With special thanks to Suzanne Hagner, Paula and Mario D’Adamo, and Monica and Bill Lindsey, who provided additional statements and support in the composition of this article.
On May 10th of 2015, my friend Vijay Mohan was struck and killed by a motorist at the intersection of Ridge and W Girard. Vijay was on his regular commute block away from home when he was struck.
As is often the case, losing someone to vehicular violence was how I first learned what ghost bikes are. In the years since, it was also how I learned about the maintenance and attention they require. Since I joined the Coalition as a staff member in 2022, we have replaced Jay’s bike twice—once after it was heavily damaged and vandalized (including being struck by a vehicle that jumped the curb) and again this year after it was stolen. While this can be dispiriting, it was my honor to join with a group of close friends to facilitate the process of replacing it once again.
Replacing Vijay’s Ghost Bike
Jay’s ghost bike is the only local monument to his life and memory, so it means a lot to us, but a vigil there can be challenging. Even as we worked to replace the bike, motorists made illegal turns, ran red lights, and sped through the intersection. An inherent tension of ghost bikes is that they demarcate not only the memory of a loved one, but the very site of their death, alongside a clear, intentional reminder of its preventable and senseless cause. They are living monuments to the possibility and necessity for changes—not just in motorist behavior, but in new proven infrastructure and enforcement of existing legislation—that can end traffic fatalities once and for all.
“The ghost bike that stands where our son, William, was struck and lost to us forever is more than just a silent memorial—it is a vessel of our grief, love, and enduring remembrance. For our family, it marks the place where our lives were irreversibly changed, serving both as a tribute to his spirit and as a reminder to the world of the vulnerability we all share. Each time we visit, the white bike reflects both our sorrow and our hope that no other family should endure such a loss. It keeps his memory alive in the hearts of strangers and loved ones alike, urging everyone who passes to honor, with care and awareness, the lives that travel our roads on bicycles.”
-Monica and Bill Lindsey, parents of William Lindsay
“A ghost bike represents the joy that a bicycle brings to so many people who love to ride. It is a way to remember a life lost while paying tribute to their memory. It is bittersweet. When gazing upon it, we remember the person who loved the freedom of riding a bike and feel at the same time the pain and suffering of their senseless loss. To me and my wife, Paula we think of our son Mario riding to our house, jumping off the bike, coming in and then taking off for another ride. We think of him learning to ride a bike as a child and also think of his last moments on a bike. Hopefully it makes others think how they must be so observant when driving. Never, ever to drive impaired or distracted. In short, the ghost bike is a flashback to a vibrant life and a tragic loss.”
-Paula and Mario D’Adamo, parents of Mario D’Adamo III
In addition to honoring the memory of those lost, maintenance and decoration of ghost bikes increases their visibility and engagement in the community, which also helps to deter theft or damage. While we were installing the bike, a neighbor from across the street came to ask about it, mentioning he’d seen them elsewhere around the city, but never known what they represented until then. Likewise, a passing motorist stopped to talk with us, commenting, “Thank you. I ride a bike too.”
As stewards of the road, we do our best to keep an eye out for ghost bikes at all times of the year, but even so, we need your help to take care of them. Whether you live near a ghost bike, pass one regularly, or just want to help, here are some things you can do make sure these memorials remain in good shape and bring love to the families who lost our loved ones:
Check on the Bike or Plaque
- Take a look at our map of all ghost bikes and memorial plaques
- Make sure no one has stolen parts of it or hit it with a car
- If there are issues please fill out our Ghost Bike form or email bike@bicyclecoalition.org
Educate neighboring business
- Stop in and check if they know what the Bike or plaque is and who was killed there
- Give them our contact info or the Ghost Bike form to report any issues
Decorate the Bike or Plaque for various holidays
- Remember that not every victim’s family lives near the Bike or Plaque (or even in Philadelphia)
- Adding decorations or flowers is a really wonderful way to show care for the person who is memorialized. Decorations also demonstrate a level of care that can help stave off damage or theft.
- If you do add decorations, please take a picture and send it to us. We would love to share it with the families and on our social media.
Other Resources and Ways to Get Involved:
- Crash response (Steps To Follow Immediately After A Crash)
- Parking Protected Lane Petition
- Families for Safe Streets Greater Philadelphia