RIDE OF SILENCE - MAY 19

Please join Fox Valley Bicycle & Ski Club as we participate in the international Ride Of Silence on May 19th at 6:30 pm. This is an international event that aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways.

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MISSION

As described by the Ride Of Silence Organization (founded 2003), the mission of the Ride Of Silence is to honor bicyclists killed/injured by motorists, promote sharing the road, and provide awareness of bicycling safety.

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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 has several goals:

• To HONOR those who have been injured or killed

• To RAISE AWARENESS that we are here

• To ask that we all SHARE THE ROAD

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The ride, which is held during National Bike Month and in combination with the League of American Bicyclists and Ride Illinois, is a chance to show respect for and honor the lives of those who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways.

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According to the League of American Bicyclists, over 700 cyclists are killed on the road every year in the U.S. In northeastern Illinois, bike fatalities rose from 12 in 2019 to 26 in 2020, due to not only the biking boom, but also vehicles traveling at higher speeds.

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HISTORY

In May 2003, Chris Phelan organized the first Ride Of Silence in Dallas, Texas after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was hit by the mirror of a passing bus and was killed. The ride was a solemn event, to remember Larry and all cyclists killed while riding their bikes. It was only supposed to be a one-time event, but as word got out about the ride, many cyclists contacted Chris with the desire to participate in this event.

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Now in its 18th year, the Ride Of Silence has grown into an international event that is held on the same date. For 2021, there are 117 confirmed rides throughout the world, including the United States, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Mexico, Romania, Tanzania and Turkey. In Illinois, 10 rides are scheduled on the same date and time in Arlington Heights, Bloomington, Chicago, Downers Grove, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Evanston, Mount Prospect, Ottawa, Rock Island and St. Charles (FVBSC).

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The Ride Of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 10-12 mph, complete an 8-12 mile route, wear helmets, follow the rules of the road and remain silent during the ride. There are no registration fees and EVERYONE is invited. All are welcome on any type of bike.

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REGISTER FOR THE RIDE

OUR RIDE OF SILENCE

Riders will gather at the Kane County Government Center, 719 Batavia Avenue, Geneva, IL at 6pm. A poem will be read, tributes will be issued, and then cyclists will ride at 6:30 pm in a silent, solemn, single-file procession through Geneva and St. Charles. Cyclists who have lost loved ones in accidents will wear a black arm band and cyclists who have been hit by vehicles will wear a red arm band.  Armbands will be provided by the club and cyclists are welcome to keep them as a remembrance of the event. Riders are asked NOT TO SPEAK during the entire ride, but arm signals will be used.

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The Ride Of Silence is similar to a funeral procession. The ride will focus on safety and be short and slow (7 miles, 10-12 MPH). There will be no talking, only silence, to remember our fallen brothers and sisters. Cyclists are asked to wear helmets, subdued clothing (illumination devices such as safety vests or reflective clothing are a good idea), front and rear lights are recommended, and tributes to injured/deceased cyclists are welcome (signs, posters, flowers, etc.).

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Please register as soon as possible to get a headcount for our insurance rider and to notify local authorities.

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To learn more, please visit http://www.rideofsilence.org/main.php

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TRIBUTES

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• Mr. Helmut Jahn who was hit by two cars on May 8, 2021 traveling opposite directions at the intersection of Old LaFox and Burlington Road in Campton Hills Township. Mr. Jahn was not a club member but participated in our club’s annual Swedish Days Ride. Mr. Jahn reportedly did not stop at the stop sign, which raises our awareness about the need to practice safe cycling. In response to this tragic event, the Fox Valley Bicycle & Ski Club has appointed a Safety Ambassador, Pat Sweeney, to help us improve cycling safety through education. 
• Club member Mr. Ed Foster was hit by a car in 2019 on a club ride. Ed was standing behind a car on his bike when the car shifted into reverse and knocked him down.
• Club member Mr. Richard Fischer was hit and knocked to the ground by a car in 2018 while crossing the intersection of Winfield and Geneva roads. Mr. Fischer sustained a shoulder injury. Driver was making right turn on red without noticing the bike crossing. Mr. Fischer recommends to always make eye contact at intersections to get drivers' attention.
• Club member Dr. Willard Hooks Jr was struck by a car in 2016 in Geneva, dragged 84 feet and spent 2 years recovering from life-threatening injuries. The driver was convicted of a felony as the crash was intentional.
• Club member Paul Rudden’s sister, Ms. Rosaleen "Rose" Rudden Waters was killed in 2013 while crossing Higgins Road in Schaumburg’s Busse Woods Forest Preserve.
• Club member Donna Buchholtz was hit by a car in 2007 as she crossed inside a crosswalk at Halsted and Taylor in Chicago. Donna suffered a crushed pelvis, broken leg, disc compression and extensive bruising.
• Club member Daniel Saathoff’s mother, Ms. Caroline Moorman Saathoff was stuck by a car in 1970 while riding in Burlington, Iowa and died in Iowa City two days later.
• Club member Mr. Ralph King who was hit by a truck and sustained life-threatening injuries.
• Mr. Chris Goebel was hit by a car in 1977 in Lombard, missing his left leg by inches. Chris was taken by ambulance to the hospital unconscious. Chris has avoided roads and only ridden the Prairie Path since 1974.
• John Roberts was killed in 1976 in Lake in the Hills while riding his bike to school. He was 8 years old. Club member Karie Beverly knew John and frequently rode with him to school but that morning she decided to walk instead.
• Several other FVBSC members who have been hit by cars and suffered broken bones and other injuries

If you know of someone who has been killed or injured while riding a bicycle, please send their name and the date of the incident to president@fvbsc.org. We will be sure to include his/her name in our opening poem.

REGISTER FOR THE RIDE

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35991198