Join cyclists worldwide in a silent slow-paced ride (max 12 mph/20 kph) in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways. Meet at Sawyer/Snell Park (1st and South Streets). If your looking for a trail to ride there, the Salt Creek Levee Trail would get you close. Ride will go east to 17th St., then north to loop around the Capitol and traverse other downtown streets before returning to the start. It will be an easy approximately 8 mile ride. See the Ride of Silence website for background information.
I believe that we all have a certain responsibility to give back to the sports we enjoy, and tonight's ride is a great way to build awareness for cycling. I give back by being a volunteer Hunter Education instructor and by doing this blog to encourage others to spend time outdoors and to offer up a casual site, showing that you don't need to be a killer athlete or have the latest equipment or tons of time to enjoy the outdoors. Foremost, I hope that you'll make time to recreate outdoors, but secondly, I hope that you'll find a way to give back to the sports you love, either monetarily, through volunteer work or by awareness and encouragement.
Cycling accidents are a very real threat that we all need to keep in mind. Myles Davis Jr. and Ron Nelson are just two in the last couple of months right here in Lincoln.
THE RIDE OF SILENCE WILL NOT BE QUIET
On May 20, 2009, 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. (Read the full history here...)
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 and no registration fees. 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.
Cyclists injured or killed really make me sad. All too often they are the result of too little education, or wrong education, about safe cycling--or an attitude that believes cyclists are somehow outside the law. Too many cyclists don't stop at stop signs, they ride against traffic, they ride on the sidewalk, they ride out into the street without looking---and these are NOT just kids, they're adults too!
ReplyDeleteWe need to realize that a bicycle is a vehicle, not a toy. We need to know how to signal a turn, that riding against traffic is dangerous, that riding on a sidewalk is 2-4 times as dangerous as riding in the street. Too few people are teaching our kids this!! Too many parents are telling kids "Stay out of the way of cars!" by riding on the very edge of the road--which is an invitation to pass too close. And/or telling them to stay n the sidewalk, where they're safe. Do you knowthat 80% of the bike collisions in Lincoln happen to cyclists riding on sidewalks, even though only 40% of cyclists are on the sidewalk? That means you're twice as likely to get hit--kid or adult--if you're on the sidewalk, unless you're really, really careful! Take the League of American Bicyclists' course on cycling, or find an experienced cyclist who knows what s/he's talking about. Don't believe the myths!! You will NOT get hit from behind, most of the time--you'll get hit crossing in the crosswalk by a car turning!!