Just over a week since Walt Joller, Jr. of San Diego was struck down while commuting home from work, a ghost bike memorial has quietly appeared in his honor.
The white bicycle locked to a street light post near the accident scene is haunting.
If you ride: Please take a moment to send your respects and positive thoughts Walt’s grieving family.
If you drive, please remember: A mistake of only a few seconds can take a life.
Here’s an obituary for Walt posted on a cycling Web site. Formal memorial services, the post says, are set for Jan. 17 at MCAS Miramar in San Diego.
Update: A online guest book is available here through the local newspaper, and a personal blog memorial is here.
4 Comments
The bike needs more and better locks, otherwise it will be taken, by the city. Put a lock on it if you ride by.
Surprisingly, the bike remains in place. No one has tried to remove it. I think out of respect more than anything else.
The bike is still up as of 8/3/09 – got a lot more stuff on it now than the pic here indicates.
Thank you, Brent. You are correct. I ride by the spot weekly — if not drive by, daily. The photo I took and posted was almost immediately after. I hope the family feels the memorial is a fitting way to remember Walt, and honor his memory.
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