Zu Zhang Wong
Zu Zhang Wong
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Age: 27
Location:
Harolds Cross Bridge
Dublin
Ireland
A ghostbike was installed on 14 February 2009 one month after the death of Zu Zhang Wong, killed by a turning lorry at the entrance to the Harold's Cross Bridge.
His death was reported in several newspapers, inspired letters to editors about cyclist safety, and calls for restrictions on lorries
We recieved an email from an organiser of the installation:
On 14 January 2009 Paul / Zu Zhang Wong was killed in a road traffic
collision with a heavy goods vehicle. Paul, a Chinese national living in
Dublin, was cycling to work. He was cycling straight at the junction at
Harold's Cross Bridge and was hit by the cement truck which was turning
left. A Ghostbike was placed at the scene of the collision exactly one month
later. Flowers were left and the following two poems were read.
Going down Hill on a Bicycle
With lifted feet, hands still,
I am poised, and down the hill
Dart, with heedful mind;
The air goes by in a wind.
Swifter and yet more swift,
Till the heart with a mighty lift
Makes the lungs laugh, the throat cry:
'O bird, see; see, bird, I fly.
'Is this, is this your joy?
O bird, then I, though a boy
For a golden moment share
Your feathery life in air!
Say, heart, is there aught like this
In a world that is full of bliss?
'Tis more than skating, bound
Steel-shod to the level ground.
Speed slackens now, I float
Awhile in my airy boat;
Till, when the wheels scarce crawl,
My feet to the treadles fall.
Alas, that the longest hill
Must end in a vale; but still,
Who climbs with toil, wheresoe'er,
Shall find wings waiting there.
Henry Charles Beeching. 1859-1919
A BOY'S SONG
Paul,
You were like me.
Like me, you came from far away to disover the world, learn different
culture, a different language.
Like me, you had great hopes for the future.
Like me, you knew that a Flying Pigeon was the most efficient way to go from
A to B, whatever the weather, whatever the traffic.
I will miss you,
I will miss the pub worker serving me food at lunch, I will miss the guy
next to me watching the latest blockbuster, I will miss the cycling guy in
front of me that day of great wind anlong the canal.
You are still among us.
You are living in your families and friends mind You are living within our
hearts You will be living for everybody passing this monument.
This bike is for you, to continue your journey across the sky.
Thomas Pedoussaut, 14 February 2009.
The publicity surrounding the accident and a similar one in 2008 has led to
a report on cycling fatalities being produced by Dublin City Council with
recommendations on the interaction of cyclists and HGV's (Heavy Goods
Vehicles).
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Age: 27
Location:
Harolds Cross Bridge
Dublin
Ireland
A ghostbike was installed on 14 February 2009 one month after the death of Zu Zhang Wong, killed by a turning lorry at the entrance to the Harold's Cross Bridge.
His death was reported in several newspapers, inspired letters to editors about cyclist safety, and calls for restrictions on lorries
We recieved an email from an organiser of the installation:
On 14 January 2009 Paul / Zu Zhang Wong was killed in a road traffic
collision with a heavy goods vehicle. Paul, a Chinese national living in
Dublin, was cycling to work. He was cycling straight at the junction at
Harold's Cross Bridge and was hit by the cement truck which was turning
left. A Ghostbike was placed at the scene of the collision exactly one month
later. Flowers were left and the following two poems were read.
Going down Hill on a Bicycle
With lifted feet, hands still,
I am poised, and down the hill
Dart, with heedful mind;
The air goes by in a wind.
Swifter and yet more swift,
Till the heart with a mighty lift
Makes the lungs laugh, the throat cry:
'O bird, see; see, bird, I fly.
'Is this, is this your joy?
O bird, then I, though a boy
For a golden moment share
Your feathery life in air!
Say, heart, is there aught like this
In a world that is full of bliss?
'Tis more than skating, bound
Steel-shod to the level ground.
Speed slackens now, I float
Awhile in my airy boat;
Till, when the wheels scarce crawl,
My feet to the treadles fall.
Alas, that the longest hill
Must end in a vale; but still,
Who climbs with toil, wheresoe'er,
Shall find wings waiting there.
Henry Charles Beeching. 1859-1919
A BOY'S SONG
Paul,
You were like me.
Like me, you came from far away to disover the world, learn different
culture, a different language.
Like me, you had great hopes for the future.
Like me, you knew that a Flying Pigeon was the most efficient way to go from
A to B, whatever the weather, whatever the traffic.
I will miss you,
I will miss the pub worker serving me food at lunch, I will miss the guy
next to me watching the latest blockbuster, I will miss the cycling guy in
front of me that day of great wind anlong the canal.
You are still among us.
You are living in your families and friends mind You are living within our
hearts You will be living for everybody passing this monument.
This bike is for you, to continue your journey across the sky.
Thomas Pedoussaut, 14 February 2009.
The publicity surrounding the accident and a similar one in 2008 has led to
a report on cycling fatalities being produced by Dublin City Council with
recommendations on the interaction of cyclists and HGV's (Heavy Goods
Vehicles).