Volvo LifePaint May Save Your Life

You might remember the white-painted bicycles placed at various locations around the city. Many, including me, wondered what they were all about. They're called "Ghost Bikes," and for those who are unfamiliar (from ghostbikes.org):

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. Currently there are over 610 ghost bikes that have since appeared in over 210 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.

 

Kudos to Volvo, because it seems we may need less memorials to fallen bicycle riders, motorcyclists, and even pedestrians because of something Volvo is calling LifePaint.

Take a look: