READER REPORT: ‘Ghost bike’ for Marvin Miller, after 12 years

The photos are from Al, who explains: “Attached to the railing where the two bike paths merge under the south end of the 1st Ave Bridge is a new ‘Ghost Bike.’ It definitely wasn’t there Friday evening and I truly believe it wasn’t there this morning around 6 am, but it is there now. Dedicated to ‘Marvin Miller died doing what he loved…March 17, 2006…’.” This is attached, a picture of Mr. Miller and the text of his obituary:

We found one online report about the deadly crash, from seattlepi.com. If you haven’t heard about “ghost bikes” before, they’re explained here.

16 Replies to "READER REPORT: 'Ghost bike' for Marvin Miller, after 12 years"

  • Buttercup March 19, 2018 (8:58 pm)

    It was there on Saturday, saw it later in the day. Nice memories.

  • Also John March 20, 2018 (8:15 am)

    A reminder to everyone to be careful………

  • KM March 20, 2018 (9:00 am)

    Does anyone know the outcome for the killer? What a sad story.

  • I. Ponder March 20, 2018 (1:12 pm)

    Cyclist was riding on the sidewalk.

    • WSB March 20, 2018 (1:33 pm)

      “Trail,” as described in the news report linked above. Although it doesn’t matter what you call the path … the driver was the person in the wrong. Re: the commenter who asked, I’m sorry I haven’t found any further info on this. That story describes the driver as “teenage” – which means the name might not have been made public ever unless they were charged as an adult. Still looking, though. – TR

      • KM March 20, 2018 (2:49 pm)

        Thanks TR, was wondering if that added complication to follow-up since they were a minor.

  • Ruckus March 20, 2018 (2:07 pm)

    I didn’t know Mr. Miller, a retired Boeing engineer and West Seattle native, but it’s important to remember that his death 12 years ago this month left behind a wife of 30 years, a teenage daughter, and a brother. The driver of the speeding car that killed Mr. Martin was 17 at the time. Because of his age, he was never identified, and it’s not known how (or if) he was punished. He would be 29 now, and I hope his recklessness haunt him for the rest of his life.

  • newnative March 20, 2018 (3:40 pm)

    https://www.westsideseattle.com/west-seattle-herald/2013/04/12/update-six-years-after-fathers-tragic-death-west-seattle-native

    Here is an interesting look at his life through his daughter’s eyes. 

  • waikikigirl March 20, 2018 (5:27 pm)

    @Newnative, thank you for that link. Mr. Miller was a huge loss not only to his family but to the whole World… 

  • MJ March 20, 2018 (6:26 pm)

    Seeing ghost bikes while riding is a reminder of how vulnerable bicyclists are. 

    Drivers need to be careful as do bike riders, make eye contact before crossing in front of a 2,000 lb vehicle.  

    RIP Marvin

  • waikikigirl March 21, 2018 (8:07 am)

    May I ask…are these ghost bikes not permanent? One was put up on 1st Ave So. and Andover where that rider was killed a few months back and after less than a week it was gone?

  • Teresa Miller March 21, 2018 (2:20 pm)

    My husband made this in my dad’s honor. We put it up with my mom on Saturday, which was the 12-year anniversary of the accident. We put real and fake flowers on it, which disappointingly seem to have been promptly stripped off by passersby (compare my photo below to the one in the article above). I hope that at least the bike itself will stay up a long time, and I would appreciate it if the people on this chain who pass by there would be willing to help keep an eye on it. The location is the Duwamish Trail, a designated multi-use bike and pedestrian path just east of the intersection of West Marginal Way and Highland Park West. He was riding there with a friend when a 17-year-old intentionally drove onto the path in order to get ahead in a street race. The perpetrator pleaded guilty and was sentenced to about three months in a juvenile facility. I don’t know what happened to him after that. We go there at least once a year to leave flowers and pick up litter.

    • WSB March 21, 2018 (2:24 pm)

      Thank you for the update and photo, Teresa. I am sorry for your loss. – TR

  • Sylvia Duff March 21, 2018 (3:35 pm)

    I was Marvin’s wife of 30 years.  I am really sorry that all the flowers were removed so soon.  The teenager was to be tried as an adult, but I prevailed and he was tried as a juvenile because I thought it was more important that he finish high school and receive counseling.  The juvenile admitted to jumping the curb and hitting him at 80 mph.

    Marv rode around Mt. Rainier in one day 5 times (RAMROD) and UP Haleakala in Hawaii.  He put an average of 9,400 miles per year on his bike.  To be killed while on a double wide bike path was a shame.  He and our daughter Teresa did STP (Seattle to Portland at least twice.

    I will replace the flowers.  What sort of person would remove them so soon?

  • SaraB March 21, 2018 (3:47 pm)

    I’m sorry for your loss, Teresa and Sylvia. I am moved by your grace and generosity in advocating for the driver to be tried as a juvenile.  I sincerely hope he fully realizes the consequences of his actions, but whatever choices he made about his life, your decision shows the capacity of the human spirit.  I’m a stranger to you, but I’m honored to be your neighbor. 

  • Sylvia Duff March 26, 2018 (9:17 am)

    Thank you for your kind response, not everyone agreed with my decision.

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