ride of silence.

[Brandi]

I went to the ride of silence site... it made me so sad! And a bit scared. There are so many. I am so upset now!

[Trek420]

Brandi,

I went to the ride itself last year, it was very moving but also uplifting.

I was surprised how many people, pedestrians, drivers, cyclists not on the ride...were aware of this as we rode by. So it raises awareness and that helps drivers remember "there's a person on that bike".

[LBTC]

I got choked up reading about it last night. Could barely get the words out to tell DH about the one that's nearby. If I'm moved that much just reading about the ride, I *have* to do it. I won't be surprised if some tears escape during the ride, too.

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[twin]

I rode one in Tulsa Ok. and it was very great to see the long line of bicycle riders that came. For the most part the cars and people were polite and seemed interested in the idea. It is sad when you go to the site and read about the people that the rides are dedicated to. I think it helps make everyone more aware which is very positive.

[crazycanuck]

I'd love to this ride however there isn't one planned for Perth. I wonder if how many folks would come if I emailed the organizers & then put the word out?

I'll look at the site again & see what I can do.

c

[Tri Girl]

I did the Ride of Silence in OKC last year, and it was pretty amazing. Amazing that hundreds of people could ride in complete and total silence, amazing that bystanders and cars were polite and patient, amazing that we all rode to honor the memories of those who can no longer ride.
The site is very sad indeed, I just cried and cried when I went there.

[Tri Girl]

I'd love to this ride however there isn't one planned for Perth. I wonder if how many folks would come if I emailed the organizers & then put the word out?

I'll look at the site again & see what I can do.

c

You should definitely look into it!!! They said the first year they held the ride here, it was just a small group. Now it's hundreds of riders that show up. You could put posters up in local LBS's, post it on local cycling boards, and even hand out flyers at races (both running and cycling). Good for you for taking the bull by the horns (as us Okies might say).

[mtbdarby]

I contacted my lbs to see if he would help me put it on. He's interested and we'll talk. Hoping to get one going in central WI...

[Aint Doody]

We did one, and I organized it. It's sooooo easy to put together. People want to participate. We all wore buttons with a lady's picture on it who'd been killed by a motorist in our area. It's very moving, and it does make people realize that those "cyclists" are flesh & blood.

[Thistle]

I'd love to this ride however there isn't one planned for Perth. I wonder if how many folks would come if I emailed the organizers & then put the word out?

I'll look at the site again & see what I can do.

c

same for canberra, there's nothing organised. but i think i'll contact our local bike group and if they dont have any plans, i might try and organise one... even if only amongst my friends.

[crazycanuck]

I'm def going to organize one here. I emailed our Tri coach to see if anyone would join. I'm going to a couple of bike shops today & my fave lbs to see if they can suggest anything.

Great idea and keeping my fingers crossed folks will come.

I sure hope the folks in the east won't mind answering a few q's...will give them a ring today.

c

[markpedal]

I'm def going to organize one here. I emailed our Tri coach to see if anyone would join. I'm going to a couple of bike shops today & my fave lbs to see if they can suggest anything.

Great idea and keeping my fingers crossed folks will come.

I sure hope the folks in the east won't mind answering a few q's...will give them a ring today.

c

Hey crazycanuck and Thistle; GO FOR IT. Organize Rides in Canberra & Perth.

As one of the Mentors for the Ride, if you can't get a local club or shop to organize a Ride in your area, organize it yourself. I will talk you through the organizational process and provide a guideline on 'how to'. I've helped dozens of locations in the USA and a few abroad organize a Ride for the 1st time. Numerous locations have held successful Ride's within a month's time frame.

Hopefully everyone here will participate in a Ride of Silence in your area, one the most rewarding experiences a cyclist can have. If anyone has contacted a club in your area about organizing a Ride, and they're not responding, please let me know, and I will be more than happy to contact them on behalf of the Ride. That is part of my role on the R of S board.

Email your state's governing body and ask that they support & promote the Ride within your state and to all their affiliated clubs and organizations. (I've included a list of organizations I written to this year, so pick your state's organization, google their address and send them an email)

We currently have 150 locations, in 5 countries, on 4 continents confirmed, with the list growing almost daily. We plan to exceed last years 250+ locations, and are hopeful we'll be over 300 this year. I know of dozens of locations who've agreed to hold-organize a Ride, but have yet to register, many still working on their details.

So see you all on May 16th, at 7 PM, May 19th at 10 AM in the southern hemisphere, in remembering our friends and to make the road safer for cyclists world wide.

markpedal
Ride of Silence, National Board Member
Ride of Silence, Mentor & Club Communications
Ride of Silence, Michigan Director
Ride of Silence, 2005-07 Grand Rapids MI Ride Organizer
http://www.rideofsilence.org
Mark.Hagar@rideofsilence.org

STATE USA Organizations Ride of Silence info emailed to:
AL Alabama Bicycle Coalition
AR Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas
AR Bike Arkansas
AR Cycling Arkansas
AZ Coalition of Arizona Cyclists
CA Bay Area Bicycle Coalition
CA Bike Alameda
CA Bike Bakersfield
CA California Association of Bicycling Organizations
CA California Bicycle Coalition
CA East Bay Bicycle Coalition
CA Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition
CA Marin County Bicycle Coalition
CA Peninsula Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition
CA People Power
CA Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates
CA San Diego County Bicycle Coalition
CA San Francisco Bicycle Coalition
CA San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition
CA Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition
CA Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition
CA Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition
CA South Valley Bicycle Coalition
CO Bicycle Colorado
CO BikeDenver
CO Friends of Fort Collins Bicycle Program
CT Central Connecticut Bicycle Alliance
CT Connecticut Bicycle Coalition
DC Washington Area Bicycle Association
DE Delaware Bicycle Council
FL Florida Bicycle Association
FL Naples Pathways Coalition
GA Bike Roswell
GA Georgia Bikes
GA Southern Bicycle League
GA The Atlanta Bicycle Campaign
HI Hawaii Bicycling League
IA Iowa Bicycle Coalition
IA Iowa Bicycle Racing Association
IL Chicagoland Bicycle Federation
IL Illinois Cycling Association
IL League of Illinois Bicyclists
IN Indiana Bicycle Coalition
KS Kansas Cycling Association
KY Bicycling for Louisville
LA Metro Bicycle Coalition (of New Orleans)
MA Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition
ME Bicycle Coalition of Maine
MI League of Michigan Bicyclists
MI Michigan Bicycle Racing Association
ML Maryland Campaign for Biking & Walking
MN Minnesota Cycling Federation
MN Minnesota State Bicycle Advisory Committee
MO Missouri Bicycle Federation
MO Missouri Bicycle Racing Association
MO Saint Louis Regional Bicycle Federation
MO STLBiking
MS Bike Walk Mississippi
MT Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation
NE Nebraska Cycling Association
NC B.I.K.E.S. the Voice of Bicycle Advocacy for Charlotte-Mecklendburg
NC North Carolina Coalition for Bicycle Driving
ND North Dakota Cycling Federation
NH Bike-Walk Alliance of New Hampshire
NH Seacoast Area Bicycle Routes
NM Bicycle Coalition of New Mexico
NM Bike ABQ
NV Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition
NY NY Bicycle Coalition
NY Transportation Alternatives (NYC area)
OH Central Ohio Bicycle Advocacy Coalition
OH Ohio Bicycle Federation
OK Oklahoma Bicycle Coalition
OR Bicycle Transportation Alliance
PA Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia
PA Bike Pittsburgh
RI Bike Downtown – Providence Bike Network
SC Charleston Moves
SC Palmetto Cycling Coalition
TN Bike Chattanooga
TX Austin Cycling Association
TX BikeHouston
TX Texas Bicycle Coalition
USA America Bikes
USA Bicycle Retailer and Industry News
USA Bikes Belong Coalition
USA League of American Bicyclists
USA National Bicycle Dealers Association
USA The National Center for Bicycling & Walking
USA Thunderhead Alliance
USA USA Cycling
USA Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective
UT Utah Bicycle Coalition
VA Bike/Walk Virginia
VA Virginia Bicycle Federation
VT Vermont Pedestrian & Bicycle Coalition
VT Local Motion, greater Burlington
WA Bicycle Alliance of Washington
WI Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin
WI Wisconsin Cycling Association
WV Positive Spin

STATE Australian Organizations Ride of Silence info emailed to:
ACT Pedal Power Act (Australian Capitol Territory)
AUS Australian Cyclist Magazine
AUS Australian Institute of Sport – Cycling
AUS Australian Veteran Cycling Council
AUS Bicycle Australia
AUS Bicycle Federation of Australia
AUS Bicycles.Net.AU
AUS Cycling Australia
AUS Wheels of Justice
NSW Bicycle NSW (New South Wales)
NT BicycleNT (North Territory)
QLD Bicycle Queensland
QLD EaSTBUG Inc
SA Bicycle Institute of South Australia
SA Bicycle South Australia
TAS Bicycle Tasmania
VIC Boroodara BUG
VIC CycleSport Victoria
VIC Darebin Bug
VIC The Vintage Cycle Club of Victoria
VIC Wheels of Justice
WA Bicycle Transportation Alliance (Western Australia)
WA Cyclists’ Action Group (Western Australia)

PROV Canadian Organizations Ride of Silence info emailed to:
AB Alberta Bicycling Association
BC BC Cycling
BC British Columbia Cycling Association
CAN Canadian Cycling Association
CAN Pedal Magazine
MB Manitoba Cycling Association
NB Velo New Brunswick
NL Bicycle Newfoundland & Labrador
NS Bicycle Nova Scotia
ON Ontario Cycling Association
ON Bike Toronto
PEI Cycling Prince Edward Island
QB Quebec Cycling Federation (French only)
QB Velo Quebec
SK Saskatchewan Cycling Association
YT Cycling Association of Yukon

Worldwide Organizations Ride of Silence info emailed to:
BALTIC Baltic Cycle, The
BEL Pro Velo, Brussels
ENG Cycling England
ENG Everyday Cycling, England
ENG Manchester Cycle Forum
ENG Mole Valley Cycling Forum (Surrey County)
EURO European Cyclists’ Federation
EURO Velo.Info, European
GRE Friends of the Bicycle, Greece
INT International Bicycle Fund
INT Union Cycliste Internationale
INT Velo Mondial, Global
IRE Cycling Ulster
IRE Dublin Cycling Campaign
ITAL Italian Federation of Urban Cyclists, The
JAP Japan Bicycle Promotional Institute
JAP Japan Cycling Navigator
LUX Cyclists’ Union of Luxembourg
NAM Bicycling Empowered Network, Namibia
NETH Dutch Cyclists’ League
NETH Dutch Cyclists’ Union
NETH Interface for Cycling Expertise, the Netherlands
NZ Cycle Advocate’s Network, New Zealand
RUS Russian Cycle Touring Club
SA Bicycling Empowered Network, South Africa
SCOT Cycling Scotland
SCOT Spokes.org.uk, The Lothian Cycle Campaign
SWI World Cycling Center, Switzerland
UK British Cycling
UK CTC, United Kingdom
UK Cycle Campaign Network
UK CyclingPlus,
UK Cyclists Touring Club
UK CyclingPlus Forums

[Jo-n-NY]

My friend and I rode the ROS with a club last year. The club we belong to this year, closer to home and I am now Corresponding Secretary never heard of it until I mentioned it. We are in the process of putting the ride together for this year. I did register our ride on the ROS site.

I which there was a sticker with the logo available, even for purchase to give out to the riders. If there is anything like this available and I am missing it?

~ JoAnn

[Geonz]

SHouldn't be too hard to get labels and make one and print 'em out.
Tornadoes kept us from having a small one last year. (There were still five folks who came out ... ) This year I am sure we will get a bigger turnout, unfortunately (because of the cycling fatalities of the past year, including the one with the notorious ringtone downloading Jenifer).

[DrBee]

I just emailed our local group to see if there is anyone interested here in Baton Rouge. Hopefully so. Having been nearly squished by a car myself, this hits home. There have been a number of cyclists killed here in BR. I hope we can get it up and running.