of Budapest called Kőbányai út. Although the bike lane is separated from the main road, it is in a very poor condition: the pavement marks are almost completely gone. The rider was a 21 year old young man.
The past seems to be haunting us... In October 2007 the same thing happened not very far away from the very same spot. Back then, too a cyclist fell victim to a badly designed bike path.
The ghostbike was mounted one day after the accident, on the last Friday of the month. This is the day when the so-called small - monthly - Critical Mass rides take place in Budapest. This Friday was different.
On April 25, about 100 people gathered on Heroes’ Square where a bike was painted white. Then the group rode on bicycle paths and lanes to the spot of the accident at the intersection of Kőbányai út and Horog utca where the memorial bike was installed. On the way to the spot, the group also paid its respect to another ghost bike on Stefánia út. At the memorial bike, the leftover paint was used to paint back the signs that mark the bicycle path on the road. The ceremony was concluded with a solemn bike-lift. The ceremony was attended by some of the classmates and friends of the cyclist as well as one of his teachers.
The following note was attached to the memorial bike:
“What is this white bicycle?
Commemoration, warning.
On April 24, 2008 a cyclist was killed in this intersection. He was riding in the bike path when he was hit by a truck taking a right turn.
We would like to call everybody’s attention to the fact that besides cycling being an obviously positive thing nobody should forget about its dangers. These are not greater than at other times, but you need to know that you are the weak one.
When you get around in traffic, it is better to think for other and pay better attention. You might lose out because of badly designed roads, the lack of maintenance or other people’s recklessness.
Buy lights and a helmet and look around one more time so that you can proudly tell others: you are faster, fitter and more environmentally friendly.
So that we don’t need to install another one of these bicycles …”
We don’t want to deter anyone from biking in the city, as this is one of the best things in the world. But you need to know that you are the weaker, you have to take care of yourself! Bicycle paths often give you a false illusion – don’t let it confuse you! This is what we would like to call attention to.
Video about the event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo79x4RHKH4
Source and pictures:
http://criticalmass.hu/blogbejegyzes/20080424/rendhagyo-utolso-pentek-ghostbike-allitas-kobanyai-uton
http://vicblogja.blogspot.com/2008/04/minimalmass-rendhagy-mdon.html
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Age: 21
Location:
Budapest
Hungary
Ghost bike installed: April, 25 2008
On April 24 a cyclist was killed by a truck taking a right turn in the 10th district of Budapest. The cyclist was riding in the designated bike lane of one of the busy thoroughfares of Budapest called Kőbányai út. Although the bike lane is separated from the main road, it is in a very poor condition: the pavement marks are almost completely gone. The rider was a 21 year old young man.
The past seems to be haunting us... In October 2007 the same thing happened not very far away from the very same spot. Back then, too a cyclist fell victim to a badly designed bike path.
The ghostbike was mounted one day after the accident, on the last Friday of the month. This is the day when the so-called small - monthly - Critical Mass rides take place in Budapest. This Friday was different.
On April 25, about 100 people gathered on Heroes’ Square where a bike was painted white. Then the group rode on bicycle paths and lanes to the spot of the accident at the intersection of Kőbányai út and Horog utca where the memorial bike was installed. On the way to the spot, the group also paid its respect to another ghost bike on Stefánia út. At the memorial bike, the leftover paint was used to paint back the signs that mark the bicycle path on the road. The ceremony was concluded with a solemn bike-lift. The ceremony was attended by some of the classmates and friends of the cyclist as well as one of his teachers.
The following note was attached to the memorial bike:
“What is this white bicycle?
Commemoration, warning.
On April 24, 2008 a cyclist was killed in this intersection. He was riding in the bike path when he was hit by a truck taking a right turn.
We would like to call everybody’s attention to the fact that besides cycling being an obviously positive thing nobody should forget about its dangers. These are not greater than at other times, but you need to know that you are the weak one.
When you get around in traffic, it is better to think for other and pay better attention. You might lose out because of badly designed roads, the lack of maintenance or other people’s recklessness.
Buy lights and a helmet and look around one more time so that you can proudly tell others: you are faster, fitter and more environmentally friendly.
So that we don’t need to install another one of these bicycles …”
We don’t want to deter anyone from biking in the city, as this is one of the best things in the world. But you need to know that you are the weaker, you have to take care of yourself! Bicycle paths often give you a false illusion – don’t let it confuse you! This is what we would like to call attention to.
Video about the event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo79x4RHKH4
Source and pictures:
http://criticalmass.hu/blogbejegyzes/20080424/rendhagyo-utolso-pentek-ghostbike-allitas-kobanyai-uton
http://vicblogja.blogspot.com/2008/04/minimalmass-rendhagy-mdon.html