“Why a white bicycle?” some of you may be asking. This is a ghost bike. More specifically, this is the Kevin Manning Ghost bike. It serves as a somber memorial. It marks the spot where Kevin Manning’s life tragically ended.
Kevin Manning was a pedicab driver. In June 2018, he was struck by a hit-and-run driver on The Embarcadero. The collision occurred at Sansome Street. Kevin was giving a ride to a family at the time. The passengers and another pedicab driver sustained injuries. Sadly, Kevin Manning died from his injuries.
Kevin Manning was more than just a pedicab driver. He was a father and a grandfather. He was also an innovator. Kevin even held a patent. He was an active member of the San Francisco community. The pedicab community was devastated by his death.
The Kevin Manning Ghost bike reminds us of the dangers cyclists face. The Embarcadero is a high-injury corridor. Between 2006 and 2011, eighty-four people were injured while biking or walking there. Two people died during that time. Advocates say Kevin’s death was preventable.
The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is urging change. They want protected bike lanes on The Embarcadero. They say the city has been too slow to act. Delays are unacceptable. They threaten the lives of cyclists.
The Kevin Manning Ghost bike stands as a call for change. It reminds us of the need for safer streets. It urges the city to take immediate action. Kevin’s death should not be in vain.
Kevin Manning was also an avid cyclist for over 30 years. He was an active member of the Oakland Yellowjackets bicycle club. He studied Mechanical Engineering at San Francisco State University. He even designed groundwater cleanup pumps. Later he invented the Pump Hub. It is an automatic tire-inflation system. It sits in the wheel’s hub.
The Kevin Manning Ghost bike is a powerful symbol. It represents a life lost too soon. It highlights the need for safer streets. Let us remember Kevin Manning. Let us work towards a safer San Francisco for all. Think about what you can do to make our streets safer.