<p>Bicyclists have a tradition of putting up a “ghost bike,” a bike painted entirely white, where a cyclist was killed by a vehicle. I have only seen ghost bikes on public land, never private property.</p>
<p>A year or so ago I was riding in a rural area, and passed a roadside memorial (not a ghost bike) being tended by a woman my age. All I felt was sorrow. If that’s what this woman needed as part of her grieving process, who am I to tell her not to?</p>
<p>Last year I was driving to an appointment and I saw a huge roadside memorial. I was shocked because it all looked fresh, and I didn’t remember any reports of a fatality at that site. Then I noticed that there were emergency vehicles off to the side, which would not be the case with a memorial already in place. I then noticed all the film crews. They were filming the auto crash scene and aftermath scene from the TV show Nashville! </p>
<p>I pass 1 ghost bike and 4 separate crosses on about a 5 mile stretch of a very nice 4 lane road. As I recall all had reckless driving involved. Then I pass one corner that has a cross with a picture of a young man (I’ve seen people replace the picture when it fades). Makes me sad when I see someone mourning at the crosses. The road is in good condition - reckless driving causing head on collisions. The crosses don’t seem to stop the speeding. 
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<p>I don’t care for them. It’s not uncommon to see families (including young children) on the side of the road tending to these memorials. Neither I, nor my young drivers, need small children hovering just a few feet off a road where traffic is cruising along at 55 mph+ and it’s even worse to come upon them on the curve of one of our country roads. Whenever I see them I think of the teens who were killed when a driver lost control and left the road at the site where they were tending a memorial for one of their classmates. It’s all very sad.</p>
<p>I don’t remember these being around years ago. I am not fond of them and wish there was a time limit as I hate seeing raggedy memorials. </p>
<p>There are two near my house that are basically permanent and in both cases the victim’s families don’t live anywhere near us. I just think that it’s odd to memorialize the place where someone died a tragic death. In one case, a power line worker died when one of the company’s trucks ran him over, so it’s not even a warning to drive carefully.</p>
<p>There are a number of crosses and white rocks along the road and cliffs when you drive around a several mile stretch of highway about 5-10 miles from my home. They are not elaborate and I have never seen anyone tending them or mourning there. I have also seen memorials along wire fences, by roadsides, by a highway overpass, and several other places. To me, it is not a good idea for health and safety that the larger permanent displays be allowed to persist for prolonged periods of time, as it can be a traffic and safety hazard.</p>
<p>I have never seen people tending one. Back in the day around here they were a white cross and maybe a plastic flower wreath or bouquet - no stuffed animals or photos. </p>
<p>I think a small cross is fine. Many of the memorials I have seen around here consist of ragged, dirty plastic
flowers which seems disrespectful to me.</p>