Ride of Silence, May 16th, needs organizers across Missouri

The Missouri Bicycle Federation has encouraged local groups to organize a Ride of Silence in communities around Missouri over the past several years. The ride has been growing in numbers each year.

Now is the time to think about organizing a Ride of Silence in your community this year. Ths ride will be held May 16th, 2007.

Here are more details about the ride and the reasons for it:

My name is Mark Hagar and I am with the Ride of Silence, the ride that honors cyclists who’ve been injured or killed by motorists while riding, and who’s goal is to help educate motorists and the public that we as cyclists have the same rights and must follow the same rules, so please Share the Road with us. The 2007 Ride of Silence will take place globally on Wed. May 16th, at 7:00 PM. Please help support the Ride by promoting it to all of your affiliated clubs. Currently MO has 5 confirmed locations on our website for this years Ride. With your support, hopefully there will be numerous Rides all over MO, including Saint Louis and will continue to grow up until the Ride.

If you are unfamiliar with the Ride of Silence, below is a brief history;

* In 2003 endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz is struck and killed by the mirror of a passing bus while cycling outside of Dallas. His good friend & Coach Chris Phelan organized a memorial ride in Dallas on May 18th, titled the Ride of Silence, a slow paced silent 12 mile ride to honor/remember his friend. In just a 10 day period, via email and word of mouth, over 1,000 cyclists attend. Chris thought he had closure.

* Word spread about the Ride. Chris began to get enquiries from cyclists in other cities on holding a Ride of Silence. A grassroots movement takes place.

* In 2004, Rides of Silences take place on May 18th at 7:00 PM in 50 cities in the U.S. and Canada. The Dallas Ride has 2,500 cyclists attending. It’s written up in Bicycling magazine.

* Chris actively promotes the Ride. A board of directors is in place. A copyright is applied for the Ride of Silence name.

* In 2005, Rides of Silences take place on Wed. May 18th at 7:00 PM in over 100 U.S cities, 150+ worldwide, in 9 countries, on 4 continents. The Dallas ride again has 2,500 cyclists. The Dallas City Council issues a proclamation that May 18th 2005 is The Ride of Silence Day.

* In 2006, Rides of Silences take place in over 200 U.S cities, 250+ worldwide on Wed. May 17th at 7:00 PM, in 8 countries, across 5 continents. The Dallas ride has close to 3,000 cyclists. The Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists Andy Clarke and board member Preston Tyree attend the Dallas ride. The board applies for and receives non-profit status as an organization.

This is NOT a Critical Mass Ride. There’s no shirts or items for sale, there’s no fee or registration. Each ride is approximately 10-12 miles long, is ridden at a 12 MPH pace, and is Silent. It’s not just a club ride. It’s a ride for Moms, Dads, brothers & sisters, family & friends, beginning cyclists to the racers, anyone who wishes to honor a fellow cyclist that has been killed or injured by a motorist while out riding and to let them know they MUST Share the Road with us. Participants are asked to wear a black arm band to honor a cyclist who’s been killed, and/or a red arm band to honor a cyclist that has been injured. The Ride’s date purposely coincides with National Bike Safety Month and Week. Many locations involve local law enforcement agencies.

To learn more about the R of S, please visit the website below. Thanks for any support you can provide and in helping to make the road safer for all cyclists.

Sincerely,
Mark

Mark Hagar
Ride of Silence, Board Member
Ride of Silence, Mentor
Ride of Silence, Michigan Director
Ride of Silence, 2005-07 Grand Rapids MI Ride Organizer
http://www.rideofsilence.org
Mark.Hagar[at]rideofsilence.org
616 987-9198