Closing Bell: 5th Ave Ghost Bike in Bloom
One of the most wrenching sights in Park Slope is the ghost bike on 5th Avenue and Prospect Place, a memorial for Liz Padilla, the 28-year-old pro bono lawyer who was killed while riding her bicycle nearby in 2005. Sunflowers were recently added to the memorial, most likely because this week marks the third anniversary…
One of the most wrenching sights in Park Slope is the ghost bike on 5th Avenue and Prospect Place, a memorial for Liz Padilla, the 28-year-old pro bono lawyer who was killed while riding her bicycle nearby in 2005. Sunflowers were recently added to the memorial, most likely because this week marks the third anniversary of Padilla’s death. GMAP
What if she was killed outside your home and not a restaurant? Would you still mind if the bike was there indefinitely? Why should a memorial be allowed because of who she was and not for everyone killed by a vehicle? I actually find all the highway memorials distracting and sometimes there are several in a one mile stretch. A bicycle is a bit much other than for a week or month. Put some air in those tires will you.
cmu, that’s a good idea too. I think the white bicycle with the flowers is a beautiful memorial. I’m just wondering if it could have a designated permanent home (if this one is impractical) where it could be maintained and taken care of.
Or we could use that lovely bike rack that brownstoner showed us, painted white, with Padilla’s name on it as a permanent AND useful memorial. It even has a feminine vibe.
http://bstoner.wpengine.com/brownstoner/archives/2008/06/wednesday_links_129.php#comments
The ghost bike IS a touching memorial and an effective reminder to both cyclists and motorists to be aware and careful while sharing the road. But while I don’t consider it an eyesore, per se, I think a better memorial could be erected.
I always envision a bike- maybe a foot long – cast in some sort of clear ghostly resin and bolted to the signpost around eye level. Unfortunately I lack both the know-how and resources to go any further than that, but I think it’d be equally effective while avoiding some of the negatives that were mentioned in previous posts.
Eamus- most of us here are a pretty nice group (well, dammit! WE think so!!)but we have a few trolly types who love to write stuff to rile up everyone.
I think the ghost bike is a very lovely and touching memorial, and in some ways much more meaningful than another plaque. It really pulls you into the reality of her death and still puts it in a context any of us can relate to. She didn’t die of old age, or an illness- she was killed simply going about her day and that holds a universal meaning for all of us.
That said, like cmu and Biff, i think we need not just drivers who abide by the laws, but cyclists who do the same. I’ve been almost run down several times crossing a street- with the light, but a cyclist didn’t want to stop for the light.
And wouldn’t it be great if people were inspired to donate to the Achilles Club in her memory? That’s something I plan to do.
So eamus, what exactly was your solution, Mr. Ironic?
I’m continually astounded by the folks that never learned, “if you’ve got nothing nice to say, keep it to yourself,” and those that never learned, “if you’ve got a problem, come up with the solution.” Happy Friday, all ya miserable misathropes!
cmu, right on. Cycling like a maniac doesn’t help those of us who cycle and don’t cut off cars, endanger other cyclists and pedestrians, etc.
I think the memorial is a touching tribute – perhaps it could be moved to an appropriate permanent location and eventually serve as a tribute to all cyclists who lost their lives.
people who dont want to ride bikes in Bklyn, shouldn’t be in Bklyn.. u might have a better chance riding your bikes on the free and less busy streets of Manhattan!