A ride to honor, mourn, raise awareness, demonstrate safe riding, and show our strength
The Ride of Silence, now in its 10th year, is meant to honor people injured and killed while riding bikes, to raise awareness of people using bikes on our streets, to demonstrate responsible road sharing, and to show that we are a powerful constituent group that is growing in numbers.
On Wednesday, May 15th bicyclists of every type will gather at Dippy the Dinosaur in Oakland, a location rich in history in Pittsburgh’s bicycle community, it being the meeting place for bike rides from Critical Mass to Flock of Cycles for well over a decade. This ride in particular is occurring in the lead up to the May 21 Democratic Primary, an election that the next Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh will likely be elected and one that the local bicycling community is poised to make a huge difference in determining the outcome. While the Ride of Silence will be just that, the message will be loud and clear:
We bike, we vote, and we demand more resources be devoted in terms of both dollars and manpower to making our streets safe for everyone who uses them.
Our community is resilient, but in no way are we apathetic. Visit the Facebook page of the event.
Ride of Silence Details
Wednesday, May 15th
6:15-6:45pm: Gather for the ride at the dinosaur (corner of Forbes and Schenley Dr) at the museum in Oakland. Sign in only to invoke liability insurance for the event (required by the national and local organizers).
6:45pm: Listen to stories from victims and their families about why this movement for safe streets is important
7pm: Ride of Silence begins. The route will be a slow and easy 10 miles winding through the East End of Pittsburgh, rolling by as many mayoral campaign offices as we can as well as crash sites to honor the victims. [Map of the Ride Route]
Between 8pm and 8:30pm the ride will conclude.
How We Ride in Pittsburgh
Double file, side by side, keeping to a single lane, and to the right of the yellow line where it exists. Stop and wait at all red lights – we’re a big group and will undoubtedly be breaking up and regrouping as we go along. If there is slower traffic in the lane, we’ll just wait for it. Please bring bikes in good repair, as there will be no official mechanical support or transportation. Helmets are mandatory for all participants.
This ride takes place on city streets, with potholes, surface hazards, motor vehicles and other cyclists riding in close proximity. Participants must use their own judgement and be responsible for their own safety. If at any time, you feel that you can no longer participate safely, please pull off the route and wait until the rest of the ride has passed.
History and Expectations
• On the third Wednesday of May around the world, bicyclists 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 in 2003 after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was killed by a passing bus mirror on an empty road
• The Ride of Silence is a free ride that asks its riders to ride at a slow pace and remain silent during the ride
• The ride hopes to raise bicycling awareness during bike month to motorists, police, traffic engineers, insurance companies, and city officials. The ride is also a chance to honor and mourn, in funeral procession style, those who have already been killed and injured
• The ride requests black arm bands be worn, red only if you have had a bike/motor vehicle crash. Helmets and lights mandatory.
***There are no fees charged anyone to participate.***
Pittsburgh Ride of Silence Contact for 2013: Jim Logan, jimlogan@verizon.net
Check for any updated information on this ride either at wpwbikeclub.org or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/
The Pittsburgh Ride of Silence is endorsed by This ride is endorsed by Western Pennsylvania Wheelmen, Pittsburgh Major Taylor Cycling Club, Allegheny Cycling Association, Flock of Cycles, Pittsburgh Masters Velo Club, and Bike Pittsburgh
The endorsers and organizer are bearing no responsibility (financial or otherwise) for the ride. By endorsing it, we are simply stating we believe in the stated goals. Ride at your own risk.
NEWSLETTER