The Bicycle Advisory Council has issued a call to action urging city authorities to protect ghost bike installations following reports that several memorials have been removed without explanation in recent months.
The Austin Ghost Bike Project, a volunteer-driven initiative, has placed at least 10 ghost bikes across the city. These white-painted bicycles are installed at sites where cyclists have tragically lost their lives to traffic accidents, serving as both memorials and reminders for safer driving practices. However, concerns arose when several of these installations were unexpectedly removed, believed to be the result of actions by maintenance and construction crews.
Spencer Schumacher, chair of the council, emphasized the significance of these memorials: “We are constantly seeking ways to underscore the impact of traffic incidents, and ghost bikes serve as poignant reminders of lives lost. The volunteer effort behind them deserves our utmost respect and protection.”
In response, the council unanimously passed a recommendation during its recent meeting, stipulating that ghost bikes should include contact information for the installers to be notified in case temporary removal is necessary, particularly during maintenance or construction activities. The recommendation also urges the Transportation and Public Works Department to utilize the Austin Ghost Bike Project’s map to inform construction crews about the presence of ghost bikes at their sites.
Furthermore, the recommendation encourages collaboration between city departments and advocacy groups like the Austin Ghost Bike Project to raise awareness about the significance of these memorials.
Schumacher clarified that there was no evidence suggesting malicious intent behind the removals, attributing them instead to oversight by maintenance and construction crews unaware of the memorials’ purpose. He indicated that the Transportation and Public Works Department is aware of the issue and asserted that no deliberate removals had been carried out by their crews.
Jason Abels, a volunteer with the Austin Ghost Bike Project, stressed the importance of ensuring the preservation and installation of ghost bikes without encountering bureaucratic hurdles: “We are seeking all available means to safeguard these installations and prevent any issues with city departments.”
City Council Member Zo Qadri’s office has engaged with city departments to investigate the removals, including incidents reportedly involving the University of Texas.
According to Vision Zero data, one cyclist has died and 17 have sustained serious injuries from traffic crashes in 2024 alone. Since 2020, 15 bicyclists have lost their lives, with 117 suffering serious injuries from crashes in Austin.
The Bicycle Advisory Council plans to convene next on July 16 at 6 p.m. in room 1029 of City Hall to continue discussions on improving cyclist safety and memorial installations.