Ghost Bike, first in El Paso TX

EL PASO, TEXAS -- The site where an East Side cyclist was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver now has a permanent reminder of the tragedy. The "ghost bike" memorial on George Dieter Drive commemorates the loss of Heinz Duerkop, an avid cyclist who died June 21.

Ghost bikes are memorials for bicyclists who are killed or hit on the street. A bicycle is painted all white and locked to a street sign near the crash site, accompanied by a small, engraved plaque. The bikes serve as reminders of fatal cycling accidents and as statements in
support of cyclists' right to safe travel.

The memorial was approved by the city with the help of District 5 Rep. Rachel Quintana.
Duerkop, 67, was killed while riding his bicycle a few blocks from his home in the 11200 block of Thunder Cloud Drive. He was riding south on George Dieter when he was struck by an unknown vehicle, throwing him from his bike into the intersection at Pocahontas Place and George
Dieter. He died of his injuries at the scene.

Duerkop and his wife, Margot, came to El Paso from Germany. They
regularly rode their bicycles together. The couple were remembered by
their neighbors for always being together at parties and on trips.

"Heinz was always around with cheers and very talkative at our
neighborhood parties," said Jerry Fulton. "You knew when he was there
and everybody liked him and his wife. They were always together. She
went wherever he went, and he went wherever she went."

On the morning of the tragedy, Margot Duerkop said, she overslept, so her husband went riding alone.
"He loved riding his bicycle," she said. "I slept in that morning
and it was just coincidence that he was hit the only day he went alone
because normally we would ride together. I want (the memorial) to be a
reminder for the person who hit my husband. I'm sure they pass through
here every day, and I want them to see it and hopefully admit to what
they did."

Duerkop volunteered at Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site for more than a decade. He was retired from the German air force at Fort Bliss.

The death was listed as the Crime Stoppers crime of the week in
August 2009. Police are asking anyone who has any information about the
crime to call Crime Stoppers of El Paso at 566-TIPS (8477) or submit
the tip online. Anyone providing information will remain anonymous and,
if the tip leads to an arrest, there is a cash reward of up to $1,000. Family and Friends of Heinz Duerkop offer an additional reward of $3,000 for the arrest of the driver who killed Duerkop.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

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• MTB
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• tour
• vuelta
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• giant

[alexzracer2008]

Man what can be done to prevent this?

[jeeyberg]

I am a life--long, rules-of-the-road-abiding cyclist and am constantly terrified of collisions with other vehicles on the road(motorized machines, because of their immensely greater mass, will cause immensely more damage and even death. As a former Boy Scout cycling merit badge counselor, this particular road was a favorite training ride, ESPECIALLY on Sunday mornings! Rarely will a (motorist) stay around to render aid/take responsibility, and this is a good example. Keep on pedaling safely!

[millsfreak]

I drive past this memorial everyday to and from work..its an unfortunate but constant reminder to share the road.

[elfernman]

I ride 3 - 4 days a wek in El PAso and it is unfortunate but as a cyclist one must ride defensively.....drivers as a group are share a very low regard for each other, let alone cyclists. The drivers are almost retarded in there judgement ... the rule of thumb for me is to always yield to the idiots....a bunch of @-holes in a hurry to go nowhere ( and I mean NOWHERE),for sure.

[Faztlan]

Share the road... -TX

[RomanticBulletsPrds]

This is such a beautiful item for a memorial, may this person be remembered and hopefully ppl don't mess with this site

[melissacbs]

i've seen this site