Rick C Johnson

An update on the Brett's Ghost Bike story.

Bradford posted this to BikePortland:

> bradford
> February 16th, 2008 14:3
>
>
>
> hello there.
>
> i did steal the bike to ride it. i heard mention of meth use or
> possible pranking, but i assure you that this was not the case. as a
> relative newcomer to portland i took what seemed like an innocent
> solution to my transportation predicament, a free bike. as previously
> mentioned, i didnt consider the effects of stealing the bike until
> they were made apparent.
>
> i cannot take the credit for its return. someone suggested a parental
> unit was my motivation, which also was not the case. fortunately, for
> my sake as well as the memorials, i am surrounded by a great group of
> friends here in portland, as they are surrounded by a great community
> which is all of you. my companions initiated any thought process of
> mine that led to the bike's return. i can now see what i did in full
> light, and do assure you that i feel like a complete chump to
> disrespect all of you so blatantly.
>
> while flattered, i must agree that i do not deserve any
> street-crime-door-prize. i do not deserve a bicycle anymore than any
> other pedestrian one might encounter. i am sorry for my actions, and
> in no way did i intend for them to be so publicised, though i have
> made my peace and am not ashamed.
>
> feel free to contact me bradfordpreATyahoo.com
>
> hi robin.
>
> -bradford
>
I replied to him directly:

> Hi Bradford,
> My name if Rick Johnson. You might recognize it from Jonathan's story,
> so I think that makes my place in this obvious. I wanted to let you
> know that through the OBRA forum
> I received multiple private
> replies with offers to assist you to get some wheels (there was one of
> which that was even a complete bike).
> I think you should consider accepting. I respect your feelings about
> not deserving a "street crime door prize", but that's not what it's
> about. Far from it - after all we're surrounded by petty crime every
> day. And while much of the attention comes out of the uncommon
> occurrence of something stolen being returned, that is not really what
> it's about either. What it is about is the simple recognition that
> there is someone out in the world that needs something that is in our
> power to provide. Something that will perhaps in a small way make the
> world a better place - "playing it forward" as it were.
> I didn't know Brett. I don't even live in Portland anymore so it's
> unlikely we'll ever even meet. But one thing I think is that if it
> were me in Brett's place I would think that the Ghost bike - while
> touching in it's own way - is really something of greatest benefit to
> the healing of his friends. However, in Brett's place, I would be most
> moved by those same friends reaching out a helping hand to someone in
> need.
> Bradford, only you know the motivations for what you did. Only we know
> our motivations for what we do. None of knows the future or where this
> will lead. But right now, if it will help you, we are here to do our
> part.
>
> If you choose to accept our help contact me and I will do my best to
> put you in touch with some of the people concerned.
>
> Rick