街角でたまに見かける真っ白く塗られた自転車。
最初はなんかのアートなのかなと思ってたんですが、自転車の死亡事故が起きた場所に置かれるメモリアルだそうです。
'Ghost Bikes are small and somber memorials for bicyclists who are killed or hit on the street. A bicycle is painted all white and locked to a street sign near the crash site, accompanied by a small plaque. They serve as reminders of the tragedy that took place on an otherwise anonymous street corner, and as quiet statements in support of cyclists' right to safe travel.
The first ghost bikes were created in St. Louis, Missouri in 2003, and they have since appeared in over 100 locations throughout the world. For those who create and install the memorials, the death of a fellow bicyclist hits home. We all travel the same unsafe streets and face the same risks; it could just as easily be any one of us. Each time we say we hope to never have to do it again -- but we remain committed to making these memorials as long as they are needed.'
(from GhostBikes official site)
その意味を知って以来、白い自転車を見かける度にはっとさせられます。
