Yesterday morning at around 10am, Andrew Ross Morgan was struck and killed by a truck on Houston St and Elizabeth. A few of us came across the crime scene yesterday morning but I hesitated to post anything here until I had more information. The Daily News has the horrific details. Bike Blog and NYC Indymedia will be providing additional coverage.
Friday’s Critical Mass will be a memorial ride for Andrew. May he rest in peace.
An overview of the lates issue of Signal: A Journal of International Political Graphics & Culture.
This is an update on changes with the Justseeds Open Type Project and news on a couple of related projects.
“We stand in solidarity with our Palestinian siblings in Gaza and those among our community who are directly and indirectly affected by the current war and genocide by the Israeli settler-colonial regime. Passive observation of the horrors of bombings, genocide, and prolonged apartheid is not our way. We must rise and firmly proclaim that Palestinian Liberation is a Feminist Imperative.” – Feminists for Jina Seattle
El Machete Illustrated
are you doing a ghost bike for andrew morning? do you need help with it? i think the elizabeth padilla one is great. I said after seeing it I thought it was beautiful and that I hoped you never made another one.
We will be creating a memorial for Andrew Morgan. A few of us installed a Ghost Bike on June 21 on Houston and Avenue A for Brandie Bailey, killed May 8 by a hit and run trucker.
I was walking over there on Wednesday to take a picture when I came across the crime scene investigation on Elizabeth, where Andrew had been killed a few hours before.
I was reading up on Transportation Alternative’s website (transalt.org) about the incredible number of fatal collisions on Houston St over time — from 1995 to 2001, there were at least:
— 4 on Houston and Ave A.
— 2 on Houston and Bowery
— 1 on Houston and Ave B
— 1 on Houston and 2nd Ave.
— 1 on Houston and and Greene
Personally, I’ve had close calls both on Ave. B and Bowery. Along with the Brooklyn exit of the Manhattan Bridge, it’s the most dangerous part of my daily commute.
Houston St is for bikers what Queens Boulevard is for pedestrians. I think an extended campaign focused at Houston St is a overdue. Any ideas?
Well ghost bikes only on that stretch would give you 10 ghost bikes in a short stretch. (the 9 from 95-01+andrew’s). while they’re awesome at what they do the challenge is to maybe confront *driver* with the problem more than the pedestrians & cyclists who see ghostbikes the most. one possible solutiion, or opportunity, is to use the median islands, where they exist along houston to install stuff. maybe hanging guerilla signage, like the freeway blogger or something? Semi or demi official-looking ones, maybe the ideogram of a bike & the words “stop killing cyclists?” I think on those median strips there are posts and stuff to bolt things to. I’d imagine the cm tomorrow will go by there so I’ll have a look around and see if anything comes to mind.
I don’t know, i’m just an idiot. but I’m OK at design & type work, and can certainly lift, bolt, paint, whatever. if you need a hand, I’m willing.
sorry for hijacking your blog.
everyone should feel free to hijack this blog to post ideas — that’s the goal.
thanks for the suggestions. transportation alternatives, time’s up and a host of other groups are doing great work lobbying the city and pressing for more physical infrastructure to protect cyclists. i think it’s incumbent on artists and activists to use our skills to do creative work to help support them, get the word out, and hopefully change some minds…
when I was in Colorado recently, just about every 20 feet the state had posted “Share the Road” signs with a bike on ’em. As far as stuff aimed at bikers I thought a take on that might be good.
Andrew’s ghost bike has been installed. I believe there will be memorial at 6 today before critical mass.
The world lost a beautiful soul in Andy. His laughter, kindness and easy going nature gave many a person a reason to smile. As word of his departure spreads, more and more people grow numb. Goodbye, MoMan, we already miss you.
Bradley, thank you for you words about Andy. He was loved by so many. We will always miss his light. We will send your words on to his parents, brother and sister.
Andy was a close friend of mine. He and I went to school together at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA. We lived together for about a year and played lots and lots of music together. He was an outstanding cook, took beautiful photographs, loved to travel. He had an unparalleled passion for life. I have countless memories of the times I spend with Andy. I’m still learning how to deal with his death. It has been very difficult for me.
I have recently started riding my bike around Seattle to get to and from work. I have become more and more aware of the dangers that one assumes when you take your bike on the road. Since Andy’s death, though, I find myself outraged by the obliviousness of the average driver on those busy streets. I know Andy was a cautious and defensive rider. I didn’t even need to question whether or not he was wearing a helmet.
My prayers are with those of you who are trying to increase awareness in the City. And my heart goes out to Andy’s family. There are a lot of us out here in Washington who are in mourning.
Andy, you were an amazing friend. I’m definitely going to miss you, buddy.
We were at the memorial for Brandi Bailey at Houston and Avenue A. People adorned her Ghostbike with flowers. A group rode over from Andrew’s memorial and joined us later — maybe 20 people in total. It was raining most of the time. Ocassionaly a passerby would ask about the memorial, a few stopped to read the notes. Some others made the sign of the cross as they passed.
I spoke to a cop when I first arrived. For some reason the cops thought this was important enough to send about 3 cars and 6 men. The cop introduced himself and seemed intelligent enough. He asked how many people were coming. I told him his guess was as good as mine. Then I looked him in the eye and told him nobody wanted to really be there.
I asked him about the recent round of automobile-releated deaths of cyclists and pedestrians. He talked about how the streets have always been dangerous and mentioned Queens Blvd. (“the Blvd. of Death”). I told him that what has most people upset is that the drivers are not held accountable at all. I told him I could get in a car and run over an old lady and then say “oh, I didn’t see her” and drive off.
I went on to tell him that in Japan any driver involved in an accident resulting in a death, whether responsible or not, automatically loses his license. I am not even sure if this is true! But I like the sound of it. He didn’t have much to say; I’m glad I could (calmly) give him a piece of my mind.