Elizabeth Padilla

Liz Padilla was killed June 9, 2005 in Park Slope. One member of Visual Resistance, the art collective that originally installed ghost bikes, came across the scene during his morning bike commute. Liz’s was the first ghost bike installed in New York City. A few weeks later, her sister wrote to Visual Resistance to thank them for putting up the memorial. She recently reflected on those words and told us:

"This past weekend we traveled to Brooklyn to collect Liz's things and mourn, again, together, at the site of the Ghost Bike memorial for Liz. What a beautiful and heartbreaking tribute to my sister. While words cannot adequately convey the depth of our loss, I believe the Ghost Bike Project makes a difference by providing a powerful visual image of a life taken from us senselessly and also by revealing our sadness publicly; in the hope that others - cyclists, pedestrians, and most importantly, drivers, will help prevent these accidents from happening again. I watched as strangers walked slowly by Liz's ghost bike, stopping to read my sister's name, and reflect upon a life that they did not know. Flowers and notes were left by those who knew Liz and others who did not. Thank you so much for taking such care and demonstrating this kindness to a woman, and countless others, that you did not know.

It is shameful that the authorities in New York, including the Mayor, have responded to these tragedies in such a heartless way. We will never 'get over' these losses. They represent not only loss to their families but to all who knew them."