Ghost bikes are to be found across Toronto wherever a cyclist has been killed. Members of the cycling community have been installing these tributes for more than 20 years.
On Queen Street West
This ghost bike, outside Old City Hall at 60 Queen Street West, commemorates the spot where bike messenger Darcy Allan Sheppard was killed on August 31, 2009 from a vehicle altercation with former Attorney General Michael Bryant. I remember reading and hearing about this altercation at the time; the incident was more violent than most. The tragedy was compounded by a controversial decision by an Ontario government-appointed independent prosecutor to drop criminal negligence and dangerous driving charges against Bryant.
Throughout the ensuing years, the memorial has been maintained by Sheppard’s family and their supporters. The memorial has served as the meeting place for semi-annual gatherings calling for a more equal justice system for cyclists killed on Toronto’s roads.
On Davenport Road
Another ghost bike resides on the corner of Avenue Road and Davenport Road. Adam Excell was riding his bike on Avenue Road, near Davenport Road on June 13, 2015, when he was struck and killed by a car that did not remain at the scene.
Yes, every time I see one of these ghost bikes, I realize that someone has been killed in a bicycle accident. One that is particularly sad is the one along the waterfront parallel to Lakeshore Blvd. That young boy who was biking with his father and lost control and veered into the traffic. It is a large city problem when cars and bicycles compete for space. Toronto needs to do something about it but I don’t think a solution will come any time soon.
I’ve never seen that one near Lakeshore but I can imagine it must be incredibly sad. Unfortunately there are several ghost bikes appearing around the city, each representing a tragedy. Toronto’s car-bike war continues.