Ride of Silence

The following was posted by Bobby Cann in Bicycollective on May 10, 2013

“Before I overextend myself with the why, here’s the what:

This Wednesday (May 15) is the tenth anniversary of the Ride of Silence, a free, annual ride to raise awareness for cycling and honor those who’ve been injured or killed while riding. Cyclists start to arrive at Daley Plaza’s eternal flame around 6pm and the ride departs at 7 along an 8-mile course past many of the city’s ghost bikes. The ride takes a steady, leisurely pace (with very sympathetic Police accompaniment) and is completed in total silence, save for victims’ stories told beside their ghost bikes.

If you’re not familiar with ghost bikes, you’ve certainly seen one: they’re all-white bikes permanently chained in place as memorials for cyclists who’ve lost their lives nearby.

I imagine the why was somewhat obvious from the what, but I’d like to add the following:

There are many great group rides in Chicago and many great reasons to ride in them all. For me, group rides help strengthen my bond with our strong, supportive cycling community – a bond that sticks with me when I’m all alone on the road. The Ride of Silence is clearly special in its purpose and execution, and it makes the ties that bind us cyclists all the more stark. So, whether you’re riding in memory of someone lost or want to strengthen your bond with the community, this is a great ride.

Plus, it’s supposed to be in the 70s.”

Bobby participated in the Ride of Silence on Wednesday, May 15, 2013. Exactly two weeks later, almost to the hour, as Bobby was biking home from work, he was killed by a driver who was allegedly drunk and speeding.

NEXT RIDE OF SILENCE: MAY 21, 2014