It’s a tragic fact that hundreds of cyclists die each year after being struck by vehicles. In 2014, 720 individuals across the country lost their lives after a collision with an automobile. Many thousands more survived the accidents with serious injuries. Unfortunately, we know all too well that cyclists in the Richmond Metro area are also injured or killed each year. They are gone but should not be forgotten. To that end, RABA is sponsoring a local ride as part of the National Ride of Silence event.
The Ride of Silence was started as a one time event in 2003 as a way of memorializing an individual who lost their life after being struck by a vehicle in Texas. It’s also a way of reducing injuries and fatalities by raising the awareness of motorists and the danger they pose to cyclists. The local rides, which comprise the national event, always occur on the 3rd Wednesday of May at 7:00 pm. Since the first gathering, the Ride of Silence has grown into a national and even international event. For 2016, there are 269 rides scheduled around the world in 36 countries – many more will be added to the list before May 18th. The RABA Ride of Silence joins those already planned in Virginia for the Cities of Harrisonburg and Hampton Roads.
Persons that attended the very first ride found it to be both moving and inspirational. I have twice participated in previous Rides of Silence and concur with that sentiment. The riders are instructed to pedal at a leisurely speed not exceeding twelve miles per hour. While that makes it sound like a mere social event, the slow reverential pace and the power of silence transform it into extraordinary personal experience.
This year’s thirteen mile ride will be led by RABA member Connie Jackson (CJ) and begin and end in the parking lot of the Willow Lawn Shopping Center just south of Panera Bread. Plan to arrive and be ready to assemble by 6:30 pm. That will allow time for a prayer and recognition of local persons who’ve lost their lives. There will also be instructions specific to the ride and a distribution of cue sheets. The ride should be completed around 8:00 pm and interested attendees are invited to visit one of watering holes at the shopping center when finished. Participants are required to wear a helmet, have a head light and tail light.
The ride is free – you do not need to be a RABA member to join in – so bring a friend! Registration is not required, but for logistical reasons it would be good to know how many people plan to attend. Use the following link to register: http://www.viethconsulting.com/members/evr/reg_event.php?orgcode=RABA&evid=14187099
I have been able to find the names of the following area cyclists that have died in the last two years after being hit by an automobile: Fedora M. Henderson, Kristina Goodrow, Wendell Davis, Carrie Wortham and Lanie Kruszewski. If additional names need to be added to this list please send them to: palanjohnson@hotmail.com.
Remember, “Alone we are but a whisper, together we shall speak loudly through a Silence that will resonate around the world.”
Looking forward to seeing (but not hearing) you at the ride.
-Paul A. Johnson, RABA President