Big Island bicyclists participated Wednesday evening in the Ride of Silence, honoring fellow cyclists injured or killed by motorists while riding on public roads.
Big Island bicyclists participated Wednesday evening in the Ride of Silence, honoring fellow cyclists injured or killed by motorists while riding on public roads.
The event, organized by Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii, Coffee Talk Riders and Hawaii Cycling Club, also raises awareness of bicyclists’ rights to the road and reminds the public to share the road with aloha.
It is a yearly international event, typically held during National Bike Month. Last year, more than 12,000 riders participated in 372 events in 26 countries. Chris Phelan organized the first Ride of Silence event in 2003 in Dallas after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was hit by the mirror of a passing bus and killed.
Almost 50 participants rode in total silence Wednesday from the playground at Old Kona Airport Park to the Kealakehe Police Station and back. It was a slow-paced ride, no faster than 12 miles per hour. It was also a chance to show respect and honor for all cyclists, including those whose lives were lost.