A council is standing by its decision to remove a “ghost bike” memorial marking the site where a young cyclist was killed.

The roadside tribute was from Bricycles, Brighton and Hove’s cycling group, to 23-year-old James Danson-Hatcher.

He died after being involved in an accident with a car when cycling home from Devil’s Dyke in April 2007.

Brighton and Hove City Council removed the roadside tribute on safety grounds at the request of Sussex Police.

They feared the painted white bike was distracting drivers.

Bricycles is angry that no prior notice was given.

Tony Green, of the cycle group, said: “We didn’t realise it had been taken away until recently. I don’t understand why it should be removed.

“We’ve not had a negative comment about it - we’ve only had positive feedback. We even had a card from James’ mother supporting what we were doing.”

The tribute had stood by the junction of Devil’s Dyke Road and Saddlescombe Road for about a year.

It was placed by Bricycles in December 2007 after the inquest into James’ death.

The memorial was intended to remind motorists that cyclists use the road.

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: “Police had witnessed near-misses as cars stopped on this busy stretch of country road and people got out to look at tributes left at the scene.

“There was nothing on the bicycle to identify who placed it there or to whom it belonged.

“The bicycle is being stored at our Cityclean depot should Bricycles wish to reclaim it. The council has a policy of removing roadside tributes on safety grounds after 12 weeks – the same as in West Sussex and East Sussex.”

White, or ghost, bikes first appeared in St Louis, Missouri, in the US in 2003.

They have since appeared around the world.

Bikes are painted white before being locked to a lamp post or sign near the site of a fatal accident.

A sign giving details of the accident and the person killed is usually attached.

Should the ghost bike have been kept at the site? Tell us what you think below.