Ride of Silence
2013 Ride of Silence
10th Annual scheduled for Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 7:00 pm
(Riders should begin gathering at 6:45 pm)
Ohio Statehouse (State Street side)
Downtown Columbus, OH
Program:
- Remarks by Brian Hagerty, PE, President of Consider Biking
- Ride of Silence Poem, Read by Jody Dzuranin, Consider Biking Staff
- Bagpipes by Scott Caputo
- Route: Ride in Silence to the North, East on Arcadia and back to downtown on Summit ROUTE LINK
Purpose
The Ride of Silence is a slow group ride, akin to a funeral procession, in total silence. The ride is a safe, responsible, professional and mature response to the aggressiveness, intimidation, and carnage that cyclists face on the roads we ride. It is a means to:
- Remember and mourn those killed by motorists,
- Raise awareness that our community has, and supports, a large population of cyclists,
- Show the public that cyclists are not going to stop riding on the roads,
- Point out that we ask for respect from motorists,
- Remind motorists that we wish only to SHARE the roads.
Local History
Seven years ago, the founding of our Ride of Silence, was not only a respectful education statement….but, more importantly, it was a conscious effort to kick-start our bicycle advocacy efforts (via COBAC/Consider Biking). And it's worked.
Seven years ago, the founding of our Ride of Silence, was not only a respectful education statement….but, more importantly, it was a conscious effort to kick-start our bicycle advocacy efforts (via COBAC/Consider Biking). And it's worked.
At the 2010 Ride, Mayor Coleman joined us and told the 750 assembled riders, that it was the first Ride of Silence that caught his attention. That opened the door for us to begin discussing the need for a comprehensive bike plan, and City's subsequent investment in bicycle accommodations. The Ride of Silence was the seed that developed the momentum we see today.
National History
In early May 2003, Larry Schwartz, a well-loved cyclist from Plano, Texas was struck by a school bus and killed. The Dallas area had experienced a number of cycling fatalities in the past year, and the local cyclists created the first Ride of Silence later that month to memorialize Larry and the others that had been killed by autos. With only 2 weeks notice, over 1,000 cyclists gathered for the memorial ride and created a media event to promote awareness of cyclists on the roads.
In early May 2003, Larry Schwartz, a well-loved cyclist from Plano, Texas was struck by a school bus and killed. The Dallas area had experienced a number of cycling fatalities in the past year, and the local cyclists created the first Ride of Silence later that month to memorialize Larry and the others that had been killed by autos. With only 2 weeks notice, over 1,000 cyclists gathered for the memorial ride and created a media event to promote awareness of cyclists on the roads.
In 2004, Larry's fiance' requested a handful of Larry's cycling frineds to carry the Ride of Silence to their local communities. Hence, the Ride of Silence was born in Columbus. In subsequent years, the event has spread nationwide and worldwide, with over 300 communities planning simultaneous Rides of Silence to occur the third Wednesday of May.
Riders wear armbands to represent a personal connection:
- Black armband – know, and mourn, a cyclist fatality with an auto,
- Red armband – for those that have been injured by a motorist.
This ride has no fee or registration and includes hundreds of cyclists from all niches of our community. Consider Biking is the primary organizer of the Ride of Silence; however, all allegiances have been dropped in the name of solidarity with all local cycling clubs, teams and bike retailers endorsing the Ride of Silence.
National web site – www.rideofsilence.org
