Ghost Bike Placed By Roadside in Memory of Killed Bicyclist

DULUTH, Minn. — “My hope is that, through our tragedy, nobody else has to go through this,” said Lisa Lehne, sister of killed bicyclist.

The family of bicyclist Steven Hoover, who was killed while crossing Mesaba Avenue are saying enough is enough, and they are hoping changes are made to protect the safety of others.

Saturday, a ghost bike was placed near the roadside that Hoover was biking across when he was struck by two vehicles.

60-year old Hoover was crossing Mesaba Avenue heading towards W Superior Street when he was hit and killed on December 4.

Now, nearly three weeks later a ghost bike was placed in Hoovers memory. Ghost bikes are white-painted bicycles placed where cyclists have lost their lives in traffic.

Members of Vibrant Streets Duluth, family of Hoover and others walked to the crosswalk where Hoover was hit to place the bike.

Hoover’s family members say he was very adventurous, and spent lots of his time on his bike.

“Biking was his main form of transportation. He loved to bike, he loved to hike, he loved to explore and he always felt freest on the bike, because he did have a hip problem, but on the bike, it never bothered him,” said Lehne.

Lehne said she visited the crosswalk where her brother was struck, and couldn’t believe how unsafe it is.

“I thought it was up by the stop light, and then some kindly people had shown us exactly where it was. And as we were walking down there, I started bawling, because I thought to myself, who could possibly put a crosswalk here? This is like at the bottom of a freeway entrance. This isn’t safe,” said Lehne.

According to the Minnesota Road Safety Information Center, since 2016, Mesaba Avenue here has seen 348 crashes, that has resulted in 90 injuries, and now two fatalities. And people are calling for a change.