WHO: Any and all cyclists who legally share the road (road, mountain, recreational, race, triathlon)

WHAT: The world-wide Ride of Silence Bike Ride. This is a free ride that asks cyclists to ride no faster than 12 miles per hour (a minimum of 8 mph) and remain silent for the duration of the hour-long ride.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 15, 2013, 7:00 pm

WHERE: Ride will begin and end at Lincoln Avenue Cycling in Goshen, Indiana (430 W Lincoln Ave., Goshen, IN 46526)

WHY:

• To mourn those cyclists already killed by a motorist.
• To raise awareness (among motorists, police, and city officials) of cyclists on the road.
• To have motorists know that we as cyclists only want to share the road we ride on. 

On the third Wednesday in May, at 7:00 pm, cyclists around the world will take part in the silent ride in memory of those cyclists who have been hit and/or killed by distracted or careless motorists and to bring attention to the public that we share the road.

Chris Phelan organized the first Ride of Silence in 2003 in Dallas after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was killed, having been struck by the mirror of a passing bus on an otherwise empty road.

The hope is to raise awareness, during bike safety month, of motorists, police, traffic engineers, insurance companies, and city officials. The ride is also a chance to mourn, in the manor of a funeral procession, those who have already been killed.

Participants are encouraged to bring photos of those who they know that have been lost and to wear black armbands. Helmets are required and lights are recommended for those who may be riding home after the ride.

Last year there were over 300 rides in the US, in all 50 states, and in countries on all seven continents.

For more information on the local ride, please contact Danny Jones at dannythebikeguy@yahoo.com or  visit the web site www.rideofsilence.org and check out the “locations” link.

Thanks to Danny Graber for the information.

Sharrows Lane Marking

Mayor Pete Buttigieg will dedicate South Bend’s first shared lane markings at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 7 on Colfax Avenue, near the intersection of Colfax and Lafayette Boulevard. The Mayor will also proclaim May as “Bike Month.”

Shared lane markings, popularly known as “sharrows,” are pavement markings consisting of a chevron above a bike symbol. These markings assist bicyclists to properly position themselves to safely share the travel lane with automobiles, especially to reduce the chance of hitting the open door of a parked vehicle. The shared lane markings also clearly indicate to bicyclists and motorists that they are traveling along a designated bicycle route.

“The installation of sharrows mark another step forward in South Bend’s identity as a bicycle friendly city,” said Mayor Buttigieg. “The City continues to support bicycle improvements that provide an environmentally sensitive commuting option, a recreational amenity, and an economic development driver, as businesses and citizens increasingly seek places with a strong bicycle infrastructure.”

The City of South Bend plans to install shared lane markings this year along at least the following two streets:

• Colfax Avenue (from Lafayette Boulevard to LaPorte Avenue)
• Twyckenham Drive (from Wall Street to Hildreth Street)

The shared lane markings will bridge gaps between dedicated bicycle lanes on both of the streets, two of South Bend’s most popular bicycle routes.

“The Bike Michiana Coalition is thrilled to see that the City of South Bend remains a bicycle planning leader with the installation of shared lane markings,” said Judy Lee, President of the Bike Michiana Coalition. “Not only do the markings enhance the safety and comfort of cyclists,   but, more importantly, they also assist in our continuing efforts to educate both cyclists and motorists about sharing the road.”

South Bend was named as a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists in 2010. That designation, the first for any community in Northern Indiana, was renewed in 2012. The South Bend Bikeway, the City’s network of bicycle routes, presently spans over 60 miles, with long-term plans to add an additional 35 miles.

Michiana Bike to Work Week encourages bicycle commuters to ride to work during the week of May 13 to 19, with the goal of having riders exceed 35,000 total miles. For more information, visit www.MichianaBiketoWork.org. In conjunction with Bike to Work Week the LaSalle Grille will sponsor a blueberry pancake breakfast free to those on a bike on Tuesday, May 14 from 7 to 9 a.m. On Friday, May 17 from 12 to 1 p.m. Fiddler’s Health will have box lunches available for pre-order at $8.50. Call 574-232-2853 for more information.

Bike the Bend is now registering participants for its fourth annual ride, which takes place from 6:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday, May 19. For more information, visit www.BiketheBend.com.

Now in its 5th year of operation, school-based classes have already been held at Tarkington Primary Center.   For the second year in a row, a training also took place on April 8 at the Center for the Homeless for the adult population there whom often rely on their own bikes or a bike sharing program at the Center for transportation.    McKinley and Muessel Primary Centers and Kennedy Academy are also planning on participating in the program over the next several weeks.  McKinley School is scheduled for this coming Monday, April 15 from 1-2 p.m., and Kennedy Academy scheduled for Thursday, April 25.  Each participating school receives complimentary new helmets for each 3^rd grade student as part of the program.   Several of the schools are also provided additional helmets to compliment bicycle give-away programs that serve as an incentive for reading, citizenship, math performance, or perfect attendance initiatives within the entire school population.  McKinley and Muessel are area schools that offer incentive programs.

A main emphasis of the program is the use of a proper fitting helmet for all ages, at all times when riding a bike.    Nearly 70% of all bicycle injuries involve children, resulting annually in approximately 600,000 ER visits, 17,000 hospitalizations and 1200 deaths.  With education, bicycle related injuries and death can be avoided, or at least minimized.

Both bicycling advocacy groups encourage students and adults throughout our community to connect up to other safe biking activities during Bike Month, including Michiana Bike to Work & School Week which is scheduled for May 13-19, and Bike the Bend, Sunday, May 19.   For more information on these upcoming events, please visit www.michianabiketowork.org  or www.bikethebend.com.    Area SBCSC school principals are encouraged to contact either Judy Lee (586-3472) or Jo M. Broden (289-0401) to arrange for a bike safety class yet this year or to schedule for 2014.