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.
