Fourth Annual Richmond Ride of Silence to Honor Injured or Killed Bicyclists and Promote Safer Streets
(PRWEB) May 20, 2014 -- Community members, city officials and cyclists from across the Bay Area will join a worldwide movement this Wednesday with the fourth annual Richmond Ride of Silence. Last year, there were over 300 locations in all 50 US states and 18 countries including Antarctica, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Caribbean, China, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, and Spain.
In Richmond, the ride will honor those who have been seriously hurt or killed while bicycling with stops at several locations where cyclists have been seriously injured or killed over the past years. The route will feature areas where the City of Richmond has implemented or is developing bicycle safety improvements.
“The recent decrease in violent bicycle collisions and increase in ridership throughout Richmond show that people are responding to the City’s bicycle improvements. We hope to work with the community to continue to address their needs for equitable, safe transportation options,” says Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin.
Held during National Bike Month, the Ride of Silence aims to raise awareness among the community that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways and ask we all share the road.
“Many of our residents use bicycles every day in Richmond for both recreation and their primary means of transportation. Safety is a primary concern and this ride is intended to recognize these needs in Richmond. One death or injury is too many,” says Najari Smih, local organizer of Rich City Rides and the Richmond Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
A brief vigil and welcoming comments will commence 5:00 pm in front of City Hall in Richmond’s Civic Center Plaza. The Richmond ride will commence at 5:30 pm and there will be an optional post ride celebration to the Off the Grid food trucks in nearby El Cerrito that all our welcome to join.
Participating cyclists will be asked to travel no faster than 12 miles an hour, observe the rules of the road, and remain largely silent. Helmets are required. Uniformed bicycle officers from the Richmond Police Department will be escorting the ride.
Shasa Curl, City of Richmond, CA, http://www.richmondhealth.org, +1 510-412-2091, [email protected]
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