The Ride of Silence is a free ride, hosted in cities worldwide, that honors those cyclists who have been killed or injured while doing what we all love so much. It also aims to inform motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways.
RIDE OF SILENCE IN CAPE TOWN:
We will meet from 9am onwards at the Mouille Point Lighthouse on Saturday 19 May, and depart at 10am for a gentle, silent & law abiding 20km cycle around Sea Point, Cape Town CBD & the V&A Waterfront to pay respect to fallen cyclists & demonstrate to fellow road users that we can co-exist.
We never ride faster than 20km/h, and always have a sweeper at the back of the field. We’ve had children as young as 3 join in previous years, and people of all ages cycling. Any bicycle is fine, and any cycling gear or clothing. BUT, remember the rule of ‘no helmet no ride’.
THE HISTORY:
The 2003 Ride of Silence™ at White Rock Lake in Dallas drew 1,000 cyclists through word of mouth and email communication over a period of only ten days. There was no registration and no fees. Local media reported the ride to be incredibly moving as these cyclists rode in silence, occasionally wiping away a tear or patting a friend on the back.
Chris Phelan, a friend of Mr. Schwartz and the person responsible for starting this initiative, thought the ride was a one-time event. However, as word got out other cyclists began to contact him with a desire to do the same thing in their own communities.
MISSION STATEMENT:
The mission of the world wide Ride of Silence is to honor bicyclists killed by motorists, promote sharing the road, and provide awareness of bicycling safety. Put another way…
WHY DOES THIS ORGANIZATION EXIST?
* To HONOR those who have been injured or killed
* To RAISE AWARENESS that we are here
* To ask that we all SHARE THE ROAD
