Bike to Heaven

Bike to Heaven is a fourteen-metre monument in Prague dedicated to cyclists killed on the city's streets. It stands at the intersection of Dukelských hrdinů street and nábřeží Kapitána Jaroše in the Prague 7-Holešovice district, at the exact spot where cycling activist Jan Bouchal died in 2006. Unveiled in 2013, the structure doubles as a working street lamp and a piece of public sculpture, making it one of the most distinctive memorials in Prague's public space.

Who does the monument commemorate?

Bike to Heaven honors Jan "Pup" Bouchal (1975-2006), co-founder of Auto*Mat, an organization promoting cycling and alternatives to car traffic in Prague. Bouchal was struck and killed by a car at this exact intersection in 2006. The monument is not dedicated to him alone, however: an inscription on its base states that it is dedicated to "Pup and all cyclists who died in the streets of Prague."

What does the monument look like, and who designed it?

The project came from Czech artist and sculptor Krištof Kintera, working with collaborators Richard Wiesner, Anna Bürgermeisterová and Rastislav Juhás. The monument takes the form of a fourteen-metre, fully functional street lamp, with a bicycle mounted vertically near the top, at a height of eleven metres, its wheel pointing skyward. The whole structure is coated in shining palladium, and the upper section, with cross-shaped arms carrying reflectors, can rotate in the wind along with the bicycle. Near eye level, on the lower part of the column, a black metal band carries an engraved inscription in Czech and English commemorating Bouchal.

Where did the idea come from, and who paid for it?

The idea of memorializing cycling accident victims in Prague dates back to 2007, when a design competition was won by artist David Černý. His concept could not be built, however, due to difficulties obtaining the necessary permits, and Krištof Kintera's design was ultimately selected for construction instead. The monument was funded through a public collection and unveiled on 9 September 2013, after years of campaigning by Prague's cycling community for a proper memorial.

Why does this spot matter to cyclists in Prague?

The intersection of Dukelských hrdinů and nábřeží Kapitána Jaroše is one of the busier traffic junctions on the right bank of the Vltava, near Prague's Veletržní palác and the Holešovice exhibition district. The monument serves as a reminder of the risks that still come with cycling in a large city, while also becoming an informal symbol of Prague's urban cycling community, closely tied to Auto*Mat's ongoing work for safer cycling infrastructure.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly does Bike to Heaven stand? At the intersection of Dukelských hrdinů street and nábřeží Kapitána Jaroše, in the Prague 7-Holešovice district.

Who does Bike to Heaven commemorate? Jan "Pup" Bouchal, co-founder of Auto*Mat, killed at this spot in 2006, along with all cyclists who have died on Prague's streets.

Who designed the monument? Sculptor Krištof Kintera, together with Richard Wiesner, Anna Bürgermeisterová and Rastislav Juhás.

When was the monument unveiled? On 9 September 2013.

How tall is the monument? It stands fourteen metres tall, with the bicycle mounted at a height of eleven metres.

Does the monument serve any function besides being a memorial? Yes, the structure works as an active street lamp, and its upper section with reflectors rotates in the wind.