I visited the ghost bikes and flowers and photos there today, and found it quite a moving and spiritual memorial. For me personally, that place is now "Brett's Corner."

Maybe that's gruesome, to name an intersection after a person who died there. I wonder what Brett's wife and family might think of that. I don't want to be rude or presumptuous, I just don't want to ever forget.

Politicians guaranteeing safer streets for bicyclists would be a more fitting tribute, I think.

Murals tend to look tacky.

I am interested in whatever can be done to provide some badly needed safety improvements for bicyclists, but it's not like politicians can just declare such a thing. And let's not make this a them-and-us situation... this is going to take a lot of work for a lot of people in our community, electeds, transportation staffs (let's not call them politicians shall we?), neighborhood leaders, the bike community, business owners, AAA, police, everybody. And it must be done. Neighborhood by neighborhood, block by block if not swiftly and immediately.

So in the meantime, an artistic tribute that celebrates these individuals' lives and both their artistic and bicycle passions seems an appropriate memorial wothy of consideration. I'm confident that a few (or many) talented artists could help all of us remember this tragic month. Now, community murals can be tacky and community murals can be extraordinary. For a glance at what's been created since murals were once again allowed in the City of Portland (no thanks to Clear Channel who forced the hiatus in the first place), visit http://www.racc.org/publicart/_MuralGallery1.php.

I'm interested in hearing more about this idea, and it needn't (oughtn't) be in lieu of the important safety improvements that are also needed here.

I don't have much faith in our city officials doing anything really productive. So... I am trying to think like the bike riders I am sharing the road with. If I see the space is going to be tight, I give them extra room. Before I turn anywhere, I slow and look all around me. The idea that I may kill someone with my car makes me cautious and respectful of my responsibility. I knew all this before, but these tragedies really brought it home.

Stupid idea...how about less stupid bikers on the road in Portland????

To everyone:

Yes, we are working as hard as possible to make every improvement and take in every idea possible. It's our hope that the roads continue to become safer -- through education, engineering, and enforcement.

As part of that, I like this idea a lot. Celebrating the lives of those who have been killed is important -- as is recommitting to creating safe streets and then using them in a safe manner.

I will mention the mural in the meetings I'm involved with to see if there is any way we can offer assistance.

Thanks.
Greg Raisman
Community and School Traffic Safety Partnership
Portland Office of Transportation

Murals are meant to be looked at. Anything that coaxes the attention of a motorist or cyclist, including a beautiful mural, only serves to cause more accidents.

That is a good point that needs to be taken into consideratin when the tribute is designed. And heaven knows we don't want to offend Matt's aesthetics... so....
What if we designed something (sculpture, mobile... whatever) that signals a cyclist is approaching the intersection.
Or a kinetic sculpture kind of thing? Quietly added to every time another cyclist dies. Something with a purpose, but also a tribute.
The mural could be a back drop, maybe a large graphic of a piece of Scott's work, unfinished.
Let's just do something.

Name one public art mural that doesn't totally suck ass. I mean, public art is often shitty, but there is some good stuff too. But public art murals? 100% complete ass.

My favorite (most hated) one is on NE 30th & Broadway or so, where a black woman is lifting her shirt above her pregnant belly while watering her garden. SO INCLUSIVE! (Although, that is easily beaten by the painting in Cafe Gratitude down here in SF of a one-armed boy playing on a rope swing.)

yeah, we have some truly effing bad public art in Portland - another example: the giant whisk 'n balls across from Powell's.
I have been thinking a lot about Brett, even though I didn't know him, and think that the best we can do is try to prevent more needless deaths on the road. A mural isn't going to improve this situation any, and while it is a nice gesture to a fallen artist/cyclist; how can you properly represent him (and Tracy) on a cement wall?
Drivers: take a hint from our European counterparts: get off the goddamn phone, slow the fuck down, obey the traffic signals, and for shit's sake look for every possible obstacle before turning.

IMHO:

I think the Virginia Woof mural on W Burnside is excellent.

Another good mural: I think the sliding panel murals on the Rocket building on E Burnside is brilliant.

More good murals: The Scrap mural on N Williams, the NW Outdoor Store Mural at Broadway and Burnside, and the Albina Press murals are all strong. And perhaps most relevent to this conversation, the "Share the Road" mural on SE 48th and Hawthorne is a great example of a community collabroation mural.

http://www.racc.org/publicart/_MuralGallery12Enlarge.php#bikemural