Call for ghost bikes to be left alone
The Age
Published: Oct, 6 2011
THEY were erected in memory of cyclists who are forever gone, and a
push is under way to have Melbourne's ghost bikes spared the same fate.
White-painted bicycles have been left anonymously beside
roads in more than 100 locations across the world over the past decade,
to honour cyclists who were killed and to remind others of the dangers
riders face.
Here ghost bikes have upset some, as authorities have removed most of Melbourne's memorials in response to public complaints.
John Cornish's friend and colleague, Ollie Allan with the ghost bike in Brighton. Photo: Rodger Cummins
But family and friends of victims believe it is time for
ghost bikes - the one in Brighton in memory of John Cornish, who was
killed in July, is believed to be the only one in the state - to be
given greater status and made permanent.
Ollie Allan, a friend and colleague of Mr Cornish, said
he had been told Bayside Council would not remove the ghost bike outside
the Brighton Sea Baths for at least a year, which gave friends and
family time to plan something lasting for the triathlon coach, who was
killed when hit by a van on July 22.
''We'll work with the council when we're ready to make sure there's something permanent there,'' Mr Allan said.
''It's an appropriate spot because it's where every
cyclist goes past whether they're heading down on their Sunday ride or
they're going to Portsea and back. It wouldn't just be a memorial, it
would be a reminder for people to know that they need to be safe on the
roads because it is dangerous. They have to take care of themselves out
there.''
John Gould, who has tracked ghost bikes since his friend,
Russell Myers, was killed when he slid on a road and was hit by a truck
in Mount Eliza in March last year, said ghost bikes were held in high
regard overseas. In the United States memorial rides stop at ghost
bikes, and cyclists hold bikes over their heads as tributes are spoken.
Mr Gould said the memorial erected for Mr Myers stood for
about a year before it was removed. Mornington Peninsula Shire said it
did not remove either the ghost bike left for Mr Myers or one placed in
Mount Eliza for another rider, which was taken down within a fortnight.
Another ghost bike was left in Glenferrie Road in honour
of a cyclist killed last year, but is no longer there. Boroondara
Council said it had no knowledge of the memorial.
Bicycle Network Victoria spokesman Jason den Hollander
questioned whether ghost bikes were an effective way of spreading a
safety message.
''Is it a valid way to remind drivers to look out for
cyclists on the road? I'm not sure distracting drivers is the best way
to do it,'' he said.
VicRoads has no policy to remove the bikes, but said it
had to ensure roadside memorials did not distract drivers, did not
interfere with road signs and were not traffic hazards.
VicRoads
Safer Roads director Julian Lyngcoln said the organisation was obliged
to consider objections from the public, but tried to ‘‘consult with the
family of road trauma victims wherever possible before altering roadside
memorials’’.
‘‘Permanent memorials can be requested through the VicRoads regional manager or project manager for the site,’’ he said.
Police said they had no issues with ghost bikes as long as they were not a distraction or hazard to road users.
Melbourne
bike squad Sergeant Arty Lavos said: ‘‘If it reminds people cycling can
be quite dangerous then it could help some attitudes.’’
Published: Oct, 6 2011
THEY were erected in memory of cyclists who are forever gone, and a
push is under way to have Melbourne's ghost bikes spared the same fate.
White-painted bicycles have been left anonymously beside
roads in more than 100 locations across the world over the past decade,
to honour cyclists who were killed and to remind others of the dangers
riders face.
Here ghost bikes have upset some, as authorities have removed most of Melbourne's memorials in response to public complaints.
John Cornish's friend and colleague, Ollie Allan with the ghost bike in Brighton. Photo: Rodger Cummins
But family and friends of victims believe it is time for
ghost bikes - the one in Brighton in memory of John Cornish, who was
killed in July, is believed to be the only one in the state - to be
given greater status and made permanent.
Ollie Allan, a friend and colleague of Mr Cornish, said
he had been told Bayside Council would not remove the ghost bike outside
the Brighton Sea Baths for at least a year, which gave friends and
family time to plan something lasting for the triathlon coach, who was
killed when hit by a van on July 22.
''We'll work with the council when we're ready to make sure there's something permanent there,'' Mr Allan said.
''It's an appropriate spot because it's where every
cyclist goes past whether they're heading down on their Sunday ride or
they're going to Portsea and back. It wouldn't just be a memorial, it
would be a reminder for people to know that they need to be safe on the
roads because it is dangerous. They have to take care of themselves out
there.''
John Gould, who has tracked ghost bikes since his friend,
Russell Myers, was killed when he slid on a road and was hit by a truck
in Mount Eliza in March last year, said ghost bikes were held in high
regard overseas. In the United States memorial rides stop at ghost
bikes, and cyclists hold bikes over their heads as tributes are spoken.
Mr Gould said the memorial erected for Mr Myers stood for
about a year before it was removed. Mornington Peninsula Shire said it
did not remove either the ghost bike left for Mr Myers or one placed in
Mount Eliza for another rider, which was taken down within a fortnight.
Another ghost bike was left in Glenferrie Road in honour
of a cyclist killed last year, but is no longer there. Boroondara
Council said it had no knowledge of the memorial.
Bicycle Network Victoria spokesman Jason den Hollander
questioned whether ghost bikes were an effective way of spreading a
safety message.
''Is it a valid way to remind drivers to look out for
cyclists on the road? I'm not sure distracting drivers is the best way
to do it,'' he said.
VicRoads has no policy to remove the bikes, but said it
had to ensure roadside memorials did not distract drivers, did not
interfere with road signs and were not traffic hazards.
VicRoads
Safer Roads director Julian Lyngcoln said the organisation was obliged
to consider objections from the public, but tried to ‘‘consult with the
family of road trauma victims wherever possible before altering roadside
memorials’’.
‘‘Permanent memorials can be requested through the VicRoads regional manager or project manager for the site,’’ he said.
Police said they had no issues with ghost bikes as long as they were not a distraction or hazard to road users.
Melbourne
bike squad Sergeant Arty Lavos said: ‘‘If it reminds people cycling can
be quite dangerous then it could help some attitudes.’’