Ghost Ride

By Ramsey Elissa

On June 8th, 2008 two avid cyclists were enjoying a ride on Camp Wisdom Road in Grand Prairie, Texas. It was Sunday morning around 8:20am on a part of the road that has light traffic as it is close to the lake and surrounded by residential neighborhoods. This particular morning Meredith Hatch and Mike Alfaro were struck by a drunk driver and killed instantly. Several things touched me personally and have stuck with me. The first was the memorial ride on Tuesday the gave the family a chance to grieve with folks they knew and strangers they didn’t. Mike’s mom approached every rider and hugged them, thanking them for their attendance. Meredith’s family was also present and additionally thanked everyone for the memorial effort. I did not know either Mike or Meredith, but felt connected to them by the passion we shared.

The second thing that struck me came after the silent memorial ride that Tuesday when I went to the crash site. It was just 2 1/2 days after the accident and there was a Ghost Bike. The bike is a reminder to anyone driving on that street of the events of June 8th. Every time since the accident that I am in the vicinity of Grand Prairie I stop by the Ghost Bike and say a prayer for the riders and all families that have lost a loved one.

Jen Futrell

By Jimmy Flaherty - www.lattitudezine.com

Yesterday was shock—today it’s anger. I take it personally when people in cars run over people on bikes. Around 3:40pm on Tuesday, September 30 2008, Jen Futrell was rear-ended by an inattentive driver on Bardstown Road in Louisville, KY. She died in the hospital on a few days later.

Although I did not know Jen, her death has a significant “oh shit” factor for me as I leave work at 3:30pm and would generally be riding this stretch of road at that time. My sincerest condolences to all her friends, family and community members.

On Thursday, October 2nd a Ghost Bike was chained to a tree near the accident site in Jen’s honor with a gathering of riders, family and friends. As one rider was being memorialized, another was being struck down only blocks away in a hit and run by yet another person too concerned with themselves to look out for their fellow humans.

I am, for lack of a better term, at a loss.

Prisons are not the answer. I don’t think prison is ever the answer for mistakes and bad judgment. Locking someone in a cage should be a last resort for only the most violent and malicious humans. Financial restitution to the families of these individuals who have been harmed or killed seems most appropriate, however impersonal. Informing people that when these kinds of mistakes are made that their pockets will be emptied may have a positive effect on driving habits—and likely the cyclist population as well.

Of course, there are people who would continue undeterred. Most humans have the mindset of, “It isn’t going to happen to me.”

I could be completely wrong. Mine may not be a utopian vision of everyone giving a damn about those they are surrounded by everyday, but it seems like a much better idea than locking more people in cages as many are calling for. As angry as I may get at these careless drivers, I do understand they are people too. Most drivers just don’t understand why there are people on bicycles in the middle of the road or how to interact safely with them. Stronger financial incentives may help.

At the same time, I am well aware than many of these same drivers cannot be reached. They drive cars for a reason, and that reason doesn’t have anything to do with anybody else. They need to be somewhere, and they needed to be there 5 minutes ago no matter what, so get out of the way.

Regardless of this lack of concern some motorists posses coupled with the deaths and injuries inflicted on so many of our fellow riders, we still have to ride. The more we’re out in the streets the more visible the riding community is. Enjoy it while you can because you never know what tomorrow may bring.

Be careful out there everybody. Take some responsability and ride like you mean it.

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