Back in late 2008 when I started this blog, one of my earliest posts was about the arrival of London's first ghost bike. It was installed in the memory of Caleb Losier. I could have sworn that first ghost bike disappeared for a while, removed by the City or somebody else at some point, I think. A few months I ago I saw a new bike in its place, or my brain malfunctioned and it was the same bike the whole time; I am uncertain.
Anyway, today I noticed that somebody had stolen the bars, stem and front fork. The wheels are somewhat bent, probably from drunk people kicking it or something. That I can understand. Drunk people do dumb and destructive stuff, or so I have heard. But removing the bars and fork from a ghost bike requires some tools and deep lack of respect for just about everything or a staggeringly special brand of stupidity. I mean, the bike has stuff written on it and sentimental items attached to it. Who the hell would want that stuff after it was painted white anyway?
I am at a loss for words. How Low Can You Go?
R A N T W I C K 
10 comments:
As much as I don't agree with roadside shrines I have to wonder too who would be suffering for bike parts that much to have to grab them from a ghost bike. If something happens to me on the road I want it known that I want no shrine or ghost bike. This is a good forum to get my message out to your millions of readers.
Sometimes I really wonder about the human race :(
Rollz - I'm with you; no shrine please. If I ever learn your identity I will make sure you wishes are known; my millions of readers can't be trusted. Better yet, just don't get squished.
In the spirit of Ghost Bikes...
http://vimeo.com/12294945
1: Certain people can go pretty damn low. Nearly everyone can take a pretty nasty dip from time to time. Others dwell in the depths, surfacing only to strike. Identifying and neutralizing them is a challenge to our species, as is the control of the shabby impulses even habitual high fliers experience.
When I lived car free, just out of college, I said that if anyone killed me with their car I wanted to be left there like any road-killed animal to rot in full view. My family said they wouldn't agree to that. Too bad. It would be the starkest reminder to the road users of the consequences of negligence or malice.
That's very low, crappy low! Who would do such a thing? I wonder if it was a drunk who did that :(
Peace :)
That bike really helped us with our grieving process. We'll put up all the damn shrines we want and keep putting them up. I don't give a crap if you don't want them there. Tip of the day: "Don't get squished". Gee I wish Caleb had thought of that... ass.
Anon 12:12 - I don't know if you'll ever be back, but I have no problem with Caleb's ghost bike and never have... just because I don't want one if I die that way does not make me some sort of disrespectful ass, and I resent your comment.
Check out my original post if you ever read this:
http://rantwick.blogspot.com/2008/11/ghost-bikes-come-to-london.html
Hello,
I'd just like to leave a note. I'm sure everyone has their reasons for 'shrines' and what not.
The reason for our 'shrine' is to make aware to other drivers to watch the road -- there are bicyclists that share it...
Sure, Shit does happen, and some people don't want stuff put up. We did not have a burial, and our 'memorial' place is about a 4 hour drive from here. It's just nice to think that maybe... just maybe someone will be more carefull when they see this. They might read up -- or know what a ghost bike is... and then will perhaps be more carefull on the road.
This bike was taken down last year, around the time the tanker driver returned to work. Upon the first anniversary, we threw another one back up. This time we all signed it, and some of us left a little something. We just think it's a good thing...
But each have their own opinion :)
I thank you for noticing it's significance. Unfortunatelly, shit still happens.
As bad as this sounds - I kinda laughed when my brother told me about this. I just remembered all the times drunk Caleb came home with some kind of lawn ornament... hahaha -- Oh do I ever miss him :P
:)
-- The lovely Sister
Matsurika - Thanks very much for commenting, and confiirming for me that the bike did go and come back again.
"It's just nice to think that maybe... just maybe someone will be more carefull when they see this."
I agree, bigtime, and there's no wrong way to grieve or remember. Thanks again for your note.
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