Here stands a silent tribute a ghost bike. This memorial marks the spot where Sultan Zadran’s life tragically ended. Sultan Zadran was an Uber Eats delivery courier. A FlixBus bus crushed him in early February 2023. The accident occurred near Brussels-North station. This intersection has long been criticized for being dangerous to cyclists.
Sultan Zadran was riding in the designated cycling lane. He was on Boulevard Roi Albert II at the intersection with Boulevard Simon Bolivar in Schaerbeek. The bus driver couldn’t see him in the bus’s blind spot. The accident brought bicycle courier safety to the forefront.
Heroes For Zero denounced the lack of road safety improvements after Sultan Zadran’s death. They highlighted the dangerous traffic situation on Boulevard Roi Albert II. The placement of the bus stop and irresponsible FlixBus driver behavior endangered pedestrians and cyclists. Despite warnings to FlixBus and the police, the situation remained perilous.
Sultan Zadran was from Afghanistan. He had been living in Belgium for about ten years. His family had fled to Pakistan after the Taliban took power. He was working to bring his five children to Belgium.
The Brussels public prosecutor’s office closed the case relating to Sultan’s death. Neither the bus driver FlixBus nor Uber Eats faced prosecution. This decision shocked Sultan’s family. They had hoped for a trial that would result in compensation.
Uber initially refused to provide proper professional insurance for its workers. Following social unrest Uber agreed to improve working conditions for delivery and transportation sector workers. Uber offered a compensation package to Sultan Zadran’s family. It included money for funeral costs, repatriation and other support.
The Collective of Couriers organized a gathering and a minute of silence. They paid tribute to Sultan at the accident site. They also raised questions about the vulnerability of bicycle delivery men and cyclists.
Associations complained about the poor condition of the cycle path. They highlighted the presence of bus stops that regularly block the path. These conditions endanger cyclists.
This ghost bike serves as a stark reminder. It symbolizes the dangers faced by cyclists in Brussels. The Sultan Zadran memorial urges action for safer streets. It calls for justice and improved protection for vulnerable road users. The white bicycle is a plea for change a demand for accountability. It honors Sultan’s memory.