Monon Trail bridge at 86th Street should serve as memorial to promote bicycle safety

There is no question that the intersection of the Monon Trail and 86th Street has been a safety hazard for decades. Additionally, there is no question that Indianapolis has a problem with bicycle and pedestrian safety throughout Marion County.

Constructing a bike/pedestrian bridge over 86th Street for the thousands of users each year that have to cross 86th Street has been needed since the trail was built. Besides making life safer for both Monon users and the 30,000 motorists that travel east and west on 86th each day, a new bridge can help the city publicize bicycle safety in a very meaningful way. Let me explain.

If you are a bicyclist, you are most likely aware of the term ghost bike. That is a bike that is painted either gray or white which is placed at the site where a bike rider has died in a traffic collision. It is a memorial to the deceased rider. But, in addition, it is a stark, everyday reminder to bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists of the need for enhanced awareness of bicycle safety.

By simply using some artistic design imagination, the new bridge at that intersection can carry this same message of bicycle safety in a hugely meaningful way. Both the east and west sides of the bridge should be decorated with large metal silhouettes of bike riders … children through adults … riding white bicycles with accompanying copy that identifies the bridge as the Ghost Bike Bridge. There would be a monument at the base of the bridge that would memorialize bike riders who have died in crashes throughout the county.

Imagine the impact that this messaging could have on 30,000 motorists each day as they pass under this bridge on their way to work and other trips? And let your imagination go even further by envisioning the impact that a Ghost Bike Bridge at each of the critical trail/highway intersections throughout the county would have so far as promoting bicycle safety awareness.

Ron Carter served on the Carmel City Council from 1996 to 2020.