Bicycling in NYC is very dangerous - many experienced bikers I know no longer do it. The congestion and aggravation battling with traffic are reasons enough. But a bicycle is a great way to get around any city and efforts are always being made to improve cycling conditions. Derek Lake, a 23 year old, film school grad, was a huge proponent of biking - he commuted from Brooklyn to Manhattan by bicycle daily. Sadly, he was recently hit and killed on Houston Street - a major cross street in the Village/SOHO, currently under major reconstruction. He was the 3rd to be killed on Houston Street in the last year. I had some reservations about posting this, but I thought this memorial was striking and beautiful - I see it every day (see posted sign here). And, unfortunately, this type of incident is an all too common part of city life and I promised to bring you that.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Derek Lake
Bicycling in NYC is very dangerous - many experienced bikers I know no longer do it. The congestion and aggravation battling with traffic are reasons enough. But a bicycle is a great way to get around any city and efforts are always being made to improve cycling conditions. Derek Lake, a 23 year old, film school grad, was a huge proponent of biking - he commuted from Brooklyn to Manhattan by bicycle daily. Sadly, he was recently hit and killed on Houston Street - a major cross street in the Village/SOHO, currently under major reconstruction. He was the 3rd to be killed on Houston Street in the last year. I had some reservations about posting this, but I thought this memorial was striking and beautiful - I see it every day (see posted sign here). And, unfortunately, this type of incident is an all too common part of city life and I promised to bring you that.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
14 comments:
That accident was pretty terrible for everyone involved. So sad and so sorry! Your photo is an appropriate memorial for your friend.
Very poignant.
I'm glad you decided to post this. What a great photo, story, and way to remember someone. Excellent choice.
A very sad post.
I appreciate your posing this part of life in NYC. There is a reason Critical Mass exists in so many cities. Here in Seattle last year a safety group secretly mounted white bicyles up on corners or up on street signs near where cyclists had been hit. They called themselves Ghost Cycles, and I saw them all over town. Each one just had a sign with a number on it, but represented a particular accident victim. Three years ago when we lived in the SF Bay Area, my husband commuted to work by BART train and bicycle. He was hit by a truck that turned into a driveway in front of him. When I reached the emergency room and saw him strapped to a back board I almost lost it with panic. Then he jokingly said to me with a wan smile, "I'm okay love, I landed on my head." His helmet had broken in half, and he had bumps and bruses and severe whiplash-like symptoms, but amazingly no fractures. His bike didn't make out as well. I'm so sorry for this young cyclist.
-Kim
(Seattle Daily Photo has an updated link: http://seattle-daily-photo.blogspot.com)
God bless. And what a wonderful memorial. Thanks for the post B&L.
I just recently bought a scooter, even more perilous in Atlanta. But I have convictions about relying on a car and expensive gas. So perhaps by continuing to ride a two wheeler it will force people in this commuter city to change their perceptions, and pay attention to people not in cars. Very poignant photo and thoughtful post.
Wonderful post, and a beautiful memorial.
I love to cycle along a fairly busy street and have had a few close calls. To see this white bicycle reminds me to be super vigilant.
Greets to the webmaster of this wonderful site! Keep up the good work. Thanks.
»
Nice idea with this site its better than most of the rubbish I come across.
»
Thank you so much for posting this great picture of the ghost bike. I will remain anonymous in this blog, but it is great to see that it is actually getting out and impacting other bikers....I was as close to the Lake family as my own, i lost a brother, plese be vigilant and very careful. I will be at the ghost bike the 7th if anyone would like to join me.
Lake was a great kid. TKaJ changed my perspective on fan films forever.
Hi, I am trying to get in touch with Derek's family. If anyone has their phone number or mailing address I will greatly appreciate it. Thank you.
Rami- They are listed in the directory for Breesport, NY. Contact is Gary Lake, his father.
Post a Comment