Seattle Area Ride of Silence

Triathlon Forum
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**Go to your calendar - pen this ride down. Don’t do it for me. Do it for yourself. This is your chance to make a real commitment to your sport and life choice. Damn, that’s preachy. Then, forward this email to every contact you have who rides. Get it posted on every web site. Go by your bike shop and put it up. If you live outside Seattle, organize this ride in your community. Okay, this is preachy. One of my dearest and oldest friends got cratered by a careless taxi. Another was run down by an uninsured rider who ran a light. Another, one of the most noble souls that I knew, got killed by a crazy out of control driver near Redmond. Another club leader, more recently, was massacred by a driver doing a drag race. Let’s not forget the wonderful man who got knocked over and almost killed in South Seattle by a driver and his passengers who found the even “funny.” The list is long and each of us has had a near death experience. It’s time to stand up and get noticed. It’s time to remember those who were killed and those who have nearly been killed. ** I am tired of being attacked by cans and apples, by cars who feel that we don’t belong and see it as a game to get right next to us and scare the living hell out of us, by cars who honk while we are trying to proceed carefully through traffic, or the drivers who see us as impediments to their right to get to a corner seconds before us and turn without signaling or without thought to us. **** Please come to the Ride of Silence and let everyone know about it. Invite all of your fellow riders, teammates, colleagues, etc. If you belong to a team or special group, please circulate this to them. I am not the “leader.” I am just a volunteer. Louise K got me involved, and we are working together with other volunteers to get this organized. We need day of ride coordinators, folks to contact officials and clubs, etc. **** Wednesday, May 17 - Ride of Silence Ride Start and Finish: Gas Works Park Please do not park at Gasworks - ride to the start and park at least a quarter of mile from Gasworks. We want to use as much of the parking space at Gasworks as possible to gather what we hope will be a very large group. Meet at: 6:30 p.m. There is no sign up, no t-shirts and no sponsorship. This only done for us.
Start at: 7:00 p.m. Distance: 14 Miles.
Pace: Limited to 12 mph - slow and silent Terrain: Flat
Rain Policy: No cancellation
Cue Sheet: No
Ride Leaders: No official ride leaders - we will use volunteer ride coordinators to assist.

Ride Description: This 14 mile loop from Gasworks to Downtown Seattle to the U District will hopefully become the largest participatory cycling event ever to take place solely within Seattle. On May 17 at 7:00 PM, the Ride of Silence will begin all over North America and roll across the globe. When it started in 2003, 1000 riders participated in Dallas to honor a bicyclist killed on public streets. Cyclists will emerge from Gasworks in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, motorist often are not aware of our rights or sometimes not even aware of us. This is a national event, http://www.rideofsilence.org/main.php. This ride is supported by the Seattle Bicycle Club, the Cascade Bicycle Club, Bicycle Alliance of Washington, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and many other bicycle clubs, teams, organizations and most importantly volunteers. Please tell your friends. We want as many cyclists to participate as we possible. Volunteers are welcome. Just let Louise Kornreich (louisek@jtnews.net), Ken Kato (denshion@gmail.com) or Gary Strauss (gstrauss@gsblaw.com) know if you are willing to help. We want to make this ride widely known. We want all of you to write your federal, state, county, police and city officials, ask them to join the ride, tell them about its mission, and ask for their support of bicycle, pedestrian and other alternative transportation options.

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Check here for a Ride of Silence in your area.

http://www.rideofsilence.org/locations.php

Some samples:

California
Albany
**Contact: ** Tom Ayres ← Send email **Distance: ** 10 miles **Notes: ** Location: US Post Office on Solano Ave (several blocks east of San Pablo Ave) out at 7:00pm on May 17, 2006. Slow ride through Albany and North Berkeley.

Modesto
**Contact: ** Louis Levin ← Send email **Distance: ** 10 miles **Notes: ** We will start at Moose Park, 7:00PM ride over the bridge and connect with Dry Creek Trail to Claus Rd. then return back along the trail to Moose Park. A slow 10 mile ride in Memory of our fellow cyclist.

Petaluma
**Contact: ** Rick Moeller ← Send email **Distance: ** 9 miles **Notes: ** Start/Finish: Applebox, Petaluma Mill 224 “B” St. (Riverfront), Parking @ “D” / 2nd. Route: “B” St, Rt on Petaluma Blvd, Rt on McDowell Blvd, Rt on Caulfield, Rt on Lakeville St, Lft on “D” St, Rt on Petaluma Blvd, Rt on “B” St, Finish at Applebox.

San Diego
**Contact: ** Frank Paiano ← Send email **Distance: ** **Notes: ** Meet at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17th, at the corners of India Street and Washington Street near El Indio’s just off I-5 south of Old Town. Slow, flat, solemn ride through Old Town and then Downtown SD. Bring a black arm band and bike light.

Santa Monica
**Contact: ** Brian Hodes ← Send email **Distance: ** 10 miles **Notes: ** Meet at Helens Cycles @ 6:30. Ride out @ 7:00. Helens to Ocean, rt to San Vincente and back. This ride is to honor all of our fellow riders who have been killed on the road. Please submit names to be read prior to ride.

Colorado
Colorado Springs
**Contact: ** Charlotte Miller ← Send email **Distance: ** TBD **Notes: ** Will start at Old Town Bike Shop, 246 S Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Denver
**Contact: ** Steve Cantar and Doris Rigoni ← Send email **Distance: ** 10-12 miles **Notes: ** Meet at South High School (1700 East Louisiana Ave) at 6:45 pm across from Washington Park.

Louisville
**Contact: ** Bonnie Bucher ← Send email **Distance: ** TBD **Notes: ** Meet at Scott Carpenter Park in Boulder at 30th & Arapahoe Streets

Illinois
Arlington Heights
**Contact: ** Gary Gilbert ← Send email **Distance: ** 10.5 Miles **Notes: ** Ride leaves from Recreation Park, 500 East Miner, Arlington Heights, IL. 7PM.
Sponsored by: Arlington Heights Bicycle Association (www.cyclearlington.com) and Village of Arlington Heights Bicycle Commission

Chicago
**Contact: ** Elizabeth Adamczyk ← Send email **Distance: ** 10 miles **Notes: ** Start Locations: Meet at Daley Plaza (corner of Dearborn and Washington), then ride a 10-mile loop (LESS THAN 12 MPH) along the bike/jogging path. For more information, visit the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation calendar of events page.

Joliet
**Contact: ** Sara Jo Briese ← Send email **Distance: ** 8-10 miles **Notes: ** In memory of Jan Briese, killed May 26, 2005 while leading a Joliet Bicycle Club ride on a Thursday morning as she did for the past 12+ years. Ride rolls promptly at 7 pm from the Joliet Memorial Stadium, 3000 W. Jefferson Street (RT 52) so please arrive early. We will honor the memory of all fallen cyclists at 6:45 pm. Submit names of fallen cyclists to be remembered to: Sara Jo Briese, sjbriese@yahoo.com or (815) 521-0311.

Indiana
Indianapolis
**Contact: ** Michael Avey ← Send email **Distance: ** 10 miles **Notes: ** Ride starts precisely at 7:00 pm. Plan to arrive early to assemble and ride as one escorted unit. We will bike an easy-paced 10-mile loop starting and ending at Oaklandon Christian Church on the norteast side of Indianapolis. See www.oaklandoncc.org for more details, including a map and directions to the start. The 2006 Indianapolis-area ride invites participants to submit names for our day-of Honor Roll to ros2006@comcast.net. We will read these names at 6:55 pm before beginning the ride.

Kansas
Leavenworth
**Contact: ** Mark Soderlund ← Send email **Distance: ** 10 miles **Notes: ** Sponsored by the Leavenworth Bicycle Club. We will ride about 10 miles in honor and memory of our friends.

Wichita
**Contact: ** Don Kramer ← Send email **Distance: ** 12 Miles **Notes: ** This ride endorsed by the OZ Bicycle Club of Wichita. Meet at Northwest Christian Church, 10850 W.21ST North. ( Just West of Maize Rd. on 21st ) This is a ride to build strengh and stamina. Slower pace, no one left behind. Contact: Herb Bahm 722-5595 or Don Kramer 722-1705.

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I second Sparticus’ recommendation of this ride. I did it last year in Dallas and its really something. Several miles of cyclists of all shapes and kinds (roadies, triathletes, MBers, fixies, BMXers, bikes from cheap to ridiculously expensive) riding slow and quiet.

It might interfere with a training ride or run or swim for an hour or so, but its worthwhile, particularly if your ride is large enough to get media attention.

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Bump

Seattle people - let’s spread the word.

A reminder of WHY there is a Ride of Silence.

Bicyclist killed by car on trail identified

P-I STAFF

A bicyclist killed by a speeding teenage motorist has been identified as Marvin Gene Miller, 58, of Seattle.

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office said Miller died from head injuries suffered when he was struck by a car Friday.

Witnesses told police a red Ford Thunderbird sped north on state Route 99 and appeared to be racing another vehicle.

The driver tried to change lanes on a curve in the highway, lost control, jumped a curb and hit Miller head-on.

**At the time, Miller and a friend were riding their bicycles south on the bicycle trail along Highland Park Way Southwest. **

The friend with Miller told police they had no time to react to the speeding vehicle.

The driver of the car, a 17-year-old Seattle teen, admitted he was driving at about 80 mph when he lost control of his car. He denied racing anyone.

Bystanders tried to treat Miller, who was taken to Harborview Medical Center, where he died. The teen driver was taken into custody for investigation of vehicular homicide, then released into the custody of his mother. The case remains under investigation.

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PLEASE!!! Don’t let this become the typical Critical Mass ride…

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Past rides of silence have all been very peaceful - We need to be mindful this this is a mourning for fallen cyclist.

I just can’t stop thinking about the guy who died. He was not even riding on the road - he was on a seperate bike path - some speeding 17 year old killed him.

How do you think his kids feel?? How do you think his wife feels?? How do you think his best friend feels??

How would YOUR wife feel if it was you who died?? How would you feel if it was YOUR wife, or Your Best Friend, or YOUR Dad that was killed???

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Bicyclist Struck By Car Dies

October 10, 2005

By KOMO Staff & News Services
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SEATTLE - A Bellevue dentist who was injured while she was riding her bicycle has died, and a man being held on hit-and-run charges will likely be charged with vehicular homicide, police in this Seattle suburb said.

Gail A. Alef, 54, of Redmond, who was struck by a car Sept. 18, died Sunday at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, police said.

King County prosecutors said Monday they expect to decide within two weeks whether to file additional charges against Steven Edward Riedel, 58, who was taken to Western State Hospital for a mental evaluation at the request of his lawyer. Bail was set at $100,000.

Riedel, initially charged with vehicular assault and felony hit-and-run, will probably be charged soon with vehicular homicide, police officer Stacey P. Holland said.

Investigators said Alef and some friends were riding on a street west of downtown Redmond when a **Nissan 300ZX coming from the opposite direction hit the curb and veered across the median toward them. Five other bicyclists got out of the way, but Alef hit the curb, fell and was run over. **

Riedel, arrested about 15 minutes later at the Willows Run Golf Course, left the scene on foot and removed his pants, shoes and socks to try to disguise his appearance, police wrote.

**He told police voluntarily that he had taken alcohol, marijuana and antidepressants the night before the accident, and marijuana and smoking paraphernalia were found in the car, according to police reports. Toxicology tests were pending. **

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Bump
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Sparticus,

we have discussed this already. The idea is worth it…However, it seems that the org. are advocating to ride 6 to 8 abreast. Which means blocking traffic.

The drivers that do not care about cyclists are likely to now be angry at us for blocking the road. In most state, riding more than 2 abreast is actually illegal.

Not only are we likely going to make drivers more upset with riders, but in the process, we are also breaking the law.

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If you ride 2 abreast on one traffic lane which is actually legal, at least in FL in the event there is not a bike path then you are going to block the lane anyways and cars will have to go around to pass you either on the second lane or against incoming traffic.

If you get city permit for the ride it wont be illegal, same as when a RD get permit for a race. I think in Miami they are trying to get city permit.

Peace

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Past rides of silence have all been very peaceful - We need to be mindful this this is a mourning for fallen cyclist.

I just can’t stop thinking about the guy who died. He was not even riding on the road - he was on a seperate bike path - some speeding 17 year old killed him.

How do you think his kids feel?? How do you think his wife feels?? How do you think his best friend feels??

How would YOUR wife feel if it was you who died?? How would you feel if it was YOUR wife, or Your Best Friend, or YOUR Dad that was killed???

How would you feel if you made one mistake as a 17 year old and had to pay for it for life? It’s terrible that this occured, but if you are truly compassionate then you should also feel for an immature kid who was doing what 90% of kids do when they get their license, but had bad luck select him.

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Seattle has a permit.

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I do not know about elsewhere…

In Seattle – it is a closed 14 mile loop. Permit has been obtained - this was negociated through the city of Seattle – works well with the 7:00 PM start - it will still be light out here in Seattle and Rush Hour traffic will be over.

In Seattle – this is less of a “Protest” and more of an Awareness raising event - the more cyclist the better - I would love to see this on the evening news and in the newspapers.

So many people do not “See” cyclists – are off in thier own world - If we can just get a few to wake up - then the event is worth it.

As I said before – the two main supportes of this ride - the Cascade bicycle club and the Seattle bicycling club are great orginizations – they advocate “Share the Road” – which means Cars share with bicycles AND BICYCLES SHARE WITH CARS. They push and push for bicycles to follow the rules of the road.

There was another post on a group ride where they blew through a red light – Cascade and Seattle bike club would encourage the police to ticket ALL of those riders – and I do too. These clubs go to schools to teach kids to follow the rules of the road and obey traffic laws. These clubs offer classes to beginner cyclists on how to ride - which includes following the rules (and laws) of the road. These clubs go to the state senate and house and promote bicycling.

Events like the ride of silence will give these clubs the oppurtunity to not only honor the fallen cyclists but to raise awareness to the general public that cars are killing cyclists, to promote safety of people who are driving, AND for every single bicyclist that shows up - they will get an education on how to ride in traffic which includes Following the rules of the road.

Let me ask you this – What have you done??

Have you stood before city council, stood before the state senate, and asked they to pass laws to protect cyclists??

Have you given classes to cyclists, teaching them to obey the law on the road??

Have you spoken to non-cyclists about sharing the road with bicycles - to teach them in a nice manner how to share the road – Most motorists do not know that the NUMBER ONE car to bike accident is a car making a RIGHT hand turn into a bike - which means they PASS the bike, then turn into them – When a motorist learns this, they realize a bike is traveling way faster than they thought - it gives them pause enough to SEE the bike and yeild the right away to the bike.

I am a construction guy - we have weekly safety meetings - I brought this up in a safety meeting - a couple of days laters a truck driver comes up to me - he tells me how he passes a bike and was about to turn into the yard when what I said flashed into his mind - he looked in his right side mirror and there was the cyclists - so the truck driver thanked me for “Saving his insurance rate”

Hey - at least the cyclists didn’t die or was injured.

I have stood before city council, I have stood before the state government, I have given classes, I spoke with the swim team I coached about watching for cyclists, I have given safety talks at work, I have passed out a brochure that on one side teaches motorists how to share the road and on the other side teaches bicyclists to share the road with cars.

Are YOU going to just bitch and complain about that car that almost hit you??

Are YOU going to whine and cry when you do get hit, or your wife, or friend?

Are YOU going to give up and just sell your bike??

or are YOU going to do something about it??

14

Who the hell do YOU think you are?
I made a perfectly valid point! So cut the crap dude.
Yes, I was hit several times. Yes I had friends that were hit included two that died, so cut the ‘look what I am doing’…

There is nothing on the website that says anything about closed roads. My point is still valid. Unless roads are closed, it’s freaking stupid. It’s only going to anger motorists.

Francois

15

I apologise for my anger.

I too lost a close friend - I too have been hit.

After the death of my friend - I have become sensitive on this subject. I sometimes go over board.

I have channeled much of my sadness and passion into doing what I can to help educate - which is why I give talks at work - support groups like cadacade and BikeEd that go to schools and teach bicycle safety.

Like I said - Please accept my apology for going over board.

In Seattle - we are trying to do things correctly - getting the permit - using the event to educate rather than create more animosisty.

16

In Addition:

I really want people to stand up for bicycing rights - to help educate others about sharing the road - both car with bikes and bikes with cars.

I know I go over board sometimes and have the wrong effect – so actually - thanks for keeping me reined in.