DDOT removes ghost bike, adds signs as a slight mea culpa

Summer is "officially" over so I guess I'd better get back to crackin', eh?

So. Alice Swanson, the young woman in a fatal accident in Dupont Circle last July, and the only cyclist as the source of dedication by Ghost Bike in DC, was brutally disrespected at the end of August when the city removed her memorial.

Swanson's roommate, Anna Shoup, told Washington City Paper the memorial was removed because area businesses had received complaints. The order came from the city, was carried out by Public Works, and the bike was dumped at Cosi. The family was not notified that the memorial would be removed.

TheWashCycle has a great post detailing the importance of both the 2008 incident, traffic safety (for example, if you make a right turn you must turn from the bike lane), and inaction following Swanson's death.

why.i.hate.dc posted a photograph of new traffic safety signs installed by DDOT. Dave Stroup writes, "I hope it may help remind drivers to respect the bicycle lane." He calls the signs a "moderate victory," and while I don't want to disagree...

Maybe the signs would be more effective with the ghost bike, a release of documents (at least to Swanson's family!), and an admittance that the driver was at fault.