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Bicyclists respond to Garalde killing with art, rides, memorial
Amid outrage over the road rage killing of bicyclist Mark Garalde, many of those in the biking community have chosen to respond peacefully, with art, solidarity rides, and a ghost bike memorial.
On Saturday, there will be a sympathy ride for Garalde. Participants will assemble at 4 p.m. at Luneta, then proceed to Mall of Asia and Camp Crame before heading to the crime scene in Quiapo for short prayers. The group will then proceed to the funeral home.
There will also be a unity ride on Sunday, which will begin at 6.a.m. Riders will assemble at Rizal Park, Manila and head to the scene of the crime. The ride will conclude at Garalde's wake.
In CCTV footage that was posted online, a motorist was seen shooting Garalde after the two engaged in a fistfight along P. Casal Street in Quiapo around 9:30 p.m. on Monday.
Vhon Martin Tanto has been identified by the police as its suspect in the shooting. He is still at large.
Justice for Mark
Ekong Caruncho of Bike to Work Pilipinas designed an image calling for justice for Garalde, which anyone can share or use as their profile photo. "If you're from the Philippines and feel that justice has to be served, put this on your social media platform," he said on his blog.
Meanwhile, bicycle advocate NJ Mijares is planning to install a ghost bike—bicycles painted white and installed as memorials for bicyclists who are killed or hit on the street—at the scene of Garalde's death. "Imbis na dumagdag ako sa anger and violent words online, I wanted to do something that will have an effect in the real world," he told GMA News Online.
"Sa online kasi, after you type your hate words, ano na? Walang epekto. So I'd rather that kung magsasalita na lang din ako about the issue, might as well samahan ng aksyon."
Mijares shared his plan on Facebook, where several people offered to help with the installation. Others pointed out that such a memorial might be an obstruction, or might just get stolen. But while not a common sight in Manila, there are over 630 ghost bikes in 210 locations around the world.
"It's a beautiful yet sad thing to see. But then, may halo din na hope pag nakakita ka," Mijares said. His hopes that this memorial will serve to remind people to be more safe, respectful, and friendly on the road "It's not going to be a morbid reminder. It will symbolize peace and respect," he said.
Mijares has written a formal letter to Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, but plans to push through with the memorial no matter what. "Kung hindi ko makuha ang permission ni Erap, I will personally try to convince the barangay chairman to allow me to do that," he said, adding that his original intention was to do it quietly, without any fanfare.
Still, he is thankful that many are interested in helping. "It just shows that biking communities in the Philippines have a unique bond," he said, adding that the more people who know about the cause, the better. "It might push the bicycle rights movement further."
Mijares plans to continue installing ghost bikes for other fallen bikers. "Actually, dati ko pa gusto gawin. Pati doon sa nasagasaan sa Macapagal, and many others. And hopefully, hindi lang ako. Anyone concerned can do it," he said. — BM, GMA News
