‘Ghost bike’ honoursmemory of cyclist

Mr Lucey, was just 48 when he was killed on a stretch of the road while riding his bicycle on November 27, 2012.

The ‘ghost bike’ was placed a quarter of a mile from the actual accident spot near Cargycreevy Presbyterian Church where the cyclist died.

Organisers felt that placing it at the scene would have been a distraction on the particularly dangerous section of the road.

The Ghost Bike on the old Ballynahinch Road.

They placed the ‘ghost bike,’ after consultation and agreement with the cyclist’s family and is hoped to serve as a memorial and highlight the vulnerability of cyclists.

The practise of placing bikes has become increasingly popular in both Britain and Ireland.

Within hours of the bike being placed a passer-by also placed yellow roses at the scene.

A spokesperson for the Dromara Cycling Club described it as a ‘poignant reminder’ for road users.

Councillor Luke Poots said that he had met earlier this year with the DRD about looking at ways to improve the road. He said that the meeting was in response to another accident closeby in which a bus crashed earlier this year.

“The ghost bike is obviously a reminder of the vulnerability of cyclists,” he said. “It has been done elsewhere and it serves a purpose to make people take more care on the roads.

“People use these to remind road users to watch out for cyclists.”

He said that he attended a site visit at the Old Ballynahinch Road where Alderman James Tinsley also attended.

“I will continue to push them to come up with ideas to improve the road,” he said.

The Department of Regional Development in a statement said that plans to implement a proposed scheme to improve the Old Ballynahinch Road have had to be deferred following opposition from local residents.

A spokesperson said, “Roads Service is preparing to introduce a £300,000 scheme to improve a bend on the A49 Saintfield Road.

“Implementation of a proposed scheme to improve the Old Ballynahinch Road in the vicinity of the junction with Cargycreevy Road was deferred following opposition from local residents.”