How To
Ghost Bike memorials are very easy to create and require only simple supplies available at any hardware store. Groups in different cities use slightly different techniques, so you should certainly feel free to adapt to your own needs, skills, and situation. We try to salvage as much material as possible, paying only for paint, a lock, and a chain, with a total cost of about $20 per memorial.
Bikes: We usually get free “junk” bikes from bike repair shops or friends’ basements. We strip each bike of non-essential parts (cables, grips, brakes) and recycle them; this makes it easier to paint and also less attractive to thieves.
Painting: There is a very detailed guide to painting bikes at WikiHow, but the basics are:
- Degrease & clean the bike before painting;
- Apply 1 coat of primer (2 coats on tires, seat, and any rusty areas);
- Apply 1 to 2 coats of flat white spray paint evenly from all angles;
- Let dry for 24 hours before handling or installing.
Safety note: spray paint is toxic. Wear a mask and gloves and never use spray paint indoors. Always use name-brand, waterproof, rustproof paint.
Plaques: Most groups use stencils to create plaques. Painting by hand, silkscreening, and other printing techniques all work just as well. Most hardware or art supply stores sell pre-cut stencil letters. There is a detailed guide to making stencils at Visual Resistance.
Installing: In New York City, street signs are on nearly every corner and make a perfect location for installing plaques. Signage varies from city to city, so you may need to alter the following for your particular circumstances.
Standard-issue sign poles have pre-drilled 3/8” holes spaced 1 inch apart. We bolt the plaques into place using ¼” bolts and nuts, then bend the bolts or mar the threading with vice grips. Bending or otherwise damaging the bolts makes them harder to remove.
We lock the bike in place just as if it was a functioning bike. Keep in mind that if you ride or wheel the bike to its destination you are likely to wear the paint of its tires; it’s better to carry it.
Ghost Bike memorials are very easy to create and require only simple supplies available at any hardware store. Groups in different cities use slightly different techniques, so you should certainly feel free to adapt to your own needs, skills, and situation. We try to salvage as much material as possible, paying only for paint, a lock, and a chain, with a total cost of about $20 per memorial.
Bikes: We usually get free “junk” bikes from bike repair shops or friends’ basements. We strip each bike of non-essential parts (cables, grips, brakes) and recycle them; this makes it easier to paint and also less attractive to thieves.
Painting: There is a very detailed guide to painting bikes at WikiHow, but the basics are:
- Degrease & clean the bike before painting;
- Apply 1 coat of primer (2 coats on tires, seat, and any rusty areas);
- Apply 1 to 2 coats of flat white spray paint evenly from all angles;
- Let dry for 24 hours before handling or installing.
Safety note: spray paint is toxic. Wear a mask and gloves and never use spray paint indoors. Always use name-brand, waterproof, rustproof paint.
Plaques: Most groups use stencils to create plaques. Painting by hand, silkscreening, and other printing techniques all work just as well. Most hardware or art supply stores sell pre-cut stencil letters. There is a detailed guide to making stencils at Visual Resistance.
Installing: In New York City, street signs are on nearly every corner and make a perfect location for installing plaques. Signage varies from city to city, so you may need to alter the following for your particular circumstances.
Standard-issue sign poles have pre-drilled 3/8” holes spaced 1 inch apart. We bolt the plaques into place using ¼” bolts and nuts, then bend the bolts or mar the threading with vice grips. Bending or otherwise damaging the bolts makes them harder to remove.
We lock the bike in place just as if it was a functioning bike. Keep in mind that if you ride or wheel the bike to its destination you are likely to wear the paint of its tires; it’s better to carry it.