Without a word, the Ride of Silence and its idea spread their way around the world. Cyclists of all types gather with their bicycles and one another, to share a moment of silence. The sentiment is one of mourning. This "funerary procession" is an annually recurring, moving, monument to cyclists who have passed, or been injured, in motor vehicle related accidents. During the ride, armbands of red and black are worn. The black representing cyclists who have died upon the roads. The red representing those injured.



The message of the moving demonstration is that cyclists have a legal, and equal, right to share the road with motor vehicles, and that beyond that legal right, cars, trucks, buses, and vehicles of all types need to be aware that we, as cyclists, are operating a vehicle entitled to just as much respect on the road as any motorized vehicle. This ride is to bring to light that life is too precious to taken by careless or, worse yet, reckless driving. The Ride of Silence is held to honor the fallen and to remind drivers that their actions do indeed have consequences. It also functions to reinforce that road rage, or just plain poor driving will no longer be tolerated.

The way that this message is manifests itself is in the form of a slow, respectful, and completely silent ride through local neighborhoods. Traveling at a pace of no more then 12 mph, the participants are asked to observe the rules of the road thereby demonstrating proper riding etiquette in order to foster a more accepting riding environment.

To find out where you can join next year's ride visit:
www.rideofsilence.org