Upcoming Events
Dia de Muertos Ghost Bike Ofrenda
Albuquerque
Dia de Muretos is a very long standing tradition not only in Mexico, but also in New Mexico. This year it has expanded to include a ghost bike ofrenda (alter). Jacobo de la Serna, with a little help from Duke City Wheelmen Foundation, has created this alter. It is really beautiful and really embodies the spirit of this tradition. If you are in Albuquerque, check it out. The pictures do not do it justice.
Each orange card has the name of a cyclists killed in New Mexico since 1989 due to a collision with a motor vehicle.
Hearing on the "Proposed Rules Governing the Removal and Disposal of Derelict Bicycles"
New York City
Please note the change in date and location of this event due to amended proposed rules.
The NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) proposes to adopt a new rule called "Proposed Rules Governing the Removal and Disposal of Derelict Bicycles". This rule would add a new section numbered 1-05.1 of Chapter 1, Title 16 of the Rules of the City of New York.
Although the DSNY has made verbal statements published by the press that they might not remove ghost bikes, the Proposed Rules have not been changed in regards to ghost bikes and state that after 30 days ghost bikes can be removed. We urge you to comment and testify at the August 10th hearing on the Proposed Rules as published.
On page two, section (2) the Proposed Rules state:
"Ghost rider" shall mean a derelict bicycle that has been placed on public property and apparently intended as a memorial for someone who is deceased and which may be painted white or have a sign posted on or near it, or flowers or other mementos in the basket."
Page three states:
"...in the event that a ghost rider is affixed to public property, a notice shall be affixed to the ghost rider advising the owner that such ghost rider must be removed within thirty days from the date of notice. This notice shall also state that the failure to remove such ghost rider within the designated time period will result in the removal and disposal of the ghost rider by the Department of Sanitation."
If you are concerned that NYC Ghost Bikes will be removed after 30 days, please submit your written comments and/or present your comments at the public hearing.
Notice of your intention to testify as well as written comments regarding this proposed rule may be sent to the office of the Deputy Commissioner for Legal Affairs, New York City Department of Sanitation, 125 Worth Street, Room 710, New York, NY 10013.
You can also submit a comment electronically through NYC RULES or by calling 311 on or before August 10, 2010.
You can also send an email directly to the DSNY Commissioner and/or contact the members of the NY City Council Committee on Sanitation.
Here are some suggestions of issues with the rules as proposed to include in your response:
1. Ghost bikes (referred to as "ghost riders" in the document) are defined in the rules as inherently derelict when they are first installed. This means that any ghost bike may be subject to removal. We do not believe that all ghost bikes fall under the criteria that determine derelict bikes, and we strongly oppose removal of all ghost bikes.
2. Several of the derelict bike criteria are vague and unhelpful for determining and/or removing abandoned bikes, and should be further explained or removed.
The first listed characteristic of a derelict bike describes it as "unusable." This description is too vague, as it does not explain what the bike might be used for and what makes it unable to be used. Additionally, the ghost bikes are used as functioning memorials, so we wish that this characteristic not be applied to any ghost bikes.
The second characteristic states that a derelict bike may be missing parts. It specifies some parts with the exception of the seatpost, saddle, and front wheel, which may be
removed by a rider for security reasons, but does not include a comprehensive list of parts. Given that some ghost bikes are stripped of unnecessary parts, we wish that the rules more specifically describe exactly which parts must be missing to categorize a bike as derelict, and whether the bike must be missing merely one part, or several.
The third characteristic specifies that a derelict bike may have flat or missing tires. Though many ghost bikes have flat tires, this does not make them an eyesore or a public hazard. Additionally, a completely functioning bike is equally at risk of being locked up with flat tires, due to vandalism, road debris, an unexpected slow leak, or other common bike commuting hazards. We wish that the rules be modified to remove the criterium of flat tires.
3. If ghost bikes are their own category, given that they are removed after a time period of 30 days rather than five, they should have their own criteria to determine which ghost bikes would be considered derelict.
4. The City should create a public database or set up a notification procedure so that interested groups can easily track if any bikes are slated for removal and respond appropriately. A public database would also help bike owners who have left their bikes locked outside and are not able to retrieve them in the five day period to coordinate a way to get their bikes.
5. The rules as proposed do not include an appeals process if any person wishes to challenge a bike's designation as derelict. The City should create and implement a policy that would allow interested parties to repair a bike determined to be derelict or challenge this designation if it is inappropriately assigned. Additionally, when a bike is tagged for removal, the City should include a document that specifies which criteria the bike has fulfilled to be designated as derelict.
6. You may wish to include in your response the value you see in ghost bikes and other street memorials, as well as any personal stories of your experiences with these memorials.
For related news articles see:
http://www.ghostbikes.org/press/sanitation-department-wants-remove-eyesore-bike-death-memorials
Expocision Fotografica Bicicleta Blanca
Guadalajara
Expocision Fotografica Bicicleta Blanca, esta expo sera durante las
actividades de el Bici mes , en el cafe "el colectivo" López Cotilla
1939 casi esq. Luis Pérez Verdía
Guadalajara, Mexico 16 DE JULIO AL
15 DE AGOSTO 2010
For more information, see Bicicleta Blanca's Facebook page
Memorial Ride celebrating the lives of Erik Fitzpatrick & Pete Webster
Oakland
On
Sunday, June 13, Walk Oakland Bike Oakland will lead a Memorial Bike
Ride to honor two Oakland residents who were recently killed while
riding their bicycles.
The ride will begin at the corner of
Market Street and 52nd Street, where Peter Webster was fatally struck by
a driver crossing Market Street on April 30th. The ride will end at
the corner of MacArthur Boulevard and Patterson Street, where on May 19
Erik Fitzpatrick was fatally struck by a bus after a driver opened his
door in Fitzpatrick’s path. Participants will place a “ghost bike” at
the site of Fitzpatrick’s death to commemorate his life and remind our
community of the need to make our city streets safe for everyone.
The
ride will follow established bike routes and can be found online at:
www.wobo.org
Participants should expect to comply with traffic
laws. This event is free and open to the public.
Ride of Silence
THE RIDE OF SILENCE WILL NOT
BE QUIET
On May 19, 2010, at
7:00 PM, the Ride of Silence will
begin
in North America and roll across the globe. Cyclists will take to the
roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or
injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a
legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often
isn't aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists
themselves.
In 2003, Chris Phelan organized
the first Ride Of Silence in
Dallas after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was hit by the mirror of
a passing bus and was killed. (Read the full history here...)
The Ride Of Silence is a free
ride that asks its cyclists to
ride no faster than 12 mph and remain silent during the ride. There is
no brochure, no sponsors and no registration fees. The
ride, which is held during Bike Safety month, aims to raise the
awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a
legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also a chance to show
respect for those who have been killed or injured.
Please check the resources on
this site. If there is a Ride Of
Silence in your area, we encourage you to join them. If there is not a
ride planned in your area, please consider adding your city to the
ever-growing list of sites. To get information on how to organize and
host a Ride of Silence, please click HERE.
Memorial Ride & Ghost Bike dedication for Meg Felice Charlop
New York City
Please join Transportation Alternatives and the Montefiore School
Health Program as we ride in memory of Meg Felice Charlop and dedicate
her ghost bike on Saturday, April 10th.
Meg was killed on
March 17th while riding her bicycle to work in East Tremont in the
Bronx. She devoted her entire life to helping New Yorkers fight for
health, dignity and a better future. She was a respected colleague of
Transportation Alternatives and the Montefiore community for many
years, a devoted mother, and a wonderful, caring woman. She is deeply
missed. Join us as we honor her.
Saturday, April 10th
Bike Ride, 1pm
A
group bike ride will meet in front of the Valentine-Varian House in
Bainbridge Oval Park. The Valentine-Varian House is located on
Bainbridge Ave, between East 208th Street and Van Cortlandt Avenue
East.
The memorial bike ride will follow Meg’s daily bike
commute route and end at the site of her crash at Crotona Avenue and
East Tremont Avenue.
Bike route details: http://bit.ly/c0FYU8
Ghost Bike Dedication, 1:45pm
East Tremont and Crotona Avenues at Meg’s ghost bike.
Flowers
are welcomed and there will be an opportunity at the start of the ride
and at the ghost bike dedication for Meg’s community to share their
memories and words of love.
For information, please contact, bike [at] transalt [dot] org
The 12th Annual Blessing of the Bikes
New York City
Wear your usual cycle clothing and bring your bike (or skates or non-motorized scooter) INSIDE the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine for the 12th Annual Blessing of the Bikes.
Reverend Tom will say a few kind words and then sprinkle the bikes with Holy Water. There is a moment of silence to remember those cyclists we've lost in the past year, a chance for everyone to ring their bicycle bells in celebration of cycling, and we're gone.
All faiths welcome. This is a non-denominational event.
Please note that this event is not organized by the NYC Street Memorial Project. We will be present to read the names of those lost in the past year. For more information about the event, please visit http://theblessingofthebikes.com/.
Concert for Solange Raulston
New York City
On this night we gather to pay homage to a Soul Queen. She was a magnificent being amongst us. If you were in her presence you knew that without a doubt that there was something different in the air. The atmosphere would never be the same, and you would be never be the same if you were in her realm. Some called her Solange, DJ Reverend Soul, friend, sister and many other titles befitting a Goddess of her splendor. So come and be with the people who loved her to go out with a melodious bang, and let's shake the very ground in Brooklyn for "our girl". This is not the end only the beginning of being closer to the light. That is where she is, and on this night we will be closer to her than ever as we lift our voices to the Funky Heaven's, because if Solange is there...it just got good!
Featuring performances by:
Jason Rosen & Last Tribe NYC
Tiffany Pfeiffer & The Discarnate Band
The Mumbles
Yah Supreme & Brohemian
Nevegante
Pimps of Joytime
Dysfunksista & Friends
DJ Stylus & DJ Jesse Mann holding down the FUNK in her honor.
WEDNESDAY, FEB 24
<http://bk.knittingfactory.com/>
*DOORS OPEN: 7pm
*SHOW STARTS: 8pm (promptly)*
*This is the last benefit concert for Solange, and all the proceeds will be going to the Raulston Family. Thank you for your support.
*TICKETS - $10*
TICKETS AVAILABLE...FOLLOW LINK. IF YOU'RE NOT COMING...THE TICKET PURCHASED WILL BE A DONATION. THANK YOU.
Dia de Muertos Ghost Bike Ofrenda
AlbuquerqueDia de Muretos is a very long standing tradition not only in Mexico, but also in New Mexico. This year it has expanded to include a ghost bike ofrenda (alter). Jacobo de la Serna, with a little help from Duke City Wheelmen Foundation, has created this alter. It is really beautiful and really embodies the spirit of this tradition. If you are in Albuquerque, check it out. The pictures do not do it justice.
Each orange card has the name of a cyclists killed in New Mexico since 1989 due to a collision with a motor vehicle.
Hearing on the "Proposed Rules Governing the Removal and Disposal of Derelict Bicycles"
New York City
Please note the change in date and location of this event due to amended proposed rules.
The NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) proposes to adopt a new rule called "Proposed Rules Governing the Removal and Disposal of Derelict Bicycles". This rule would add a new section numbered 1-05.1 of Chapter 1, Title 16 of the Rules of the City of New York.
Although the DSNY has made verbal statements published by the press that they might not remove ghost bikes, the Proposed Rules have not been changed in regards to ghost bikes and state that after 30 days ghost bikes can be removed. We urge you to comment and testify at the August 10th hearing on the Proposed Rules as published.
On page two, section (2) the Proposed Rules state:
"Ghost rider" shall mean a derelict bicycle that has been placed on public property and apparently intended as a memorial for someone who is deceased and which may be painted white or have a sign posted on or near it, or flowers or other mementos in the basket."
Page three states:
"...in the event that a ghost rider is affixed to public property, a notice shall be affixed to the ghost rider advising the owner that such ghost rider must be removed within thirty days from the date of notice. This notice shall also state that the failure to remove such ghost rider within the designated time period will result in the removal and disposal of the ghost rider by the Department of Sanitation."
If you are concerned that NYC Ghost Bikes will be removed after 30 days, please submit your written comments and/or present your comments at the public hearing.
Notice of your intention to testify as well as written comments regarding this proposed rule may be sent to the office of the Deputy Commissioner for Legal Affairs, New York City Department of Sanitation, 125 Worth Street, Room 710, New York, NY 10013.
You can also submit a comment electronically through NYC RULES or by calling 311 on or before August 10, 2010.
You can also send an email directly to the DSNY Commissioner and/or contact the members of the NY City Council Committee on Sanitation.
Here are some suggestions of issues with the rules as proposed to include in your response:
1. Ghost bikes (referred to as "ghost riders" in the document) are defined in the rules as inherently derelict when they are first installed. This means that any ghost bike may be subject to removal. We do not believe that all ghost bikes fall under the criteria that determine derelict bikes, and we strongly oppose removal of all ghost bikes.
2. Several of the derelict bike criteria are vague and unhelpful for determining and/or removing abandoned bikes, and should be further explained or removed.
The first listed characteristic of a derelict bike describes it as "unusable." This description is too vague, as it does not explain what the bike might be used for and what makes it unable to be used. Additionally, the ghost bikes are used as functioning memorials, so we wish that this characteristic not be applied to any ghost bikes.
The second characteristic states that a derelict bike may be missing parts. It specifies some parts with the exception of the seatpost, saddle, and front wheel, which may be
removed by a rider for security reasons, but does not include a comprehensive list of parts. Given that some ghost bikes are stripped of unnecessary parts, we wish that the rules more specifically describe exactly which parts must be missing to categorize a bike as derelict, and whether the bike must be missing merely one part, or several.
The third characteristic specifies that a derelict bike may have flat or missing tires. Though many ghost bikes have flat tires, this does not make them an eyesore or a public hazard. Additionally, a completely functioning bike is equally at risk of being locked up with flat tires, due to vandalism, road debris, an unexpected slow leak, or other common bike commuting hazards. We wish that the rules be modified to remove the criterium of flat tires.
3. If ghost bikes are their own category, given that they are removed after a time period of 30 days rather than five, they should have their own criteria to determine which ghost bikes would be considered derelict.
4. The City should create a public database or set up a notification procedure so that interested groups can easily track if any bikes are slated for removal and respond appropriately. A public database would also help bike owners who have left their bikes locked outside and are not able to retrieve them in the five day period to coordinate a way to get their bikes.
5. The rules as proposed do not include an appeals process if any person wishes to challenge a bike's designation as derelict. The City should create and implement a policy that would allow interested parties to repair a bike determined to be derelict or challenge this designation if it is inappropriately assigned. Additionally, when a bike is tagged for removal, the City should include a document that specifies which criteria the bike has fulfilled to be designated as derelict.
6. You may wish to include in your response the value you see in ghost bikes and other street memorials, as well as any personal stories of your experiences with these memorials.
For related news articles see:
http://www.ghostbikes.org/press/sanitation-department-wants-remove-eyesore-bike-death-memorials
Expocision Fotografica Bicicleta Blanca
GuadalajaraExpocision Fotografica Bicicleta Blanca, esta expo sera durante las
actividades de el Bici mes , en el cafe "el colectivo" López Cotilla
1939 casi esq. Luis Pérez Verdía
Guadalajara, Mexico 16 DE JULIO AL
15 DE AGOSTO 2010
For more information, see Bicicleta Blanca's Facebook page
Memorial Ride celebrating the lives of Erik Fitzpatrick & Pete Webster
OaklandOn
Sunday, June 13, Walk Oakland Bike Oakland will lead a Memorial Bike
Ride to honor two Oakland residents who were recently killed while
riding their bicycles.
The ride will begin at the corner of
Market Street and 52nd Street, where Peter Webster was fatally struck by
a driver crossing Market Street on April 30th. The ride will end at
the corner of MacArthur Boulevard and Patterson Street, where on May 19
Erik Fitzpatrick was fatally struck by a bus after a driver opened his
door in Fitzpatrick’s path. Participants will place a “ghost bike” at
the site of Fitzpatrick’s death to commemorate his life and remind our
community of the need to make our city streets safe for everyone.
The
ride will follow established bike routes and can be found online at:
www.wobo.org
Participants should expect to comply with traffic
laws. This event is free and open to the public.
Ride of Silence
THE RIDE OF SILENCE WILL NOT
BE QUIET
On May 19, 2010, at
7:00 PM, the Ride of Silence will
begin
in North America and roll across the globe. Cyclists will take to the
roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or
injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a
legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often
isn't aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists
themselves.
In 2003, Chris Phelan organized
the first Ride Of Silence in
Dallas after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was hit by the mirror of
a passing bus and was killed. (Read the full history here...)
The Ride Of Silence is a free
ride that asks its cyclists to
ride no faster than 12 mph and remain silent during the ride. There is
no brochure, no sponsors and no registration fees. The
ride, which is held during Bike Safety month, aims to raise the
awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a
legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also a chance to show
respect for those who have been killed or injured.
Please check the resources on
this site. If there is a Ride Of
Silence in your area, we encourage you to join them. If there is not a
ride planned in your area, please consider adding your city to the
ever-growing list of sites. To get information on how to organize and
host a Ride of Silence, please click HERE.
Memorial Ride & Ghost Bike dedication for Meg Felice Charlop
New York CityPlease join Transportation Alternatives and the Montefiore School
Health Program as we ride in memory of Meg Felice Charlop and dedicate
her ghost bike on Saturday, April 10th.
Meg was killed on
March 17th while riding her bicycle to work in East Tremont in the
Bronx. She devoted her entire life to helping New Yorkers fight for
health, dignity and a better future. She was a respected colleague of
Transportation Alternatives and the Montefiore community for many
years, a devoted mother, and a wonderful, caring woman. She is deeply
missed. Join us as we honor her.
Saturday, April 10th
Bike Ride, 1pm
A
group bike ride will meet in front of the Valentine-Varian House in
Bainbridge Oval Park. The Valentine-Varian House is located on
Bainbridge Ave, between East 208th Street and Van Cortlandt Avenue
East.
The memorial bike ride will follow Meg’s daily bike
commute route and end at the site of her crash at Crotona Avenue and
East Tremont Avenue.
Bike route details: http://bit.ly/c0FYU8
Ghost Bike Dedication, 1:45pm
East Tremont and Crotona Avenues at Meg’s ghost bike.
Flowers
are welcomed and there will be an opportunity at the start of the ride
and at the ghost bike dedication for Meg’s community to share their
memories and words of love.
For information, please contact, bike [at] transalt [dot] org
The 12th Annual Blessing of the Bikes
New York CityWear your usual cycle clothing and bring your bike (or skates or non-motorized scooter) INSIDE the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine for the 12th Annual Blessing of the Bikes.
Reverend Tom will say a few kind words and then sprinkle the bikes with Holy Water. There is a moment of silence to remember those cyclists we've lost in the past year, a chance for everyone to ring their bicycle bells in celebration of cycling, and we're gone.
All faiths welcome. This is a non-denominational event.
Please note that this event is not organized by the NYC Street Memorial Project. We will be present to read the names of those lost in the past year. For more information about the event, please visit http://theblessingofthebikes.com/.
Concert for Solange Raulston
New York CityOn this night we gather to pay homage to a Soul Queen. She was a magnificent being amongst us. If you were in her presence you knew that without a doubt that there was something different in the air. The atmosphere would never be the same, and you would be never be the same if you were in her realm. Some called her Solange, DJ Reverend Soul, friend, sister and many other titles befitting a Goddess of her splendor. So come and be with the people who loved her to go out with a melodious bang, and let's shake the very ground in Brooklyn for "our girl". This is not the end only the beginning of being closer to the light. That is where she is, and on this night we will be closer to her than ever as we lift our voices to the Funky Heaven's, because if Solange is there...it just got good!
Featuring performances by:
Jason Rosen & Last Tribe NYC
Tiffany Pfeiffer & The Discarnate Band
The Mumbles
Yah Supreme & Brohemian
Nevegante
Pimps of Joytime
Dysfunksista & Friends
DJ Stylus & DJ Jesse Mann holding down the FUNK in her honor.
WEDNESDAY, FEB 24
<http://bk.knittingfactory.com/>
*DOORS OPEN: 7pm
*SHOW STARTS: 8pm (promptly)*
*This is the last benefit concert for Solange, and all the proceeds will be going to the Raulston Family. Thank you for your support.
*TICKETS - $10*
TICKETS AVAILABLE...FOLLOW LINK. IF YOU'RE NOT COMING...THE TICKET PURCHASED WILL BE A DONATION. THANK YOU.