My condolences are with the family and friends of this cyclist.

I'll be the first one to ask a question I've had for some time. Is every person who is unfortunate enough to have a fatal accident occur on or near his or her property required to put up with whatever shrine the activists place on their property?

How is that fair to someone who wasn't involved at all?

There must be other ways to raise awareness that don't put property owners in the difficult position of not being able to decline. I mean this as a sincere and thoughtful question, not an incendiary comment.

I was wondering something along those lines myself as I took this picture—the memorial's on a planting strip, right outside of an apartment building. I'm guessing many of the residents facing this memorial witnessed the accident and its aftermath, so I doubt they're going to complain about the touching memorial anytime soon. But I did see one resident at his desk, which overlooks the memorial... I'm sure I'm not the first person to stop by the memorial, and I was curious what folks like that guy thought about the newfound and unfortunate notoriety their front yard now has.

Heaven forbid anyone be inconvenienced for a few days in oder to accommodate a memorial.

I'm sure the Bojacks of the city are reacting with a "he probably deserved it" right about now...

RIP.

Another bicyclist hit while riding late at night. Riding a bike at midnight is just dumb. You are very difficult to see, no matter how many lights and reflecters you have.

"Riding a bike at midnight is just dumb"? Excuse me? I know, you're just baiting me, and I'm taking it, but that's ridiculous.

I have the right to travel by whatever means I want at any time of the day and expect other road users to exercise a minimum of caution and attention. I cycle defensively and wear a ludicrous amount of high-visibility and reflective gear plus lights. So yes, I expect YOU to look for me from behind your steering wheel.

It takes two to make the streets safe, friend.

yep, you're the asshole, rick.

Jessica Roberts, I never said you don't have the right to travel any way you want. I said bicycling at midnight is dumb, and it is. Bicyclists are very difficult to see at night, even when a driver is looking carefully. Riding around insisting on your rights while doing dumb things does not mean you will not get killed. As we have seen. All the rights in the world will do you no good when you are in the morgue.

"While doing dumb things" like riding safely, legally, and well-lit at any time of day of my choosing?

By the same logic, it's dumb to drive at midnight. So, I'll make sure I'm home on my bike by the witching hour if you promise not to be on the road either. Then we'd all be way safer.

Are you kidding me? Could we please refrain from inflammatory remarks at this point? Rick, you are an insensitive asshole. I know that Nick had a right to his life, and I don't need to know much more than that. Take your biker bashing somewhere where people aren't mourning.

For those curious:

Nick's funeral is tomorrow at Holy Family Catholic Church on SE 29th and Flavel at 1:30pm.

A celebration of Nick's life is going to be held Monday night at the Hawthorne Theatre (39th and Hawthorne) at 8pm. I also believe there may be a bike ride in his honor that event.

Thanks.

Regarding some people being bothered by Ghost Bike memorials: I think the people who are most disturbed by seeing a memorial such as this are the ones most in need of reminding that driving a car is a dangerous and possibly deadly activity. When I pass the GB memorials for Caroline and Orion on SE Belmont, I think "those were two great people." Some others might think "Eww, a reminder of death" and in my opinion it is those people who NEED a reminder that they should be careful lest they cause somebody to die. That is much of the purpose of the memorials: to promote safe driving.

If everyone, drivers and cyclists alike, did their part, there would be no fatal collisions which to have controversy about.

I live in the appartments next to the sight I put up a sign and some flowers. The sight doesn't bother me one bit. I would like it as a reminder for both bikes and bicyclists.But if you have ever been to the sight you would also notice that Central Catholic High is located across the street. I think that the student should also be reminded in being careful as well. This is our future and they need to be reminded for driving, walking and riding by thier school. This could have been one of them. It could still be one of them unfortunatly. If nick would have been walking whos fault would it have been? He was on his way home from work. He doesn't have a license so he chose to ride a bike. Some busses don't run after midnight. I can't get a drivers licence becouse i have epilepsy. I could kill someone if I were driving so I choose to walk. This memorial is a good thing and its not on anyones property its, almost in the street. So the tree now belongs to Nick and the city of Portland. Cars need to slow down, and be safer. The dirver of the car has a history of recless driving and he has lived in the neiborhood for years. Knowing all of this he should be accountable for everything. Plus the dirver admited to police to having a drink an hour before he left.