The Ride of Silence

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Posted: 9:35 AM May 20, 2008
Last Updated: 9:48 AM May 20, 2008
Reporter: Audrey Washington

5 comments

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On the third Wednesday of May, at 7 PM local time around the world, cyclists will take to the roads in a silent protest of the carnage taking place on the streets. Chris Phelan organized the first Ride of Silence in Dallas, Texas in 2003 after endurance cyclists Larry Schwartz was killed by a passing bus mirror on an empty road.

The Ride of Silence is a free ride that asks cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph and remain silent during the ride.

The ride hopes to raise cycling awareness for cycling safety and cyclists’ right to the road during bike safety among motorists, police, and city officials. The ride is also a chance to mourn, in funeral procession style, those who have already been killed. The ride also requests black arm bands be worn, red if you have had a bike/motor vehicle accident.

The Ride of Silence in Greenville, NC will take place on May 21, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. The group willl depart from the Bicycle Post parking lot on Cotanche Street and will travel approximately 9 miles of Greenville’s busiest streets. The Greenville Police Department will escort and provide ensured safety and visibility for the ride.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: J Location: Greenville on May 21, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Our auto tax does not cover the cost of the roads (e.g., Fed highway dollars), though cars and trucks do essentially all of the road wear. Do pedestrians pay a tax to cross a road? In any case, by law bicycles have the right to use the road. There are some riders who don't follow the rules of the road (which is annoying and dangerous), just as there are drivers, the difference is that a car is much more likely to kill someone if driven irresponsibly. We would all benefit through driving and cycling education and thoughtful use of the road. If each of us showed common respect to all road users we would safely enjoy the priverledged freedom cycling and driving provide us. Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians successfully share the road in many places around the world. Should we not try to do it here in Greenville, too?

Posted by: Chris Location: Greenville on May 20, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Oh, Just Great!!! Cyclists putting themselves in harm's way to protest putting themselves in harm's way.Which brainiac concocted this plan; Moe, Larry , or Curly? Does a cyclist pay any sort of road tax? What gives them the right to use roads built for cars? They are just another aggrivation while driving.

Posted by: TT Location: Greenville on May 20, 2008 at 03:41 PM
Please everyone should give the safest protection to our cyclist. Bikes are a great way to enjoy life.

Posted by: Anonymous on May 20, 2008 at 01:59 PM
Good ideas Rick. I think it would be great seeing more people take bicycle travel up.

Posted by: Rick Location: Washington on May 20, 2008 at 12:12 PM
I hope this event helps prompt our Department of Transportation to make our roads more user friendly for both bicycles and motor vehicles. It would be great to see a policy that guarantees at least an extra 3-4 feet of very clearly marked width added to any new or resurfaced roadway design to accommodate cyclists. This is especially important on roads our DOT has already signed as bicycle touring routes. Some of these roads are very curvy and narrow even for motor vehicles. I believe more safe bicycle paths would encourage bicycle travel, reduce fossil fuel needs, and help family budgets.

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