'Rides of Silence' to honor accident victims, promote safe cycling

Each year, bicycle riders in the U.S. have been killed or injured while riding on public roadways.
 
The Akron Bicycle Club (ABC) invites all bicyclists to participate in a slow- paced bike ride in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 and in coordination with the World Wide National Ride of Silence (www.rideofsilence.org).  The Akron event will especially honor two of the club’s cyclists, Matt Billings and Jim Lambert, who were both killed in an automobile/bicycle crash in September of 2015.
 
As an international event, the Ride of Silence has taken place in various locations across the globe since 2003. ABC will begin its Ride of Silence in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park at Botzum parking lot, 2928 Riverview Road, in Cuyahoga Falls. Cyclists will gather at 6:30 pm., and, after brief remarks and safety reminders, at 7 p.m. riders will be led on a 7-mile route, escorted by two Cuyahoga Falls patrol cars. The ride is intentionally solemn and slow paced, with cyclists going no faster than 12 mph and participating silently. In keeping with the importance of the occasion, other area cycling groups are also welcome to participate.
 
Cyclists will have the option of continuing to ride after the ceremony, although there will be no police escort. Ride sheets showing the extended route will be provided after the formal ride.
 

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Contact: Marilyn Shea-Stonum with the Akron Bicycle Club, for more information at (330) 618-8900.

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All cyclists must wear bike helmets, obey all traffic laws, and they may not use ear buds or cell phones while participating in the ride.