1 Oct 2008, 11:09pm

Press Release

Ghost Bike Memorial Ride to Honor Fallen Bicyclists

Minneapolis / St.Paul-October 2008 - This Saturday, the bicycle community will come together to honor the memory of cyclists who have been killed in recent accidents on Twin Cities streets.  A memorial ride will visit the sites of three of the most recent crashes, where “Ghost Bikes” have been placed as a memorial to the victims. For more info on Ghost Bikes please visit http://www.ghostbikempls.org .
Family, friends and cyclists are invited to participate in this group ride.  Organizers are asking that participating cyclists please wear a black shirt with orange ribbon around their arm or handlebars.  Ribbon will be provided for those who need it.
What: Memorial Ride to Honor Fallen Bicyclists
13.6 miles for Twin Cities route (http://www.bikemap.net/route/89109)
14.3 miles extra for Blaine route (http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2304032)
Where: Meet on the traffic island at Summit and Snelling Avenues in St.Paul
When: This Saturday, October 4th, 2008.  The ride will meet at 10:30 am; depart 11:00 am
Contact: ghostbikempls@gmail.com or 612-276-1008
The ride will begin at Summit and Snelling Avenues near the ghost bike memorial for Virginia Heuer Bower. It will then head west down Lake Street to Excelsior and West 32nd Street, the ghost bike memorial for Jimmy Nisser. The ride will then head back up Excelsior/Lake, then northeast on Hennepin to the ghost bike memorial for Nik Morton.

There is an unrelated “group photo” event at 3pm at Gold Medal Park (the red square on the bikemap) and participants are welcome to continue on to be part of the “Unite Bike” group photograph:  http://www.unitebike.com/

In the afternoon, another ride will head to Blaine in order to place a Ghost Bike at Central and Cloverleaf, where cyclist Dale Aanenson was killed.

Riders are expected to be orderly and respectful of traffic. If you are riding recklessly, you will be asked to leave.

More discussion on the memorial ride can be found on the community message board Minneapolis Bike Love: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=9557&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
Information about the victims of these tragedies can be found here:

Virginia M. Heuer - http://www.legacy.com/StarTribune/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=118137017

Nik Morton - http://www.legacy.com/startribune/obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=118097033

Jimmy Nisser  - http://www.legacy.com/StarTribune/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=117453438

I wish I could make it, but have a volunteer commitment that morning… just wanted to say I think this ride is a wonderful idea and a real tribute to the lives of these cyclists. Thank you for organizing it and honoring their memories. I will be with you all in spirit.

2 Oct 2008, 12:50pm
by evil chuck


Great idea. I will definitely be attending, as who knows when some will be attending my own.

2 Oct 2008, 12:54pm
by Lucille


You know,I’ll be at the ride and this is an awesome, awesome idea. A co-worker of mine witnessed the accident on Summit, and told me that she jogged the same route the following night and thought the ghost bike was eerie, surreal and totally appropriate. Thanks to those who left it.

So today, as I traveled to St. Francis Hospital, I saw a child’s ghost bike in Shakopee, just south of US169 on Marschall Road/Hwy 17.

What’s the story on that one?

That bike is for Nick Hagadorn, 11, who was struck by a drunk driver 7/7/08 and died three days later.
Here is a link to an article:
http://wcco.com/crime/nicholas.hagadorn.bicycle.2.768746.html

To the people who gave us peace,When Nick passed away, we couldn’t bear the thought of passing the scene every day for the rest of our lives and considered moving. It was good-hearted souls like yourselves who made the decision for us.Instead of seeing that horrible day every time we passed the intersection, we seen flower’s, a beautiful poster, and that bike.I was immediately comforted by the fact someone cared and remembered my boy.How could we leave a place that Nicky loved so much and apparently loved him right back.I can’t express how greatful and moved I am by what you did for me and my family.

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