Ghost Bikes | A Boston Short Film

A short film about ghost bikes; their creation, their meaning, and the lives they honor.
Follow me on Instagram: / mattonalgeographic
Thank you to Matt Tong for filming me carry the bike on my back for two miles.
#bikes #boston #ghostbikes

[@ZonicTheRobot]

I’ve known several friends who tragically lost their lives while cycling. I make a point to visit the ghost bikes erected in their memory. Their stories inspire me to advocate for safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists. It’s not about the skill of the driver or cyclist; it’s about the lack of safe infrastructure. The phrase ‘Killed by an Engineer’ resonates with me.

[@Conradkh]

Boston cyclist here - I had no idea what all the white bikes were for. Beautiful film AND you brought so much new meaning to the passed and our city. Thank you.

[@louiscameron]

Thank you so much for putting Gordon's bike back, he was a great guy!

[@browncowmeowchow6445]

The kids bike brought tears to my eyes. So did the backwards fork on your ghost bike.

[@TBrownProductions]

Very different tears, but tears non the less

[@TheHEYchannel]

Woah shouts out for restoring the ghost bike at Forsyth and Huntington. I go to law school right there and I passed it all the time, but I didn't even notice it was missing. Next time I'm on campus I'll keep an eye out for this one. It makes me pretty upset they removed it. Thank you for replacing it!!

[@NikVargaLiverpool4ever]

Oh my god I’m a northeastern student - been there for 3 years - and i remember when this bike appeared. Thank you for preserving the memory of this person and for reminding people why safe roads are so important.

[@gibsongk]

Christopher Weigl was in my 1st grade class and we went to each other’s houses. He moved away (to a new town but a neighborhood .5 miles away) then I learned about him again passing his ghost bike on Commonwealth Ave, just over a year after we graduated college. Thanks for making this

[@subotic1694]

Great video, really important work to keep documenting and replacing the bikes! I also love the use of Nujabes, such a slept on artist (RIP)

[@jeanmac]

considering nujabes also died in a traffic collision, it kinda makes it sadly fitting. Great video.

[@Niknamew]

There's a bike ride every year on May 15 in various cities called The Ride of Silence. The gist is that you ride from ghost bike to ghost bike in a city, honoring each cyclist in whichever way you see fit. I was lucky enough to be a part of the Ride this year in Davis, CA. We put up three new ghost bikes for cyclists who never had one or whose bikes were stolen at one point or another. If you get the chance, I highly recommend going on a Ride of Silence. Powerful stuff.

[@patrolman53]

You know, I had the most interesting experience with the bike at Huntington @ Forsyth. Just a little while ago I saw this bike and it immediately dawned on me that it was a memorial. I think I remember seeing the original a long time ago, and was wondering why it was there. It makes sense now!

[@patrolman53]

I ride past that specific bike often and each time, I ride the bike a little more carefully.

[@zahirbashir4671]

There's a ghost bike at the intersection of Broadway and Packard Ave in Somerville (near Tufts) that I pass by everyday. It appeared last year, and sometime this past winter someone added some vines and flowers to it and made it look really pretty. I always feel a brief moment of sadness when I see it, not necessarily because of the death itself, but because of the knowledge that there are people who hold a meaningful connection to the monument. Everytime I go for a ride, I pass by that bike, as well as the one in front of the Museum of Science and the one on the Minute Man Trail, which, mind you, is a bike path with very few crossings. Boston and the surrounding area has made great strides towards improving bike safety, but tragically it still isn't enough.

[@BeHappyByBike]

Sadly our city just got its first ghost bike after a tragic hit and run this spring. It was both incredibly difficult and beautiful the way the community came together.

[@protopoe]

The little bike in Allston makes me tear up every time I pass it. With Boston drivers and in the absence of protected bike lanes, the ghost bikes always remind me to be on my guard.

[@ghst1376]

from my city, a nujabes fan, and he made an awesome short film? this guy might be my favourite youtuber

[@XenoZane]

just noticed one of these ghost bikes the other day on brookline ave and happened onto this video. wasn’t expecting the spot for gordon’s ghost bike to be somewhere i knew so well; i biked that intersection for a year when i went to northeastern. thanks for sharing

[@DJHamxa]

Great stuff. I remember reading about the tradition and realizing how incredible it is. These people didn’t have to die, they deserved a city where they could safely bike.

[@JSMEsq]

There was one of these near my buddies house in high school. I didn't know what the significance was until I saw this video - I wish I had treated it with the appropriate respect.

[@snowyyyyyyyyyyyyy]

im glad you returned the ghost to its haunt, it means a lot to me.

[@dalmationblack]

When you first showed the map I was confused because the one I'd seen recently on Forsyth and Huntington wasn't there, cool that you were the one who put it back

[@HASC0w0]

hi from saint-petersburg (the russian one)! i wish we had that traditions, a lot of good people i know here got wounded or died because of car drivers lack of attention. always be careful while riding.

[@henrymateja]

Fantastic short film

[@nickb5708]

That was so cool. That’s also my roof in the background. Whole new way to meet your neighbors.

[@BravoLimaA220]

I have no idea how I came across this video. I have never been to Boston and I don't cycle. I touched me in some way, specially the kids bike. Thank you for the short video! Great production and images, man. Keep it up!

[@StanEby1]

Good for you. This is very constructive and meaningful.

[@LardBucket_]

Thanks for doing this and documenting the process.

[@rrrrrrrrr9027]

wonderful video, thanks for making boston a better place

[@yert16571]

The world needs more of this, keep going

[@chuffa1130]

Thank you for making the video, as an avid Boston biker I believe these bikes memorials are super important, seen them from JP all the way to Medford Mass, just as a superstition I will never ride a white bike or build out a bike with a white frame thanks again

[@5uud570]

What an under appreciated video this deserves so much more love

[@doublespeedy9150]

A very beautiful video I'm glad KZbin recommended me this, very sad but genuinely really touching, it is always good to know that people out there care especially when they don't even know the person, when the very thought of it being removed and hearing their story is enough to move someone to put it back even if they didn't know them at all, it's very heartwarming that some people will still care even when others have forgotten

[@nathan-sw8kr]

Getting casey vibes here, and im all for it. Keep up the short films!

[@ethanplants]

Thank you for this video. Very well done. I also love Casey Neistat 😊

[@evansuslovich3720]

I go to Northeastern and just walked by this. Thank u

[@danica101.]

The effort is really appreciated because it really cant be easy to carry the bike that far and also drive w one hand :(

[@brendansapp]

Really good and impactful video, keep it up!

[@saladman8745]

phenomenal videos, thx for bringing the bike back

[@adventurersclub1]

I have a tip for you: here in Germany we don't strip the bikes down, we make sure that they always appear "roadworthy" so that the city can't just remove them as scrap.

[@dalmationblack]

Unfortunately in the US it'd probably just end up with the parts stripped by passersby instead

[@SilentStudioExplores]

​@@dalmationblacki hear them E bikes have a lot of copper 😅

[@peterbense5650]

Nice vid but that backwards fork killed me.

[@edwardgrant-wj7lm]

American cities are failing those who are bike dependent. Cyclists are an underserved population. Knowingly putting themselves at significant risk every single ride. It is a gift to have the ability to choose to be solely reliant on a bicycle, for there are those who do not have a choice.

[@oytem6081]

beautiful video

[@101intellectual]

your an absolute soul of a human for restoring and illuminating these fallen souls. RIP to all aforementioned and cyclists who have perished

[@beebo7071]

thank you for this

[@tagiv]

Great work, i've seen a few of these bikes across several cities i really appreciate your effort and dedication, best of luck.

[@alexnation4946]

Beautiful video. Thank you, Matt.

[@DominikRitzenhoff]

Creation is the pinnacle of human achievement!! I was so happy to see this show up in my feed haha. Good stuff, man 💪💪

[@MattOgnibene]

@@DominikRitzenhoff haha thanks Dom

[@thespacemopper5457]

As a resident of westroxbury of 26 years your short film brought a tear to my eye. The udder simplicy mixed with your nujabes sound tracks perfectly encapsulates why I am proud to be a member of this city. God bless the families of the cyclists. And boston strong brother. I'm gonna do the same soon thank you for inspiring me!

[@jordiw3692]

Fantastic. Thank you for doing this!

[@tankgrrl]

Wonderful and inspiring. I pass Marcia Diehl's bike all the time.I'm going to try to knock down some of the rust before winter. They're all heart-breaking, but Joe Lavin's especially so. He died so horribly. And then to have his ghost bike defaced...

[@matthewakotnekoff9365]

Loved this! Thank you

[@Souzaphotos]

Awesome of you doing this~!

[@Nat-if9xs]

Awesome video and great music choices!

[@Funforme984]

Great work

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

Wait we have a copyright on these as though people in cars notice. Always wonder and honor the riders final moments must have been like. Anger, terror, defiance and honor and very little suffering. Miss you and never had the pleasure of being at your side on the bike. Rest in Peace!

[@jastiksk8crw]

This is beautiful.

[@befer]

I already fw the style

[@ecopennylife]

Great story, I hadn't heard of this before, only flowers & crosses etc on the side of the road from previous traffic accidents. Serves as a constant reminder 🤗

[@AlpriBElse]

The lack of views this has is criminal

[@jonahwillis2781]

Great video!

[@FtwXXgigady]

This was beautiful, great work. In terms of the Forsynth ghost bike I wouldn't be surprised if Northeastern removed it, especially since it's right in front of the University logo. It's unfortunate they would do that (they'll probably remove it again), but im glad you took the effort to restore the memorial.

[@FtwXXgigady]

Just checked and it's still there, kinda cool to watch the video and then see it in person

[@efffo_7334]

Love the nujabes❤ great vid too

[@Zinerun]

Great video.

[@FirstLast-hf2ub]

Thank you

[@PointNubProductions]

Great video, Great choice of music (love Nujabes), and love the dedication to Boston's cyclists.

[@TaoTaoTye]

what an amazing video, my cousin was hit by a car and passed away when i was young, and i always wonderd why my aunt had a white bike in her yard :C now i know at age 21, i always thought ghosts bikes just meant a pedal bike that was painted all white, as like a style choice.

[@smcheeto]

well done

[@yungsos]

Hey man, I remember living near that kid's ghost bike. I've moved a lot over the past 5 years and don't exactly remember where I saw it. I thought it was on Mass ave in Arlington but I went by recently and couldn't find it.

[@ConnorDavis-wb7qf]

Lovely film, Matt. Thank you.

[@Poorleeno]

Nice one mate

[@bhstone1]

Really great video. Thank you for making this.

[@jacksprague3291]

The bike is still there as of 8/29/24

[@billdavis431]

This was so so well done dude! keep it up and amazing work

[@SadieMacDougall]

As someone who lives here its so sad seeing them especially cuz im a biker

[@udokotela.]

recently ive started to see ghost bikes with the tires ziptied to the rims.

[@SilentStudioExplores]

Iv seen one near like Newburyport Haverhill maybe even Ipswich area. Sorry dont rememer exactly. Back roads too Seabrook nh 😅 always wondered what the white bike was

[@stevedolhon6508]

Job well done on the video and on replacing those cycles that honor the deceased

[@DrewQuinton]

Came here to see if anyone pointed out the backwards fork and I'm happy to find that it's basically every other comment

[@thebigoaktree8401]

Misty ❤

[@carstenpfundt]

I hope I never have to erect a ghost bike. Drive your cars mindfully, wear your helmets and stay safe everyone. I love you all.

[@steroberry]

If somebody put a bike with a backwards fork on my memorial I would probably come back to life and die again

[@tadnauseum]

Great tribute and a worthy subject. A Like for sure. For yourself (just you, not us) try a re edit without the Tom Sachs narration. See if you find your voice in the silence.

[@markifi]

step 6 rotate the fork the right way forwards

[@adammackenzie]

You can't expect these to be permanent,city bylaw , vandal's, eye sore in other people's opinion. Ride safe everyone

[@iglassica]

I know there is one near thw museum of science

[@indiopeltier9758]

We have them here in Portland also.Unfortunatly tweakers steal parts off them .

[@porkchop1343]

Does the city remove them after a while?

[@Thunder_Bear_mg]

Good stuff. I recommend lowering the music a little more during narration. it's kind of distracting.

[@Untilallarefree123]

Bravo, great video and reminder. But next time throw that ghost bike in the front rack of the bus, don't get unalived trying to carry a ghost bike on your bike 🙏🏻

[@Some_D0nkus]

Nice but the fork is backwards haha

[@Theshahpaul]

The Rick Archer bike has been removed and replaced so many times I've stopped looking.

[@Jellyrollrider]

2010 Casey Neistat ahh video.

[@franklawrence1232]

how do i get in on this cute trend?

[@haroldramsey7424]

City officials should feel ashamed for allowing these monuments to the tragic deaths of their citizens, to be removed.. God bless.

[@SilentStudioExplores]

Why would someone remove a memorial...

[@SilentStudioExplores]

Should of left the chain on it for your camera man.... Atleast till you got there

[@Brunkoh]

such a sick video

[@anony-ic3pz]

and I bet you're a trump supporter

[@am_i_the_guy]

4:16

[@hollow3951]

Beautiful video for a beautiful cause. I caution you to be careful about aestheticizing or "making cool" a video about dead bikers. While you have great editing skills and your music and shot choice is strong, they may not really fit a video of this nature. It shouldn't be about you and your style, it should be about them. These aren't criticisms, just things to keep in mind. Overall, an amazing project.

[@adventurersclub1]

Remember folks, a helmet can make sure that no one has to put up a white bike for you

[@icoolman8]

Please fix the fork. It’s on backwards… all you have to do is loosen the stem and flip it around. Only respectful thing to do for a real cyclist

[@sempi8159]

That really did hurt

[@cymatic83]

Why did you do through all this effort then leave the forks backwards? If you're going to make a memorial for someone...

[@asanseil5553]

I'm from the Boston suburbs. I never ride on road. It's that simple for me. Bike gutter lanes? Nah. Just driving with these morons is more than enough BS for infinite lifetimes. To think you can ride a bike near them is pure insanity. I eliminate that risk, but invite infinite other risks by riding on off-road trails, only. lol. Pick and choose your battles, everyone!

[@lkj974]

I do. I choose to battle being marginalized.

[@drill_fiend1097]

There is no alternate route off the road and people want to commute on bikes. People would live separate bike paths, the city doesn't build them.