Last evening, the 10th Annual Ride of Silence rolled across the globe.
And I do mean literally … across the globe!
This year’s Ride of Silence (ROS) was held in 368 locations around the world, in all 50 states, and in 26 countries.
During the ROS, cyclists take to the roads in silent processions 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.
The Ride of Silence organization exists
- To HONOR those who have been injured or killed
- To RAISE AWARENESS that we are here
- To ask that we all SHARE THE ROAD
We held the first Ride of Silence in the City of Radford in 2008, after the death of Fess Green. Fess was a Radford University professor, and an active member of Pathways for Radford and the New River Valley Bicycle Association. He commuted on his bicycle almost every day and was killed after being struck by a car on the way home one evening. In his honor and memory, the two organizations created a Ghost Bike which is displayed for a week before and after the ROS.
The 2013 Ride of Silence was the 6th one held in the New River Valley. Individuals, families and folks of all ages gathered to receive pre-ride instructions, and to hear a few words from local leaders and cycling advocates.
After a “Moment of Noise”, an opportunity to cheer and shout out our love for the ride, we descend into silence and begin our procession. In the New River Valley we are fortunate to have the support of our local governments, and in particular, the Radford City Police Department.
We ride silently, in a long slow procession to raise awareness … cyclists have a legal right to ride on public roadways.
We ride silently, to remember loved ones we have lost. It is a solemn, inspiring event.
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 
How very sad. Thanks for posting this, it actually brought back memories of a few dear friends killed on motorcycles.
The same lack of awareness of motor vehicle drivers who forget to share the road and be aware of bikes and cycles…..
You are so right … those who ride anything with two wheels are vulnerable!
This looks like an amazing event!
It truly is. I’m not sure I have the words to describe how powerful and tear inducing this ride is. As the organizers say “We all ride. Now we can ride as one. One day. One time. One world, world-wide. Let the silence roar”. Thanks for reading.
It’s sad that this man, a great supporter to the community, lost his life. I watch drivers around cyclists here in Edmonton and think how reckless they are. It’s too dangerous here, I think, to ride a bike to work during rush hour. Because of our long winters, there’s no commitment to make proper bike lanes for the short season. There are very few exceptions. Drivers here actually complain about cyclists and most are too impatient on the road. Great event to bring awareness, Bravo to the organizers.
Thanks for the shout out. We have a great group of folks who are committed to the event, growing it in terms of awareness and number of riders. And you are exactly right. Even during our Ride this year, we had people try to cut through the line of bikes and another complained about how long they were waiting for the bikes to pass by. I never thought about the long winters / no bike lanes problem.
LB, I’m embarrassed I’m a cyclist and never heard of this ride. Thanks for writing about it, and I will share.
Jim, I looked on the Ride of Silence website and Philadelphia holds a ride as well. And there may be one closer to you as well. It’s always the third Weds in May, at 7pm. The first time we held it here in Radford, most of us cried the entire time we rode.
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