Ride of Silence is Tonight

The KMK Cycling Club is hosting the annual Ride of Silence tonight, starting at 7 p.m. at the Lower Harbor in Marquette.

Cyclists around the world will take to the roads in a silent bike ride to honor those who have been injured or killed riding a bike and raise awareness of bicyclists on the road. The ride will begin at the Mattson Lower Harbor and continue along the Lakeshore, Hawley, Sugarloaf, Tracy, Elizabeth Harden Circle, Third, Washington Streets, Baraga, Lakeshore and back to the Lower Harbor.

The Ride Of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph for no longer than an hour, and remain silent during the ride. The event 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. Helmets are required; bright clothing and lights are highly recommended for the ride home.

According to www.rideofsilence.org, Chris Phelan organized the first Ride of Silence in Dallas in 2003 after endurance cyclists Larry Schwartz was killed by a passing bus mirror on an empty road. Phelan is looking for as many cyclists as possible to join in one of many locations in the US, Canada, Australia, Europe, South and Central America and the rest of the world. Last year there were 324 locations in all 50 U.S. states, and 24 countries and 7 continents.

For more information contact Mark Hagar, Ride of Silence, Vice President, (USA Director, Tribute Ride Coordinator), Mentor Ride of Silence, MI Director, 2005-2012 Grand Rapids MI USA Organizer at mark.hagar@rideofsilence.org or (616) 835 7056.

The local KMK Club can be reached at kmkcycling@gmail.com

KMK’s mission is to provide and promote fun and friendly opportunities for members of all abilities to enjoy the numerous benefits of riding a bicycle and to expand the sport of cycling in the Marquette area.