Pittsburgh's 2nd Annual Ride of Silence - MEMORIAL DAY (Monday 5/30) 6:45 AM (Morning) 26th& Sidney (behind REI)
Jim Logan
Who: Cyclists -- road, recreation, commuter, race, triathlon. All who legally share the road.
What: The Pittsburgh arm of the worldwide Ride Of Silence™ bike
rally. See http://rideofsilence.org
Why:
• to honor those cyclists injured or killed on public roadways
• to raise awareness of cyclists on the road
• to demonstrate responsible road sharing
• to show that cyclists are not going away
When: Monday , May 30 , 20 2011 , 6: 45 AM . We roll out at 7:00 AM sharp.
Pittsburgh start location: Southside - 26th & Sidney (behind REI).
Route is 10 miles, roughly http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/34042598/
THE RIDE OF SILENCE WILL NOT BE QUIET
• On
the third Wednesday of May around the world, cyclists will take to the roads in
a silent protest of the carnage taking place on the streets. (In Pittsburgh, we ride
on Memorial Day mornings!)
• 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 cyclists to ride at a slow pace and
remain silent during the ride.
• The ride hopes to raise cycling
awareness during bike safety month to motorists, police, traffic engineers,
insurance companies, and city officials. The ride is also a chance to mourn, in
funeral procession style, those who have already been killed.
• The ride
requests black arm bands be worn, red only if you have had a bike/motor vehicle
accident. Helmets are required; bright clothing and lights are highly
recommended for the ride home. There are no fees charged anyone to
participate.
How we will ride in Pittsburgh:
•
Double file, side by side, keeping to a single lane, and to the right of the
yellow line where it exists. (Most of the roads we will use do not have lanes
wide enough to safely share) 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 required. Ipods and the like are frowned
upon.
• Children aged 12 and under should be in trailers, trail-a-bikes,
tandems or the like, not riding independently.
• 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.
Pittsburgh Ride of Silence Contact for 2011: Lyle Seaman
(lwse...@hotmail.com)
The Pittsburgh
Ride of Silence is endorsed by Western Pennsylvania Wheelmen, Bike Pittsburgh,
and the Pittsburgh Major Taylor Cycling Club.
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.