This month marks the 10th Anniversary of the Ride of Silence:
On Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at 7:00 PM, the Ride of Silence (now celebrating its ten-year anniversary) will begin in North America and continue to roll across the globe. Cyclists will take to the roads in a slow, 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, the motoring public often isn’t aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves. The Ride of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph, wear helmets, follow the rules of the road, and remain silent during the ride. There are no sponsors and no registration fees. The ride, always held on the 3rd Wednesday of May, during National Bike Month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also a chance to show respect for, and honor, in funeral procession style, the lives of those who have been killed or injured.
Chris Phelan organized the first Ride Of Silence in Dallas in 2003 after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was killed by a passing bus mirror on an empty road. Since its inception, the ride now includes 318 listed locations worldwide.