After a resoundingly successful Bike to Work Week, it's time to refocus and get ready for Wednesday night's (May 20) Ride of Silence. If you only make it out to one organized bike ride this year, this is the one to do. Mentioned last week as well, the Ride of Silence is an international event, held in cities all over the world. There's no registration, no fee, no t-shirt, just a slow, silent, funeral-like procession throughout Columbus.
The purpose is to honor the memories of cyclists who've fallen throughout the year, cyclists whose only crime was to ride their bikes (and in the case of this year, trikes), and to remind motorists that we're here, we're riding, and we have rights.
In Columbus, we'll be riding to remember 2009's victims of motorist excess:
- Dr. William Crowley, the TOSRV cyclist who was killed by a hit and run driver.
- David Hines, the 70-year old tricyclist who was rear-ended and killed on Karl Road.
- Tracy Corbin, the man who was riding to work on Alum Creek Road, fully lit, and was hit by a driver.
And of course, let's not forget about Michael Sonney and Andres Gonzales, who were also honored in the 2008 ride, and Andrew Starinchak, who has been honored every year of the Columbus ride after his death in 1998.
If you'd like to see pictures and a report from last year's ride, click here!
Also, I found an archived site from the old COBAC (now Consider Biking) with pictures and details of all the rides since the beginning.
Also, I found an archived site from the old COBAC (now Consider Biking) with pictures and details of all the rides since the beginning.
People, not speed.
Elaine and Andy Starinchak will also be at the Ohio Statehouse for the 2009 Ride of Silence in honor of their son, Andrew Starinchak, who was killed by a motorist while cycling on Central College Road on August 1, 1998.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this. Andy's name has been added to the list in the post.
ReplyDeleteIs there a route for this ride? A few of us want to join, but due to previous commitments can't be downtown until 7:15. Is it appropriate for us to join in?
ReplyDeleteExcellent question! I'm sure no one would have a problem with you joining in halfway, but I don't know what the plan is for the route. I'll ask around and post something as soon as I know.
ReplyDeleteThe route basically starts at the state house, goes north on High then east on Long. Just before I-71 it cuts back south to Broad and back to High. From there it goes north to Lane Ave. They used to go further north but the construction on High makes that a bad option. Right on Lane, then right on Summit. Take Summit down to 1st Ave, then back to High Street. And from there it's more or less back to City Hall's parking lot, via Gay Street.
ReplyDeleteHope you can join in!
Tracey Corbin was killed by a man in a Pontiac who "did not see him", not by a semi.....Tracey is in an unmarked grave in Glen Rest, or at least it was unmarked the last time I stopped to pay my respects....
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brent. I've made the change above. For some reason it was in my head that it was a semi.
ReplyDelete