Habian Rodriguez Ghost Bike Memorial NYC

[MikeKS]

www.Ghostbikes.org (http://www.Ghostbikes.org) does these amazing memorials for fellow cyclist that have been killed on the street. This one was for Habian Rodriguez not to far from my house, on streets that i ride on weekly. Habian Rodriguez was killed by a car on September 2007. I don't know Habian but i was hoping to print this and send it to his family. Tell me what you guys think.

17-55 @ 18mm IS 13sec ISO200 f/9
http://MikeKS.smugmug.com/photos/243547518-XL.jpg

[CanonXtiDude]

i like it a lot.

[Pete's Prints]

Very touching, hope you can get it to his folks.

[FlyingPhotog]

Very touching, hope you can get it to his folks.

Forgive me but I disagree...

If the OP had a really nice photo of the deceased alive and enjoying himself on a bike, I could see wanting to offer that to the family.

I really, really think sending them a photo of the place, means and (maybe) even the conditions at the time he died would be crass and insensitive. The streaking cars going past would just be another dagger in the heart.

If I were the deceased's father or brother, it would rip my heart out every time I saw it.

[EveryMilesAMemory]

It's a cool shot, but I might agree with Flying Photog on the light trails behind the bike

Maybe show it to the parents and see what they think first?

Pat

[MikeKS]

Hmm never thought of it from that point of view. I just thought that a picture of the memorial that his fellow cyclist put a great deal of effort into honoring his life as a cyclist in NYC would have been appropriate. I do see your point about the headlight trails.

I wrote to ghostbikes.org to see what their take on the subject is. Thanks for your opinions.

-Mike

[tesarver]

Very nice shot, like it alot.

[BottomBracket]

Mike, thanks for sharing. I am an avid cyclist here in the city and I see a lot of these memorials - one is too many. I think you have captured the atmosphere of this memorial quite well - it is dramatic and sad, as it should be. Thanks for posting this.

[Radtech1]

Forgive me but I disagree...

...I really, really think sending them a photo of the place, means and (maybe) even the conditions at the time he died would be crass and insensitive.... If I were the deceased's father or brother, it would rip my heart out every time I saw it.

Speaking as one who has lost several family members through sudden tragedy*, I know that this type of shot WOULD be appreciated. Some of the most treasured images I have are those of the remembrances and good will left at the "hallowed ground". There is nothing "crass and insensitive" about it.

Of course, use your judgment on timing and presentation. Don't run over all excited about your great shot, just tell them that you have a photograph of the memorial, that it reminded you of how well liked Habian was, and that you wanted to share that with them.

And as to the tragedy of this, I agree that we see too many of them. And not just in a metropolis. I live in the OC suburb of Irvine, and there are a lot of cycling enthusiasts here. The problem is that they blow through stops signs as thought traffic laws don't apply to them. Especially when they ride en masse. There has been 2 or 3 times over the last year where I had to slam to a stop to avoid creating just such a memorial. Then they flip me off.

As tragic as this is to the family of the cycler, I imagine that the driver is going to have a hard time with this as well.

Rad

*In my case it was a quadruple homicide in Seattle, and not a cycling accident.

[MikeKS]

I'm glad you guys like the picture and i appreciate your comments. Unfortunaly Ghostbikes.org are unable to contact the family of Habian Rodriguez. However they have added the picture of his memorial to their webpage dedicated to him.

Mike, thanks for sharing. I am an avid cyclist here in the city and I see a lot of these memorials - one is too many. - BottomBracket

I totally agree with you. Everytime i see one of these memorials i always think "this could have been me."

Speaking as one who has lost several family members through sudden tragedy*, I know that this type of shot WOULD be appreciated. Some of the most treasured images I have are those of the remembrances and good will left at the "hallowed ground". There is nothing "crass and insensitive" about it.

First off, I'm deeply sorry to hear of your loss. I am happy to hear that someone who has lost loved ones as yourself would appreciate the photo. I plan on printing a copy and leave it at the "hallowed ground"