Courtesy Eric Gilliland

The D.C. Department of Public Works finally got back to us on our question about what will be done with the 22 brand new ghost bikes that have been placed around the intersection of Connecticut and R Streets NW by activist Legba Carrefour … kinda. Here’s the boilerplate statement we received via email from DPW spokesperson Linda Grant:

“… the DC Department of Public Works is responsible for removing sidewalk memorials, which usually recognize residents who have died unexpectedly, and includes anything from flowers and stuffed animals to empty bottles of alcohol and bicycles. After 30 days, DPW removes all memorial items found at the site. As part of our policy, a sign is posted at the memorial to notify family and friends that they have 30 days to remove any personal effects.”

This is a bit of a bogus response. The original Alice Swanson ghost bike was allowed to remain where it was for over a year before DPW removed it, so there are clearly exceptions to this 30 day rule. But what are they, and how are they applied? Not to mention, these 22 ghost bikes could very easily be interpreted as not being memorials to Alice Swanson, but rather protest art pieces to the action of city government in removing the original bike. Could not then DPW use that definition as a pretense to remove the new crop of bikes before 30 days is up?

DPW also returned our phone call this morning with an email late this afternoon, and sent the exact same statement to other news outlets, so we’re not exactly holding our breath on a clearer explanation to result from our follow up questions, but we’ll be sure to keep you posted.