Taking delivery of three bikes donated by the Palm Springs Police Department is (right-to-left): David Carden, jr., Founder Volunteer Palm Springs and Tim Thomas and Michelle Campbell of PSPD. The bikes will be painted all-white and displayed at locations where there has been a bicycle-vehicle fatal accident as part of VPS’ P.S. Cares bicycle safety and Ghost Bike Project.
What are GHOST BIKES?
Ghost Bikes appear in cities and small towns all over the world and the U.S. and represent a sobering reality that injuries and fatalities of cyclists continue to rise. Most all involve vehicle-bicycle accidents. Many accidents involving injuries are not reported and difficult to track. A fatality becomes the focus of these Ghost Bike installations.
Each Ghost Bike will include a plaque with the words – Cyclist Killed Here – Rest in Peace – framed within a heart. Each installation will be in place for 30 days. No other tributes (candles, balloons, etc.) will be allowed at the site and will be removed. The installation becomes a stark reminder to share the road safely as well as acknowledging the loss of a life.
The bikes which will be painted all-white have been donated by the Palm Springs Police Departments’ unclaimed storage of bikes. PSPD and Office of Sustainability with the City of Palm Springs have partnered with VPS for this project as well as the ‘Blink for Safety’ Bicycle Program.
