Ghost bikes are memorials set up to memorialize bicyclists who were killed in traffic accidents. Locations of ghost bikes in Chicago can be viewed here. Recently I spoke with Chicago Ghost Bikes organizer Howard Kaplan about the program.

DG: Do you think the presence of ghost bikes has helped to raise awareness of the problem of traffic fatalities, among bicyclists?

HK: The first ghost bike was placed in Chicago in January of 2006, so it's hard to see from this report if there's been any effect. Off the top of my head I'd say a bad year is six fatalities in the city of Chicago. 2006 was a bad year, 2007 and 2008 were steadily better, and 2009 was looking great until the very end of the year when there were several fatalities in short succession. Active Transportation Alliance has crash reports on their website.

DG: Who came up with the ghost bikes idea, and are there other ghost bike programs in other cities?

HK: Patrick Van der Tuin at Saint Louis BicycleWORKS came up with the idea. He started by putting up mangled bikes as memorials, and then people started to paint bikes white. Besides St. Louis and Chicago, ghost bike programs have spread to many other cities around the world -- in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Australia.

DG: What can you tell me about the upcoming Chicago Ride of Silence?

HK: It's an organized annual cycling procession honoring those that have been injured or killed. It's happening on Wednesday, May 19, starting at 7 p.m., and it's starting at the Eternal Flame at the Dalley Plaza. 

DG: What do you find important and meaningful about the Chicago cycling community?

HK: I draw power from being part of a community. You should become part of something bigger when you get on a bicycle, you become part of a family. It's good to know that people are looking out and caring for you.

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