PRESS RELEASE: 2011 Memorial Ride & Walk 03.13.11
NEW YORK CITY STREET MEMORIAL PROJECT
www.ghostbikes.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Caroline Samponaro, Transportation Alternatives.
Leah Todd, New York City Street Memorial Project
March 13, 2011
FAMILIES, FRIENDS HONOR NEW YORKERS KILLED ON NYC STREETS
Sixth Annual Memorial Ride and Walk for Fallen Bicyclists and Pedestrians
What: Memorial Ride and Walk across four boroughs, dedication of thirteen "Ghost Bikes"
When: March 13, 2011 (three times and locations available to the media)
Who: Family members of bicyclists and pedestrians killed in 2010 and 2011, hundreds on bike and foot
Times/Locations:
Memorial for Jasmine Herron
Washington Avenue and Atlantic Avenue, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
4:05 pm
Memorial for Fuen Bai
Delancey Street and Ludlow Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
4:30 pm
2010 Memorial for Unknown Bicyclists and Pedestrians (convergence of all participants)
Brooklyn Borough Hall, Joralemon Street Entrance, Downtown Brooklyn
5:00 pm
Families and friends of New Yorkers killed while bicycling and walking on New York City streets will lead the Sixth Annual Memorial Ride and Walk today, in an event organized by the Street Memorial Project (www.ghostbikes.org). A memorial bicycle ride across four boroughs will visit the 13 white-painted "Ghost Bikes" installed at the scene of bicyclist fatalities. A memorial walk through Greenpoint, Brooklyn will visit the site of the crash that killed Neil Chamberlain in 2010, in honor of all pedestrians killed in 2010. Bicyclists and pedestrians will converge at Brooklyn Borough Hall to dedicate a memorial to all of the unknown victims of traffic crashes in 2010.
According to the New York City Department of Transportation, 151 pedestrians and 18 bicyclists were killed in 2010. In 2009, 156 pedestrians and 12 bicyclists were killed on New York City streets. To date, two bicyclists have been killed in 2011. Participants are demanding the City take stronger measures to reduce traffic fatalities citywide, through necessary improvements to street design, enforcement and education to protect bicyclists and pedestrians.
"Brooklyn has emerged as a hotspot in the bicycling renaissance, and is the location of more Ghost Bikes this year than any other borough," says Leah Todd, a volunteer with the New York City Street Memorial Project. "While public officials here have been slow to endorse safety measures, like amenities to support the wave of new bicyclists or public education campaigns for the most dangerous drivers, we hope this ride and these memorials will draw attention to the costs of ignoring the need for safer streets."
The Street Memorial Project seeks to cultivate a compassionate and supportive community for survivors and friends of those killed on New York City streets, to raise public awareness as a means to prevent future deaths, and to foster mutual respect among all people who share the road.
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NEW YORK CITY STREET MEMORIAL PROJECT
www.ghostbikes.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Caroline Samponaro, Transportation Alternatives.
Leah Todd, New York City Street Memorial Project
March 13, 2011
FAMILIES, FRIENDS HONOR NEW YORKERS KILLED ON NYC STREETS
Sixth Annual Memorial Ride and Walk for Fallen Bicyclists and Pedestrians
What: Memorial Ride and Walk across four boroughs, dedication of thirteen "Ghost Bikes"
When: March 13, 2011 (three times and locations available to the media)
Who: Family members of bicyclists and pedestrians killed in 2010 and 2011, hundreds on bike and foot
Times/Locations:
Memorial for Jasmine Herron
Washington Avenue and Atlantic Avenue, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
4:05 pm
Memorial for Fuen Bai
Delancey Street and Ludlow Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
4:30 pm
2010 Memorial for Unknown Bicyclists and Pedestrians (convergence of all participants)
Brooklyn Borough Hall, Joralemon Street Entrance, Downtown Brooklyn
5:00 pm
Families and friends of New Yorkers killed while bicycling and walking on New York City streets will lead the Sixth Annual Memorial Ride and Walk today, in an event organized by the Street Memorial Project (www.ghostbikes.org). A memorial bicycle ride across four boroughs will visit the 13 white-painted "Ghost Bikes" installed at the scene of bicyclist fatalities. A memorial walk through Greenpoint, Brooklyn will visit the site of the crash that killed Neil Chamberlain in 2010, in honor of all pedestrians killed in 2010. Bicyclists and pedestrians will converge at Brooklyn Borough Hall to dedicate a memorial to all of the unknown victims of traffic crashes in 2010.
According to the New York City Department of Transportation, 151 pedestrians and 18 bicyclists were killed in 2010. In 2009, 156 pedestrians and 12 bicyclists were killed on New York City streets. To date, two bicyclists have been killed in 2011. Participants are demanding the City take stronger measures to reduce traffic fatalities citywide, through necessary improvements to street design, enforcement and education to protect bicyclists and pedestrians.
"Brooklyn has emerged as a hotspot in the bicycling renaissance, and is the location of more Ghost Bikes this year than any other borough," says Leah Todd, a volunteer with the New York City Street Memorial Project. "While public officials here have been slow to endorse safety measures, like amenities to support the wave of new bicyclists or public education campaigns for the most dangerous drivers, we hope this ride and these memorials will draw attention to the costs of ignoring the need for safer streets."
The Street Memorial Project seeks to cultivate a compassionate and supportive community for survivors and friends of those killed on New York City streets, to raise public awareness as a means to prevent future deaths, and to foster mutual respect among all people who share the road.
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