http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/09/04/2010-09-04_reprieve_for_ghost_bikes.html
Ip for NewsCity gives 'ghost bikes' a reprieve, allowing memorial to cyclists who died on streets to remain
The white "ghost bike" memorials for cyclists killed on local streets have been given a reprieve - after the Daily News reported the city had plans to haul them away as trash.
"That's great news," said Brooklyn Brewery founder Steve Hindy, whose son Sam is memorialized by a ghost bike. He died cycling on the Manhattan Bridge.
"I was hoping that they would see the importance of these memorials. The ghost bikes are a good memorial and reminder to the people of New York of the importance of safe streets."
New rules published Friday give the Sanitation Department power to remove abandoned and broken-down bicycles chained to light poles and parking meters - but ghost bikes are exempted.
"DSNY has exempted the inclusion of ghost bikes from the definition of derelict bicycles," the department said. "Under these rules ghost bikes will never be deemed to be derelict."
At least 67 of the nonworking white bicycles - many featuring flowers and images of the dead riders - are mounted around the city where cyclists have died.
Bike commuting has jumped by double-digit percentages in the last two years, and the city has built a network of protected bike lanes to encourage more cyclists.
Still, the Street Memorial Project says 108 cyclists have been killed since 2005.
Sanitation launched its plan to haul away derelict bikes in June, saying it previously had no legal authority to do it.
After The News revealed many ghost bikes could be hauled away under those rules, angry bikers protested - forcing the change.
"We think that was the right decision," said Caroline Samponaro, director of bicycle advocacy at Transportation Alternatives.
The rules take effect Oct. 4. City crews will tag bikes that are obviously damaged or missing many parts, giving the owners seven days to claim them before they are trashed.
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