On Thursday May 27th Donald Parker, 52, of Clearfield Rd, Hampton Twp, was struck by a car and died while commuting (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10148/1061316-54.stm) . The Western PA Wheelmen are endorsing a Ride of Silence (http://www.rideofsilence.org/main.php) that will ride portions of Don’s commuting route. We will start at the Waterworks Mall in Fox Chapel and ride to the Intersection of Harts Run Rd and Saxonburg Blvd. At that point the we will turn around, and the official Ride of Silence will start, as Don was struck and killed climbing the hill on Harts Run Rd from Saxonburg Blvd to Dorseyville Rd. Approximately there-and-back mileage is 16 miles.

Donald Parker was captain of the Aptech MS150 team.

You are encouraged to wear a black arm im memoriam of riders killed, and a red arm band if you have been injured by a motorist.

Plan:
– We assembly at the Waterworks Mall Parking in Fox Chapel lot near the Dollar Bank end of the parking lot at 6:45 AM, leaving at 7:00 AM.
– We ride the 8 miles to Harts Run Rd and Saxonburg Blvd.
– Those who wish to ride a shorter distance should meet us at the intersection of Harts Run Rd and Saxonburg Blvd at approximately 7:45 AM.
– On the return, we will ride silently from from Saxonburg Blvd to Harts Run Rd in memory of Donald and other riders killed by vehicles.
– We will ride as a group, slowly there and back, at least until we get to the top of the descrent back down Fox Chapel Rd.
– Please treat this ride with the dignity it deserves.
– Helmets required.
– We will recruit road marshalls for the front and rear of the group the day of the ride.

What is a Ride of Silence?
Cyclists riding slowly (no faster than 12 MPH) in silence (public assembly) and support of the below goals:
o Mourning those cyclists killed or injured
o Cycling is not going to be chased or intimidated off the streets we legally share
o Cyclists want only to share the road with motorists
o Making motorists aware of the life long legal, as well as life changing, problems that can ensue from killing a cyclist

BikePGH encourages you to support:
The bill that has been proposed in PA is a 4-foot passing law – please call your state reps and senators to support them:

(HB1110) require motorists give four feet passing clearance and (HB1109) makes recklessly endangering bicyclists a misdemeanor . Contact your State Senator asking to support (SB776) which is the Senate version of the four foot passing bill.