Ride of Silence
Arlington Heights
Bicycle Club participates in international Ride of Silence May 20, 2009
The ride is 7:00PM on Wednesday May 20, 2009 and is a 10 mile loop; starting and ending location is Recreation Park, 500 E Miner St, Arlington Heights. at 7:00PM on Wednesday May 20, 2009.
Riders are requested to arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of the ride.
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. In 2008, world-wide 7,955 riders participated at 299 locations. See http://www.rideofsilence.org for information regarding other locations.
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.
In 2009 we honor the nearly 700 cyclists who die each year in traffic accidents in the United States with an additional 44,000 injuries annually.[1] Additional information is available by sending an email to rideofsilence@cyclearlington.com [1] Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Association www.nhtsa.gov DOT HS 810 986
