A POWERFUL message was sent to Limerick road users this week with the family of the late Philip McCormack, fondly known as ‘The Honda Man’, placing a white bicycle at the site of his fatal accident in the city.
The 40-year-old father-of-one died after being knocked off his bicycle by a car on the Kilmurry Roundabout on January 8 last. Philip’s family have now placed a ‘ghost bike’ at the accident spot in Castletroy, in his memory, and also as a sombre reminder of the tragedy to highlight cyclists’ right to safe travel on our roads.
For the next two months, a bicycle, painted all white, will serve as a fitting tribute to Philip that sends out a strong message to all road users. Written across the haunting bicycle in bold black is the simple and effective message “cyclist killed here on 8-1-14”.
The first ghost bikes were created in St Louis, Missouri in 2003. Currently there are over 610 ghost bikes that have since appeared in over 210 locations throughout the world. Philip’s younger brother Jim (36) told the Limerick Post that he hopes their ghost bike will highlight the importance of road safety and influence cyclists in the city to wear helmets.
“We are putting this ghost bike at the spot Philip was killed, for two months, in his memory and to make drivers aware that cyclists have a right to the road too. I would also like to strongly urge cyclists to please wear helmets,” Jim commented.
“Philip was my best friend. I miss him every day of the week. He would do anything for anyone and he loved his family so much. His daughter Katie just turned eight and misses her dad very much,” he said.
A native of Annacotty, Philip was commissioned in 2011 to restore and customise two Honda 50 motorbikes painted in Limerick colours which featured prominently in an 11850 TV advert. The campaign paid homage to the ‘Nifty 50’ as it is better known. Mr McCormack rescued the motorbikes, restored them to their former glory, helped shoot the television advert and even featured in it.
“He was a gifted guy, really good with his hands, and he loved bicycles and motorbikes,” his brother Jim revealed.
Originally from Garryowen, Philip is survived by parents Jim and Eileen; daughter Katie; brothers Martin, John and Jim; and sisters Kay, Avril, Jennifer, Vivienne and Gillian. His sister Jennifer described her late brother as “fantastic father and a great son”.
Philip’s family have also taken some small comfort in the fact that Philip’s organs, which were donated for transplant following his passing, have helped save lives. A ghost bike in the well-known Limerick man’s memory will be situated near the Kilmurry Roundabout for the next two months.
