The Chainlink

Father of Ghost Bike victim wants daughters bike removed, still there though.

Damen/Wellington- Her Dad says enough is enough and wants her name and bike removed. Tired of the reminder. What can we do? The city won't do it and no one from ATA or chainlink will do it- do we remain selfish and leave it up for our own purposes or honor the family's wishes? Most cyclists I talk to say 1 year on the street is enough time.
Discuss.

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I agree that Liza Whitacre's memorial is a beautiful tribute. I ride by it often, and I'm always impressed by how well-tended it is, with photographs, notes and flowers growing below it. I didn't know Liza, but the shrine makes it clear what a positive impact she had on the lives of family and friends. It's also a powerful reminder to all of us to travel safely through the city, so that's another way that her life can continue to have a positive influence on others. Unless her family really wants it removed, which doesn't seem to be the case, I hope the memorial remains in place.

I know people who were friends of Liza; they are not ready for it to be removed.

Liza's memory and death continue to deeply effect her friends.

She was also an involved member of Chicago's coffee community.  Every year on the anniversary of her death, a seat is reserved for her at the Intelligentsia on Broadway.  It prominently designates one of the most visible seats in the store as Liza's.

That her colleagues repeatedly provide a prominent memorial testifies powerfully to the life she lived and offers a powerful tool for the education of cyclists and non-cyclists alike.

I don’t have much to add to the discussion; however, I thought it might be nice to include a few pics of this ghost bike for those who are curious. (I know I was, and I went to Google and found these pics…)

I am one of the people who maintains this bike. I put the pumpkins there every year, I throw them away when they are gross, I plant bulbs in the fall, I make sure there isn't trash or dead flowers. I am close with Liza's little sister and her mother and am IMing with Lauren right now. They DO NOT want it taken down.

Mr Whitacre lives in Barrington. It's not a painful reminder to him. He doesn't live in the city. He had a bench installed with a little plaque and when it was put in last year he promised me that he would never move to have the bike taken away. 

I call BS.

It's apparent that you take great care in the maintenance of this memorial, Sue. It's such a great thing you (and others) are doing with these ghost bike installments.

Sue C. said:

I am one of the people who maintains this bike. I put the pumpkins there every year, I throw them away when they are gross, I plant bulbs in the fall, I make sure there isn't trash or dead flowers. I am close with Liza's little sister and her mother and am IMing with Lauren right now. They DO NOT want it taken down.

Mr Whitacre lives in Barrington. It's not a painful reminder to him. He doesn't live in the city. He had a bench installed with a little plaque and when it was put in last year he promised me that he would never move to have the bike taken away. 

I call BS.

thanks! we miss her a lot. It's really important to her sister that the bike stay up. It's where we go to talk to her. 

Thanks, Sue, for maintaining Liza's beautiful bike. I'm another one who passes almost daily and notices the changes and appreciates the reflection pause that it gives me. I hope all the people using the park do also. It's quite a loving tribute. 

I take it that "Austin" has left the room. 

I have mixed feelings about the bike there every time I pass it (to and from work).

It makes me happy to know that she is loved and missed by amazing people but it is a shame that she is no longer with us. Keep up the good work Sue. This is the best maintained ghost bike that I have seen.

not really relevant to the thread, but her birthday was the same day as mine, and I've thought about her on our birthday for the last two years, which is as long as I've known of her bike.  I hope her family knows that people think of them, even people who don't know them.

If I wanted a ghost bike removed I'd just go out and remove it. And that would be that.

Active Transportation Alliance. This is out of their control, though.

Garth Liebhaber said:

what is ATA?

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