Participants gather on the Michigan Tech campus to begin the 2008 Ride of Silence on May 21. (Photo © 2008 Philip Smythe. Reprinted with permission.)HOUGHTON -- This year's Ride of Silence, on May 21, attracted 75 cyclists of all ages (the oldest was 78!) who rode to commemorate all bike riders who have lost their lives or been injured while riding on public roadways.
"Best ride yet," said Terry Smythe, fitness director of Keweenaw Memorial Rehab and Fitness Center. "The weather was cloudy and 52 with a north wind so it was cool riding."
Bike riders, young and old, participate in the Ride of Silence on May 21 in Houghton. They wear orange t-shirts to call attention to the need for safety on roads and awareness of cyclists' rights to use the roads. (Photo © 2008 Philip Smythe. Reprinted with permission.) Riders rode in silence at a maximum of 12 m.p.h., with a Houghton Police escort.
"We are fortunate that we have not had a death up here since Nick Bell died 4 years ago on July 23 in Keweenaw County," Smythe added. "We do need to continue to encourage people to ride safely and defensively and obey traffic rules when riding as much as we need drivers to respect our right to share the road. It's an uphill battle in Michigan, but we are making strides."
Smythe noted the gas crisis is forcing people to walk and ride more and increasing their awareness of bike safety, yet motorists still need to be on the lookout and respect bike riders.
Lori Hauswirth, organizer of local community bike rides and races, writes, "This is a great event with a great mission: To RAISE AWARENESS that we are here (and) to ask that we all SHARE THE ROAD."
Bike riders in hundreds of locations worldwide participate in this international event. Visit the Ride of Silence Web site for more information and reports from various group participants in the 2008 event.
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