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15th Annual Ride of Silence

  • 05/15/2019
  • 7:00 PM (UTC-04:00)
  • Behind WAWA, Dartmoth Rd. & Coastal Hgy (Rt. 1)

Sussex Cyclists’ Fifteenth Annual

Ride of Silence Wednesday May 15

Sussex Cyclists, a nonprofit group of cyclists that promotes bicycle safety and coordinates rides

throughout Coastal Sussex County, will organize its Fifteenth Ride of Silence (ROS) on Wednesday, May 15. The ride will begin at 7:00 p.m. from the parking lot off Dartmouth Road behind the Wawa on southbound Route One. Cyclists of all abilities are invited to ride this silent cycling procession of about eight miles at a pace no faster than 12 mph. Sussex Cyclists Ride of Silence organizer Michael Tyler said that rides begin in North America at 7:00 p.m. EDST and roll silently in cities and towns in all 50 states and more than 375 locations worldwide including Canada and 24 other countries and on all seven continents across the globe. “Cyclists ride in a silent procession in memory of those who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, however the motoring public isn't aware of these rights, and sometimes they are not even aware of cyclists either,” he said.

The Sussex Cyclists ROS will be escorted by a Troop 7 State Police team. Cyclists will ride in he shoulder lane south on Route One from the Wawa to the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal bridge where they will travel under the highway and then head north returning to the starting point in less than an hour.

Ride founder and avid cyclist Chris Phelan organized the first the Ride of Silence in Dallas, Texas when endurance rider Larry Schwartz was killed when he was hit by the mirror of a passing bus. That first ride drew 1,000 cyclists through word of mouth and e-mail communication in fewer than 10 days. There was no registration or sign-up fee. Local media reported the ride to be incredibly moving as these cyclists rode in silence, occasionally wiping away tears or patting a friend on the back.

The ROS is a free ride that asks cyclists to ride slowly and in complete silence. Cyclists must wear helmets and follow the rules of the road. There are no sponsors and no registration fees. The ride, which is held during National Bike Month, aims to promote "Share the Road" and raisehe awareness that cyclists have a legal right to ride on public roadways. The ride is also an opportunity to show respect for and honor the lives of those who have been killed or injured by motorists while cycling.

Sussex Cyclists ROS organizer, Bobbi Dunham, requests riders to report to the parking lot around 6:30 for a pre-ride briefing, photos and to sign a ride waiver. She said “Because this ride promotes safe cycling, riders must wear helmets. Also, it is important that that bikes have headlights on the handlebars and flashing rear lights.” For information go to the Sussex Cyclists web site: sussexcyclists.org or contact Bobbi Dunham at btdunham@comcast.net


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