Ghost bikes – Yes, the city should limit them

I hate passing them, every time we are in the city. The driving is horrible, 90 minutes into the hospital for regular cancer tests. Then we have to pass Dussault's memorial, as well. Then there are people passing us, speeding to some important meeting or appointment.

It is a bad corner, no question. Lots of traffic. They are ubiquitous. They are terrible reminders of death and dying. This doesn't celebrate where they lived well, but where they died.
Yes, limit them to being there for only one year, if people must place them at all. To decorate them with flags, pumpkins, mini Christmas tree? No.

 Ridiculous distractions. People shouldn't need a memorial to remind fellow cyclists to cycle safely. Drivers should slow down, check blind spots, but they don't and won't, unless it is a good habit. The garbage truck ran into poor Dussault. Cyclists have to drive with utmost caution. It's win-lose, for sure.

 Egan: Should city limit roadside memorials, ghost bikes?

COLUMNISTS MAR 5

In life, Meg Dussault was well-loved and, in death, expressively remembered – with spokes and wheels, ribbon and a rosary, with a small tree, a planter, a photograph, an ice sculpture.

Op-Ed: Ottawa won't pay for bike safety

LOCAL NEWS MAY 16, 2014

Her name was Danielle Naçu. On Tuesday October 11, 2011, she was doored on Queen Street. She was knocked into oncoming traffic, was struck and died. Thursday morning, another cyclist was doored, this time on Somerset Street. The cyclist suffered serious, yet relatively minor injuries. It is dark irony that Thursday's dooring came a day after the city celebrated the one-millionth trip along the Laurier bike lanes.

Cyclist killed in fundraiser ride identified as hospital official, 40

LOCAL NEWS SEP 8, 2014

Laurie Strano was engaged to be married and in the best condition of her life when she died in a tragic accident during this year’s Ride the Rideau fundraising event for cancer research.

38-year-old cyclist Mario Théoret

Ghost bike honours cyclist killed at busy intersection

By CTV Ottawa @ctvottawa

Another ghost bike has been set up in the Capital to solemnly mark the intersection where a cyclist lost his life. Friends and members of the cycling community placed the bike at West Hunt Club and...

1. 1. Ghost bike has appeared at spot where cyclist 27 yr old Krista Johnson was killed last week. #Ottawa #cbcott

      
      

      
2. Ottawa News ‏@OttawaTopNews  3 Oct 2012

   Kelly Egan: Across sea of asphalt, ghost bike reminds us a life was lost: Here died David Tyler Br... http://bit.ly/Vj79uw  #Ottawa #News