I caught wind of The Ride of Silence event just a week after the ride in Atlanta in 2007 and kicked myself.

The intent of the ride is to bring awareness to cyclists on roadways in a different manner than the quiet yellow “Share the Road” and “Slow Down” signs. It’s a short group ride, friendly to all levels of cyclists where no words are spoken. The rides usually travel high profile roads, with the participants donning black armbands to remember those cyclists who have been injured or killed in a bike v auto incident.

Publicity was virtually nonexistent, which perplexed me since I like to think of Atlanta as a cycling kind of town – what with the boys in their lycra kits up and down Highland and the fixies without helmets a plenty. Admittedly the issue hit close to home for a number of reasons – not the least of which are my brother who was nearly killed after being hit by a drunk driver in broad daylight, or the man I saw hit by a teen on the phone near the CVS on Highland a few years back.

So I jumped in. I offered to organize the ride last year and we had a better turn out than years previous. Before the ride, those gathered share their stories, and we have a few moments of silence. The stories are touching and compelling and gut wrenching, and because of them – on top of my existing reasons – I’m doing it again this year. I’m hoping to see our numbers double, and awareness rise.

If you live in Atlanta and have a bike – beach comber or fixie, mountain bike or road, with a kiddie wagon behind you or not – I hope you’ll come out.

To stay in touch, join the facebook group and/or RSVP to the event. I’d love to see you there.

DATE: May 20, 2009
TIME: 7:00 pm
WHERE: Hundreds of locations world wide – In Atlanta meet at Piedmont Park – corner of 10th and Charles Allen.

On May 21, 2008, at 7:00 PM, the Ride of Silence™ will begin in North America and roll across the globe. Cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn’t aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves.

In 2003, Chris Phelan organized the first Ride Of Silence in Dallas after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was hit by the mirror of a passing bus and was killed.

The Ride Of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph and remain silent during the ride. There is no brochure, no sponsors, no registration fees and no t-shirt. The ride, which is held during Bike Safety month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also a chance to show respect for those who have been killed or injured.

For Atlanta riders, we’ll meet at Charles Allen & 10th at 6:45pm. Please wear a black armband to honor those who have fallen, we’ll have some on hand as well. We’ll have a sheet you can sign to indicate if you’re riding in memory of someone in particular. A few words will be said, then our ride will leave promptly at 7pm.

If you have any questions, just ping me, I’m the one attempting to coordinate the ride. Facebook junkie? We’re there too, join the group so we can know to expect you.

Here’s the route we’ll be taking: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Ride-of-Silence