r/AstoriaStreetActivism

Original sign. Note its placement in relation to branch, AND the amount of open pole space, ABOVE the sign.

I spoke with a woman at the DSNY, who told me that the removal of a ghost bike (such as that, for Xing Long Lin) is not something that would fall within their purview, and that in addition, she understands that it serves as a memorial (so in other words, I got the sense that she herself supports ghost bikes...so it didn't sound like she was just giving me some B.S. response....)

Someone from the DOT left a message back for me (in response to my initial outreach) but it was totally unintelligible. So I then reached out, directly, to Nicole Garcia at the DOT, who told me she'd look into it and get back to me (though she also added that the DOT, as well, does not normally remove ghost bikes....)

This has me really perplexed, and very bothered...IF in fact, a mere member of our own community decided that they disliked the existence of a memorial to a cyclist/food delivery worker so much, as to remove it under the cover of darkness. (Not only was the bike removed, but also a metal sign that was affixed to the pole, above it, to indicate it was a ghost bike...)

I just so happened to find a copy of old photos - see photo, above - from when we installed the bike, and the accompanying sign. When I compare that to a more recent photo of that same pole, it appears the parking signs may in fact be newly-installed. (I'm not sure our ghost bike sign could have been installed so far below these other signs, and still have the tree branch in the frame.) I'm going to contact DOT again and ask if it's possible that a new, UNinformed employee put up these signs (and possibly removed the bike and our sign....)

UPDATE: I've since heard back from DOT, who said that they checked with various teams, and that 'no', it was not anyone from the DOT who removed the sign or bike. It's now on my to-do list, to work on getting a new sign and bike, to re-install....

These are what appear to be newly-installed signs. Note signs relation to same tree branch as photo above.

The DOT will present plans for Phase 2 of 31st Avenue, covering the stretch from Steinway Street to 51st Street, during a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, May 13, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually only, with no in-person attendance or public speaking opportunity.

Zoom link.

https://preview.redd.it/mgqwnu7szp0h1.jpg?width=634&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fe7cf6c59a383b72cb40c5fddd93ba6742926046