PART 1: When the days turn warm and the open road calls, vehicles must share the road with motorcycles. It’s an interesting dynamic that, without understanding on both sides, can result in tension. This three part series takes a look at the story behind Edmonton’s ghost bike program, rider safety for real-life situations, and concludes with a popular road trip filled with destinations that warmly welcome members of the bike community.
You’re driving around the city and see an odd sight. It’s a motorcycle by the road, painted white. There may be some flowers or trinkets around it. What is it? What’s it doing there? It's called a ghost bike, and it’s placed near sites where riders have lost their lives while enjoying their sport.
“I started the ghost bike program about seven years ago,” says founder Cory Bacon, a long-term rider in the sport bike community. “I noticed some people were getting huge memorial rides and others were not, so I helped put together a group to make sure every rider was recognized no matter how well known they were.”
In most cases, before the ride, a ghost bike is placed.
“The ghost bikes are donated from Psycho Cycle & Salvage,” Bacon says. “They were generous enough to give us our first ghost bike, and they were on board with the program right away.”
Getting a bike ready for placement, however, is not a straightforward process.
“We knew we had to make sure nobody would steal the bikes, so we couldn’t have anything of value on them. We also couldn’t risk any contamination to the environment. The fuel lines, motors, coolant systems – all of that is stripped off. It’s a frame and two wheels.”
Next, the bikes are painted white. Donations pay for the paint supplies and to transport the bikes to crash sites.
Since its launch, the program has extended to Calgary, Red Deer, Gibbons, Lloydminster and Fort Saskatchewan.
What is the respectful thing to do if you see a ghost bike?
“Treat it like a grave,” says Bacon. “Don’t sit on them. This is, essentially, someone’s tombstone. We do put signs around them noting this. We have had people actually tidy up the bikes if the area gets littered, or leave pictures, candles or teddy bears to honour the fallen rider. Since the bikes are white, you can use a marker to write a message to the rider on it.”
Note that the message will disappear when the bike is picked up, repainted, and moved.
Bacon explains, “There is one bike that is permanent on the west side of Edmonton on the Anthony Henday. That one is maintained by the mother of a woman who passed away riding. She gives it a theme around the major holidays, such as wrapping it in Christmas lights in December and she brings flowers to the site frequently. The other ghost bikes get recycled. They stay in place until they are needed at another site. We have four in Edmonton right now.
The feedback has been very positive.
“Everybody seems to love the ghost bikes. The police see it as a reminder for everyone to slow down and share the road, and drivers are reminded to watch for motorcycles. Families are happy to have something besides a cross or flowers to mark the spot. The bikes really bring awareness to everyone who rides about the death and who the person was. It brings a face and a name to the community.”
A component of the program is the memorial ride, which Bacon also helps to organize.
“In most instances the ride takes place after the bike is placed, which is as close to the crash site as safely possible. Most memorial rides end where we place the bike,” he says.
When Bacon and his team are setting up the rides, they often don’t know the family or the rider. They reach out, or, since the program has grown so popular over the years, the family of the rider reaches them through the Ride In Paradise Memorial (RIP’M) Facebook page.
“Sometimes it can be very hard to be in front of a grieving family,” he admits. “Other times the family is very welcoming. Many times when we place a ghost bike, the family will meet us there, sit with us, and we will learn more about the rider. We’ll make plans with the family on what they would like for a memorial ride, where they would like it to go, who would be the lead of the group, ensure the closest friends and family are at the start of the ride, and more. If anybody from the family would like to be in the ride but they don't have a motorcycle, we'll arrange for people to take them on the back of other bikes.”
“The smallest ride we had was about 75 people,” Bacon adds. “On the other hand, we had a veteran and his wife that passed away after a head on collision with a vehicle. We had a rider turnout of around 950 bikers. We needed a police escort for that one!”
The number of bikes placed varies each year, but around four per year is the usual minimum. Last year, however, the program placed eight.
He concludes, “Take notice of the ghost bikes and please be respectful of them. Last year a windstorm knocked over almost every bike and citizens went out and put them back up. We are very grateful for that type of respect and help.”
If you want to learn more, request a bike or memorial ride, or support the program, please visit RIP’M on Facebook.
Nerissa McNaughton is a freelance writer and a contributor to Great West Media. This story was written for Great West Media's Hot Summer Guide advertising feature. The Hot Summer Guide is a special feature about summer activities, bucket list adventures, staycation options, road trips, attractions, events, and road trip-worthy food & beverage destinations across Alberta. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff.
