Disrespecting Ghost Bikes...

There is that old saying don't laugh when a hearse goes by...

 

It seems a few people are trying to get a grassroots policy on limiting and taking down ghost bikes.  Disrespectful.

 

http://chicago.everyblock.com/top/

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Permalink Reply by Jenn Wilson on June 29, 2011 at 3:17am
I posted this for this reason.  Especially to notify the people who organize the rides and maintain the memorials.  I think they are so moving and have such a cultural testament.  I live next to "Chi Chi's" memorial and it breaks my heart to see fresh flowers on her birthday and All Souls Day.  I know sometimes Everyblock is a just a few squeaky wheels.
Permalink Reply by Melanie K on June 29, 2011 at 3:23am
I noticed that no one on Everyblock mentioned that the bikes are regularly maintained once each year or that there is a ceremony/ride each year to commemorate them. Of course, you get a bunch of bitchy old neighbors together and the only thing that makes them happy is to complain. I will join the site and make a comment- although I will probably leave out the old bitchy neighbor complaining about everything as I am sure that won't make things any better :)
Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on June 29, 2011 at 4:37am

The ghosts bikes make many auto drivers feel bad/guilty and they don't want to be constantly reminded about the very real consequenses of their inattentive and reckless driving practices while on the public roads.

 

This is simple human behavior here with an urge to "shut us up" and cover up and hide the ugly carnage caused by their selfish need to drive like idiots in their steel protective cages without any thought to those who are not in similarly armored cages and burning massive quantities of petroleum (and half the corn planted in this country.)

Permalink Reply by Liz on June 29, 2011 at 6:43am
I signed up for every block and added a comment.  I don't have time to contact aldermen, but the more people posting in favor of the ghost bikes the better.
Permalink Reply by Joe Willis on June 29, 2011 at 6:59am
I would be more than willing to do monthly maintenance to a ghost bike. If one needs attention let me know.
Permalink Reply by Melanie K on June 29, 2011 at 8:22am

Howard- I will check on the Irving/Lincoln/Damen Ghost Bike for you per the Everyblock post where you mentioned that the family has requested it be removed. I think it may have been removed already, but if not, I should have no problem in taking it down. If it comes to that, what is the best thing to do with the frame/remnants? Recycle it?

***

The mother of the cyclist for which that particular ghost bike on Diversey & Avers was established has responded with her heartfelt and emotional response- I am happy to see that she has responded to the OP on Everyblock and my heart and best wishes go out to her and her family. 

Permalink Reply by Pippy Duchamp on June 29, 2011 at 10:56am

As far as I can tell, the original poster on Everyblock is just a complainy guy who wants to complain about stuff and not actually do anything helpful. As long as its legal to lock a bike to something on the street- as long as its not someone else's property, (not sure how it works with city property) ghost bikes are just more bikes parked on the street and nobody really can say how long they can be parked there. There are plenty of abandoned bikes around and I haven't heard nearly as much discussion about taking those down- the fact is people like this Mr. Complainy-Pants notice some people taking matters into their own hands, and using public space for something the community actually wants and needs, and they feel helpless themselves so they have to bitch. 

Interestingly, I replied when he posted that his daughter had died from a drug overdose, and asked did he have the right then to put a memorial to her on the street? In my opinion, of course he does. And if it helps the community to have a reminder about drug use and the dangers it poses, that would be great. I'm not saying that every person who dies tragically *needs* or can have a public monument. Rather, that we have the right, as a community, to come together and publicly mourn, and also react to something that the consensus is, is a problem. We have that right because we decided we did.

So, it seemed to me that the OP just didn't want to be left out, of the decision making process, or of the public mourning for the dead (in light of his daughter's death). I tried to be helpful and remind him he is not powerless and no one is trying to trample on his rights. Don't know if that makes sense or if it was helpful at all. 

Some people don't like it when other people take initiative, that's all. 

End rant. 

Permalink Reply by Melanie K on June 29, 2011 at 11:39pm
The Lincoln/Damen/Irving Park bike has definitely been removed.

H3N3 said:

Hi Melanie,


TO clarify, the family requested the sign be removed (more than a year ago?) and it was.


Since then pieces of the bike have gone missing. I don't have any special authority over it but it's my personal feeling that what remains is best removed since it gives the naysayers ammo to bitch about "eyesores."  Plus it never should have been locked to a bike rack.

 

I've been downtown all night and vaguely recall a communication (from you?) that the rest of the bike is now confirmed gone? Haven't been through my e-mail/messages yet.

Melanie said:

Howard- I will check on the Irving/Lincoln/Damen Ghost Bike for you per the Everyblock post where you mentioned that the family has requested it be removed. I think it may have been removed already, but if not, I should have no problem in taking it down. If it comes to that, what is the best thing to do with the frame/remnants? Recycle it?

***

The mother of the cyclist for which that particular ghost bike on Diversey & Avers was established has responded with her heartfelt and emotional response- I am happy to see that she has responded to the OP on Everyblock and my heart and best wishes go out to her and her family. 

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on June 30, 2011 at 2:01am
I 1/2 2 wundar wo daz Angie tool B. 2 right like she duz 4 the N tire converse 8 un is 2 much 4 me.
Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on June 30, 2011 at 3:55am

I cannot even read the comments there without feeling compelled to commit a violent crime against some of the posters there; I am going to refrain from posting because I have lost the ability to be civil but I thank all of you who have because there is some horrible shit going on over there.

 

If there is a ghost bike anyone where knows of in need of checking up on or service please let me know and I will get by it.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on June 30, 2011 at 3:56am

I want to find that woman and sign her up for an adult education class in basic english.

 

How in the hell can a full grown adult think that is an acceptable manner in which to communicate?

 

James Baum said:

I 1/2 2 wundar wo daz Angie tool B. 2 right like she duz 4 the N tire converse 8 un is 2 much 4 me.
Permalink Reply by Melanie K on June 30, 2011 at 4:07am

I think we all did what we could to get our opinions across and voices heard.  In retrospect, the majority of the comments show that there is more support to keep the bikes than there are people who want them regulated or removed.  I doubt that Mr. Hicks expected such a heated debate on his little neighborhood pet peeve.  

 

On another note, it also pained me to try to read Angie's text-speak...I agree that she needs to go back to school or at least try to talk like a grown adult, not like some teen-ager with her first cell phone.

 

Not sure who David F. is, but I think he is just the kind of person that loves to get the last word in.

 

Also, I think that the above 3 people are approximately how many supported the OP, which includes the OP himself.  Maybe there were a few others, but not as many as were supportive of Ghost Bikes. 

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