Kona cyclists gather for Ride of Silence

Big Island bicyclists participated in the Ride of Silence on Wednesday, honoring cyclists injured or killed by motorists while riding on public roads.

Sixteen participants rode in total silence south from West Hawaii Civic Center on Ane Keohokalole Highway, down Palani Road, taking a pit stop at the Kona Police station before heading back up Kealakehe Parkway to the Civic Center. It was a slow-paced ride, with riders going no faster than 12 miles-per-hour.

The event, organized by Hawaii, Coffee Talk Riders and Hawaii Cycling Club, also raised awareness of bicyclists’ rights to the road and reminds the public to share the road with aloha.

“There is much that can be done to prevent such accidents and improve the climate for cycling on the Big Island,” Hawaii Cycling Club president Daniel Hodel said. “But unless motorists are held accountable, no matter who they are, everything else we do is rendered meaningless.”

A second event was held on the east side of the Big Island, organized by organized by PATH and the East Hawaii cycling community.

It is a yearly international event, typically held during National Bike Month. Last year, more than 10,000 riders participated in 315 events in 49 states and on seven continents.

More photos from the Ride of Silence event are on PAGE 4B